The pair Mentor Rach and I. Silva crosses with six lengths of advantage over the second and third place and completes the 1,400 meters in 1:35,419. And the battle for victory was a thrilling one, as Rach Stud’s four horses secured the top four places in the Grande Prêmio Jamil Saliba. Nothing more deserved!
“Mentor is an amazing horse and he knows how to run. It seems that he takes care of himself at the start and then shows his potential by running a lot and leaving the others behind until he crosses in first place happy,” said I. Silva.
Trainer Lucas Quintana commented that “it was an excellent race and this victory had to be ours, after all it is a race in honor of Mr. Jamil Saliba, founder of Rach Stud. Regarding Mentor Rach, I just have to say that he is an excellent horse and is the best Arabian I have ever trained, among the more than 100 horses that have passed through me. He won with a big advantage over excellent and champions horses. It is a horse for international competitions. I’m very happy because it’s the first time we’ve made the top four.”
For his sons, Ricardo Jamil Saliba and Paulo Jamil Saliba, “Our father was always an example and model of dedication because of his love for the Arabian horse. And this Grand Prix has enormous meaning for us. Mentor is a stallion that has proven to be exceptional in races: he competed in six races having won four first places and two seconds and with excellent times. We are very proud of him for being the son of *Sarmata who won seven victories in Poland and grandson of Polonez who also won races in Poland. His race times in São Paulo are compatible with international races and that could give him victory in other countries. Obstinado Rach is part of a new generation of racing horses. He finished second in all three races and in this one he beat other winning horses and we believe he will be a champion.”
According to the Brazilian Arabian Horse Breeders Association’s Racing Director, Almir José Ribeiro, “it is important to emphasize that this traditional race is a tribute to Mr. Jamil Saliba and his family, who, through Rach Stud, have been bred Arabian horses for nearly four decades. And it was exciting to see that his four animals ended up ahead. It was as if they were honoring and revering our dear Jamil Saliba, one of the biggest supporters of Arabian horse racing in Brazil.”
Son of a Lebanese and Syrian, Jamil Saliba has been the biggest supporter of Arabian horse racing in Brazil since its beginning, in the first phase of Arabian races in 1990 and, mainly, in its return since 2013.
The Saliba Family’s connection with the Arabian Horse dates back to the times when Rachid Saliba, Jamil Saliba’s father, competed in Arabian Horse racing in Syria, before immigrating to Brazil. In 1985 the family officially started breeding Arabian horses through Rach Stud, named in honor of their patriarch,, and founded by Jamil Saliba and his sons.
Grande Prêmio Jamil Saliba – International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing is organized by the Brazilian Arabian Horse Breeders Association in partnership with the Jockey Club of São Paulo.
Text: Cidinha Franzão. Photos: Porfírio Menezes
RESULTS
1 MENTOR RACH / I.SILVA Ap1
2 OBSTINADO RACH / J.SEVERO
3 MAHATMA RACH / F.LARROQUE
4 GUNTHER RACH / V.SOUZA
5 RG KEMIR / R.MENDONÇA Ap2
6 RG EL BAK / JEANE ALVES
7 RG KANSAS / A.R.OLIVEIRA
