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RG Kalifa wins first race of the 2024 Wathba Stallions Cup
The five-year-old chestnut mare, RG Kalifa, won first place in the Special Prize Maria Helena Vidal – Wathba Stallions Cup for Colts & Fillies, held on Saturday, April 20, at Cidade Jardim Hippodrome.
The race, held over 1,200 meters on turf for 3-years-old and older with up to two vic-tories, had the participation of nine animals and was the first on the international Arabian horse racing calendar in 2024; was organized by the Arabian Horse Breeders Brazilian Association (ABCCA), in partnership with the Jockey Club of São Paulo.
Under the guidance of jockey Jeffecleone Bispo, RG Kalifa demonstrated dominance from the start of the race. However, the adrenaline increased in the final meters as Olympicka Rach closed in, closing the gap as she crossed the final lane.
“I was confident because she had performed well in previous races and in training this week. We started well and when I took the lead and managed to put RG Kalifa at the pace I wanted and enter the straight ahead of the others it was certain that we would win. I am very happy to win the first international race and I want to thank the trainer Estanislau Petrochinscki and the breeder Cláudio Ribas”, said Bispo.
Despite the challenge, RG Kalifa maintained his lead and won the race with a difference of ¾ to Olympicka Rach, ridden by jockey Gabriel Santana. Completing the podium in third place was Gulliver Rach, ridden by the jockey who holds the world record for victories, Jorge Ricardo, who said: “It is very important to be able to encourage and participate in Arabian races. I’ve already won a few races and it’s always great to be able to be present at the opening race of the international calendar at the Jockey Club of São Paulo.”
RG Kalifa (Cáceres CSM x Caldas CSM by Pavel Rach) is bred and owned by Cláudio Roberto Guimarães Ribas, from the State of Paraná, and is trained by Estanislau Pet-rochinski.
Almir Ribeiro, Racing Director of ABCCA, highlighted the importance of this race as an inaugural event on the international calendar. “The Arabian horse racing season began in January and we have already held six races so far. The latter marks a significant achievement, being the first race to have international sponsorship and be included in the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival calendar.”
“Our deep and sincere thanks to HH Sh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, Minister of the Presidential Court and Chairman of the Emirates Racing Authority for his visionary insight into the future of Arabian horse racing in the world and especially the dedication and affection that Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the Festival, has for Brazil and for the breeders of the Brazilian Arabian horse.”
According to Ribeiro, throughout this year, 24 international races are scheduled until the end of December. “The expectation is that, during this period, 30 animals of the Purebred Arabian breed will participate in the races in Cidade Jardim.”
The race at the São Paulo Jockey Club was held in honor of Maria Helena Vidal, ABCCA public relations; who turned 80 with more than half of them dedicated to the Arabian horse.
“It was a race in honor of Maria Helena Vidal, whose life story is intertwined with that of the Arabian horse in Brazil. She is one of the most important and relevant figure in the history of this breed and that is why we decided to honor her on her birthday with this race”, said Almir Ribeiro.
During the delivery of a plaque in honor of Maria Helena, Francisco Carrasco, president of ABCCA, expressed his recognition: “An award more than deserved, after all, the passion and dedication she has for the Arabian horse are impressive. I remember her I was very pleased with my first visit to ABCCA, in 1979, and the person who welcomed me was Maria Helena. For everything you do for the breed, for the association, for the breeders, we are immensely grateful!”
The Prêmio Especial Maria Helena Vidal – Wathba Stallions Cup for Colts & Fillies was organized by the Arabian Horse Breeders Brazilian Association in partnership with Jockey Club of São Paulo.
The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Horse Racing Festival is sustained by the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture & Tourism coordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, with The National Library & Archives as the official partner, Mubadala as the official partner & sponsored by Al Massood Automobiles Nissan, Areej Alameerat, Omeir Travels Agency, YAS Sports TV, Viola Communications, the UAE’s General Women’s Union, Emirates Arabian Horse Society, Emirates International Endurance Village and Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.
1 RG KALIFA (Cáceres CSM x Caldas CSM by Pavel Rach), J: Jeffecleone Bispo, T: Estanislau Petrochinski, B/O: Cláudio Roberto Guimarães Ribas.
2 OLYMPICKA RACH (Bismarck Rach x Olympia Rach by Aicyng AHRA), J: Gabriel Santana Ap2, T: Lucas Quintana, O: Agropecuária Ilha da Chapada Ltda. B: Rach Stud Agropecuária Ltda.
3 GULLIVER RACH (Bismarck Rach x Guinevere Rach by Mister Eros HX), J: Jorge Ricardo, T: Estanislau Petrochinski, O: Eduardo Iared, B: Rach Stud Agropecuária Ltda. 1 Rach Stud Agropecuária Ltda.
4 RG ERA (RG Karat x RG Kasta by *Sarmata), J: Wellinton Ariel, T: Estanislau Pet-rochinski, O/B: Cláudio Roberto Guimarães Ribas
5 FLÓRIDA RACH (Bismarck Rach x Fiorella Rach by *Polonez), J: Danilo Novais Ap3, T: Lucas Quintana, O: Agropecuária Ilha da Chapada Ltda., B: Rach Stud Ag-ropecuária Ltda.
6 SERAFINA RACH (Bismarck Rach x Seresta VE by Feitizzo Rach), J: André Ro-drigues Oliveira, T: Lucas Quintana, O: Rodrigo Storani Saliba, B: Rach Stud Agrope-cuária Ltda.
7 VIVINA RACH (Bismarck Rach x Vaneska Rach by Mister Eros HX), J: T. Silveira Ap2, T: Lucas Quintana, O: Ricardo Jamil Saliba, B Rach Stud Agropecuária Ltda.
8 OMARA RACH (Rhondo Rach x Obsession Rach by Voltaire Rach), J: Rudinick Viana, T: João Bosco, O: Stud Spartacus, B: Rach Stud Agropecuária Ltda.
9 HOLANDA RACH (Rhondo Rach x Helvina Rach y bEksort Rach), J: Idevaldo Silva, T: Lucas Quintana, O: Rodrigo Storani Saliba, B: Rach Stud Agropecuária Ltda.