Sheikh Fahad wins Charity Race for second year

Sheikh Fahad rode Brutal to victory in the final leg of the 2017 Corinthian Challenge Charity Race Series at Leopardstown on Sunday, giving Qatar Racing and Gordon Elliott a quick charity race double after Pallasator won the John Shortt Legends Challenge Race at Punchestown on Thursday.

After winning the corresponding race on Labaik in 2016, Sheikh Fahad again successfully teamed up with Gordon Elliott when riding his own Brutal to victory on Sunday.

A dozen horses and riders lined up for the race, and Brutal was usurped as favourite just before the off by his stablemate Ibsen, who had only been confirmed as a runner on the morning of the race after he was initially a reserve. However, Sheikh Fahad was alive to his chief danger and tracked Ibsen throughout, before making a sweeping move around that gelding as the leaders turned into the home straight.

Sheikh Fahad edged 3-year-old Brutal to the front at the top of the home straight and the pair never really looked like being caught thereafter, Sheikh Fahad just giving his mount a few reminders to keep him up to his work, the pair hitting the line with a length and three quarters to spare over Circling Moon. Ibsen finished third and long-time leader Edification held on for fourth.

It was a third success in the saddle for Sheikh Fahad as he also won the 2016 Town Plate on Newmarket on board Almagest.

The Corinthian Challenge Charity Race Series sees 14 riders compete in four races at the Curragh (over the Irish Derby course and distance), Gowran Park and, of course, Leopardstown, and last year it raised over €120,000 for Irish Injured Jockeys. More details can be found by clicking here.