Tribune News Network
Doha
Following three excellent efforts at the top level since making the transfer to young French trainer Jean De Mieulle, the five-year-old Purebred Arabian FIRST CLASSS (Dahess x Toppoftheclass) carried the colours of his owner Nayef bin Saad bin Sharida Al Kaabi to victory when landing the Gr.1 (PA) Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown at Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club on Sunday.
Partnered by Ronan Thomas and providing his trainer Jean De Mieulle with a poignant moment in his fledging career, the American bred First Classs was recording a third success at Gr.1 (PA) level, following victories in both Doha and Meydan over the previous 12 months.
Held up in mid division through the early stages of the 2,200m contest, which was worth 5,000,000 AED, First Classs travelled well and took closer order on the turn for home.
Coming through to lead inside the final 300m, First Classs pulled clear of the field and went on to score by a length over the fast-finishing the Khalifa Bin Sheail Al Kuwari-owned and Thomas Fourcy-trained Lady Princess (General), who was ridden by Jim Crowley.
The Al Ajban Stables-owned and Abdallah Al Hammadi-trained Hameem (Valient Boy) finished a further three lengths back in third place under Dane O’Neill.
First Classs is a son of Topoftheclass (Genuine Monarch). He began his career in the United States, where he landed a Gr.3 (PA) at Lone Star Park. In the two seasons that followed, the globetrotting five-year-old has competed in five individual countries and has now recorded seven victories.