On her first start in Ireland, the Al Wasmiyah Stud-owned DHABYAH (GB) (Australia x Sola Gratia) won the Western Motors Drogheda (Q.R) Race at Bellewstown (Ireland) on Thursday, 1 July, late evening.

Having her first start for Joseph Patrick O’Brien, Dhabyah recorded a second success in just five career starts.

DHABYAH broke sharply from a wide draw and was quickly switched across by jockey John Gleeson to take a prominent position on the rail. Having taken the lead soon after, DHABYAH set a steady pace and always looked comfortable in front. As the field turned for home, DHABYAH was pressed strongly by the eventual second, the 7-year-old gelding BIG CHALLENGE (IRE) (Sea The Stars x Something Mon), who is trained by James McAuley and was ridden by Lisa O’Neill. However, when asked for an effort, the 4-year-old DHABYAH extended readily to go on and win very comfortably by three lengths at the line. The Emmet Mullins-trained and Barry O’Neill-ridden, 4-year-old gelding, CROWN MAJOR (JPN) (Daiwa Major x Ravarino) stayed on strongly to finish further one and a quarter lengths behind and take third close home in the 2,400m contest for 4-year-olds and older TBs.

Bred by Gestut Karlshof, DHABYAH is out of the unraced mare SOLA GRATIA (Monsun), who is a daughter of SACARINA (Old Vic), the dam of dual-purpose stallion SCHIAPARELLI (Monsun) and also champion German racehorse and sire SAMUM (Monsun), who stood at Karlshof. DHABYAH’s sire Australia stands at Coolmore Stud and is out of top-class racemare OUJIA BOARD.

Source: Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club