By M. Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter
Published: July 09, 2009, 22:46

Fryvolous showed his class and won the Abu Dhabi
International Stakes sponsored by the Emirates
Equestrian Federation.

Newmarket, England: Trainer Rod Simpson watched Fryvolous struggle a bit as the champion Purebred Arabian negotiated the final furlongs on the uphill July racecourse here in Newmarket but the son of Dormane showed his class as he pulled away to win the Abu Dhabi International Stakes (Group 2) sponsored by the Emirates Equestrian Federation.

It was a winning debut in Europe for the Dubai Kahayla Classic winner owned by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Simpson was pleased and said he was looking forward to the next big test here in Europe for his six-year-old gelding.

"The Shadwell Dubai International Stakes [Group 1 PA] at Newbury Racecourse on July 19 is the next target and the opposition there is really top class," said the Al Asayl trainer.

Earlier Daragh O'Donohoe stayed off the pace in this Group 2 race and when he started the run with about two furlongs to go, El Rigoletto, owned by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance was travelling well.

But Fryvolous, though a bit rusty, did not disappoint the packed racecourse. Wednesday's Abu Dhabi International Stakes (Group 2) was part of the card which also featured the Etihad Airways Falmouth Stakes (Group 1) won by Goldikova.

The races were attended by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Princess Haya Bint Al Hussain, Shaikh Mohammad's wife, and Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.