An emotional Jaci Wickham was left in tears on Sunday in Abu Dhabi after ending a two-year wait for a winner.
Wickham is the longest serving female trainer in the UAE and her success at the meeting arrived, appropriately enough, on International Women’s Day.
The Wickham-trained Marwa W’Rsan achieved victory under Sam Hitchcott to take the trainer’s overall tally to 102.
“It’s been a long time indeed and this result was to celebrate the International Ladies Day,” she said. “It was a huge relief for me and the entire staff at the Al W’Rsan Stables [of the late Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed]. There was a bit of uncertainly for the staff and me after the passing away of His Highness.”
Marwa W’Rsan was denied of a win twice in her last three starts and Wickham said she fully deserved the victory.
“She got beat on the line in her last start and today Sam gave her a beautiful ride to win. Honestly, I started crying," she said. "You just can’t give up in this game. We kept trying. When your time comes, time comes.
“I don’t know where she goes next but she’s run twice in seven days. So, she will go into the paddocks for a week and then we’ll take it from there.
“She ran a good race at Al Ain last season and we’ll see if there is a race for her, if not we’ll let her finish for the season.”
Ibrahim Al Hadhrami saddled a double under two different jockeys to bring up his half-century mark in the UAE.
Polish jockey Szczepan Mazur took the opener on board No Riesgo Al Maury and the Omani rider Shakir Al Balushi landed the fifth race on Thulbaseera Al Jasra to bring up the milestone for the Al Ain-based Omani trainer. “It’s a nice to cross fifty but I’m still a starter in this game,” Al Hadhrami said.
Helal Al Alawi also completed a double under two different jockeys. Al Moatasem Al Balushi won on board Dahess D’Arabie and Mazur took the concluding thoroughbred prize on Autumn Pride for his second winner of the meeting.
