Saudi Arabian apprentice jockey Sultan Almaymuni celebrated a dream European riding debut Friday, winning the Prix International Sister’s Cities – European Association of Racing Schools (EARS) international jockeys apprentice race in France at Deauville Racecourse. Competing against rising stars of the weighing room from around the world, all under the age of 25, Almaymuni’s mount, Prince Des Dunes, won the 1,500m contest by three-quarters-of-a-length from Record The Shaw, ridden by France’s Emilien Puillet-Roda. Commenting on the great achievement, Almaymuni expressed his happiness, saying: “Praise be to God for this victory, which I dedicate to the homeland, to my parents, and to all my brothers on horseback in the Saudi field. “I extend my sincere thanks to Prince Bandar Bin Khalid Al-Faisal, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Supreme Equestrian Authority, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Horse Racing Club, and to Prince Abdullah Bin Khalid Bin Sultan, member of the Board of Directors of the Authority, chairman of the committees artistic, for following them and encouraging me on the field. “The snapshots and pictures that brought me together with Prince Abdullah Bin Khalid are great evidence of our leadership’s interest in and support for all equestrian activities, specifically developing the Saudi racing industry so that we can compete with the world’s best.” Almaymuni, who is 22 years old, confirmed that his goal was to gain more international experience and continue to represent the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia The Saudi rider concluded by saying: “I would like to thank my father, trainer Salem Alfarmawi, who was my biggest supporter, by virtue of his knowledge of the participating horses. It is related to the race and the participating horses.” Almaymuni was attached to horses from a young age and comes from a family whose name has been associated with the equestrian community throughout the history of racing in the Kingdom and the Gulf countries. — SG