Tadhg O’Shea celebrates 'great night' after securing a record five winners in Abu Dhabi

Tadhg O’Shea enjoyed a stunning night in Abu Dhabi after winning five of the six races on Thursday, including the two feature prizes for the Purebred Arabians.

The UAE's all-time leading jockey reeled off a four-timer for Ernst Oertel, including the Group 2 Liwa Oasis on AF Alajaj, and guiding Joe Star to victory in the Group 3 Arabian Triple Crown Round-3 for Emirati trainer Helal Al Alawi.

Oertel paid a glowing tribute to O’Shea as he became the first jockey to win five of the six prizes that were in offer at Abu Dhabi.

5pm: Al Maha Stables – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,400m Winner: AF Alfahem, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oetrel (trainer) 5.30pm: Al Anoud Stables – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m Winner: AF Musannef, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel 6pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,400m Winner: AF Rasam, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel 6.30pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round 2 – Group 3 (PA) Dh 300,000 (T) 2,200m Winner: Joe Star, Tadhg O’Shea, Helal Al Alawi 7pm: Liwa Oasis – Group 2 (PA) Dh300,000 (T) 1,400m Winner: AF Alajaj, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel 7.30pm: Dames Stables – Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m Winner: Silent Defense, Oscar Chavez, Rashed Bouresly

“He’s not 10-time [UAE] champion jockey for nothing,” the South African said. “I really think people don’t appreciate Tadhg’s achievements. If anyone in any sport is a 10-time champion, he is a superstar.”

The five winners took O’Shea’s tally to 52, taking him 12 clear of closest challenger Antonio Fresu in the UAE jockey’s championship, and his all-time victories to 722.

“He’s one of my favourite Arabians and he didn’t let me down,” O’Shea said of AF Alajaj, the Irishman’s fifth winner on the night.

“He’s a very strong traveller and makes life