First Classs Show As Connor Beasley Claims Obaiyah Arabian Classic

DOUG WATSON’S RUNNER ADDS ANOTHER GROUP 1 PRIZE TO AN IMPRESSIVE HAUL

Image: First Classs (USA) and Connor Beasley win the Group 1 USD$2m Obaiyah Arabian Classic Presented by Al Hammadi Hospitals Group for Purebred Arabians. Credit: JCSA

This year’s edition of the Group 1 USD$2m Obaiyah Arabian Classic Presented by Al Hammadi Hospitals Group proved a thriller as Deborah Mihaloff’s UAE-based First Classs (USA) added yet another trophy to his impressive collection.

Trained by multiple champion UAE trainer Doug Watson, the 9-year-old gelding overcame a half-step tardy start to quickly put himself into stalking position, tracking the pace set by well-fancied Saudi Arabian G1 winner Nadem Al Molwk Al Khalediah (KSA) and Omani challenger Madhmoon (OMN).

Switching paths to the inside with about 500m remaining under jockey Connor Beasley, a move that proved crucial for building momentum, he split that pair turning for home, collared the former with about 250m remaining and then asserted himself en-route to a three-and-a-half-length victory.

Vizhir (FR) rallied late up the inside to finish second, one length to the good of Nadem Al Molwk Al Khalediah. The winner also landed four other seven-figure races, including the 2022 Al Mneefah Cup over The Saudi Cup weekend, 2022 Jewel Crown in Abu Dhabi and 2022 and 2025 renewals of the Dubai Kahayla Classic. This was also his fifth G1 win.

Quotes

Connor Beasley, jockey, First Classs, 1st: “A big credit goes to Doug Watson and his team and a massive thank you to owner Deborah, a phenomenal lady. She’s not with us today but I’m sure she’ll be delighted with that result.

“She’s been a good supporter all last year and carried on into this season. He’s a fantastic horse, he’s getting a bit long in the tooth nowadays but he’s still enthusiastic and it’s just showed there today. He was under the pump a long way out but he kept finding all the way, so absolutely thrilled. He’s very determined and pulled it out when I needed him.”

Doug Watson, trainer, First Classs: “Wow, that was some race and one great horse. Prize money-wise, this was the biggest win of my career and equal [in importance] to when we went 1-2-3 in the Godolphin Mile.

“We have taken Drafted and Isolate over and learned from those, but this horse has always been very special. Before he ran three weeks ago, he looked like he was really getting to where he was before the Kahayla [in Dubai] last year and then right after the race, his coat came really well and he was just perfect.”

Xavier Thomas-Demeaulte, trainer, Moshrif, 4th: “He finished really well. It's a really good performance and we are delighted.”

Ricardo Ferreira, jockey, Mutwakel Alkhalediah, 6th: “It’s a good run, tough race. Today he jumped a little bit lazy but we tried step-by-step.”