Doha, September 30 (QNA) – Qatari-owned Arabian horses made an impressive start for the racing action associated with the 2022 renewal of the Qatar Prix de lArc de Triomphe, as they topped the two Arabian races for fillies and colts at Saint Cloud, Paris yesterday. Al Shaqab Racings NOUR AL MAURY took the Gr1 PA Qatar Arabian Trophy for Fillies and Al Wasmiyah Racings AL GHADEER dominated the Gr1 Qatar Arabian Trophy for Colts. In doing so, the two 3-year-olds have declared themselves the leaders of their generation, re-confirming Qatars leadership in Arabian racing worldwide.
Nour Al Maury (Azadi x Nectarina Al Maury) led home a 1-2 for Al Shaqab Racing in the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Pouliches (Gr1 PA), with Mezown (Al Mamun Monlau x Mizoon) coming in second by of a length. Ridden by Faleh Bughenaim, who was taking his first Gr1 PA win in France, the 3-year-old Purebred Arabian filly jumped steadily out of the stalls and settled towards the rear of the field. The race was led by Jara’ah Athbah (Mahabb). In the straight, the eventual winner came up the stands-side rail with the majority of the field, with Al Doha leading on the far side. Nour Al Maury came steadily up to the lead, hitting the front alongside No Tear Al Maury with less than 400 meters left to run. She pulled clear of her competitors at the 200-meter post, chased by her colour companion, but victory was assured in the final 100 meters. The Mrs JF.Bernard-trained Mezown was ridden by Ioritz Mendizabal, while the third placed, No Tear Al Maury, owned by Khalifa Bin Sheail Al Kuwari and trained by X. Thomas-Demeaulte was ridden by Mickael Barzalona.
This was a fifth win in this race for trainer Thomas Fourcy, who commented: “She had an easy prep coming into the race. We wanted to keep her calm, and to let her find her rhythm. She wasnt upset by the movement in the race. Shes a good filly, and she found the right spot in the straight. Jerome Cabre has done a great job with her.” Following the race, HE Issa Bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi, QREC Chairman, crowned the winners.
AL GHADEER (Al Mourtajez x Gharraa) gave a demonstration of sheer class in the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Poulains (Gr1 PA), winning by 2 lengths – a margin that belies the ease of his victory! In the colours of Al Wasmiyah Racing, he was drawn of the outside of the fifteen-runner field. He jumped calmly, and was settled in the second half of the racing pack by jockey Christophe Soumillion, before progressively making his way up to mid-division. The race was led by Monaasib (Dahess x Salaama). On the rail in the final turn, he was perfectly poised to join the front-line runners as they came across the track to the stands side rail. Once in the straight, he changed legs, and once balanced was asked by his jockey to step up the gears. He responded willingly, taking a convincing lead with 200 meters left to run.
The finishing stages were mere formality, as he was well clear of his rivals. Sheikh Khalaf Rabah Alshammari’s MADRASSA (No Risk Al Maury x Jamaheer) was runner up for trainer D. Guillemin and jockey Jean Bernard Eyquem. Helal Alalawi’s JOE STAR (Al Mourtajez x Guest del Falot) finished third for trainer T. Fourcy and jockey Cristian Demuro
Trainer Francois Rohaut was full of praise for his charge: “He’s quite simply the best of his generation. He is a class above the rest. Even if this ground isn’t as much to his liking as when he ran in Deauville. He has only raced three times in his life, and still needs experience. He’s a sound, well-mannered colt. He has everything to be a champion. Christophe Soumillon gave him a great ride, and he has had a good lesson from this race. He could go to Doha this winter, but his owners will make that decision.”
After the race, Hamad Bin Abdulrahman Al Attiya, Vice Chairman of QREC and Chairman of the Asian Equestrian Federation, presented the trophies to the winners.
On the other hand, the QREC-sponsored Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend will be the focus of attention worldwide today and tomorrow at ParisLongchamp with very rich racecards and many Gr1 and other blacktype races, which have an extensive international character, on both days.
Four-year-old Arabian mares will be vying for the Qatar Arabian Trophy with 12 mares contesting for the Gr1 PA title, including five mares for Qatari owners. Al Shaqab Racing’s Al Wakrah (TM Fred Texas x Majida) will be ridden by Faleh Bughenaim for trainer E. Lemartinel. Al Wasmiyah Racing’s Monda (No Risk Al Maury x Mhaya) will be guided by Jim Crowley for trainer X. Thomas-Demaulte. Mohamed Bin Fahad Al Attiyah will be represented by Sahab (AF Albahar x Manella) who will contest with the cooperation of trainer T. Fourcy and jockey M.Barzalona. H.E. Sheikha Iman Bint Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani’s Majoie des Forges (Al Tair x Djamuze des Forges) will have C. Demuro in the saddle for trainer Mme JF Bernard. HE Sheikha Yasmeen Bint Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani’s Heelywa (No Risk Al Maury x Al Shahania Aseala) will be in the fray as well with trainer F. Rohaut and jockey Maxime Guyon.
Sunday will be the big day at Longchamp with a nine-race card, including seven Gr1s and the most coveted of these are the Gr1 AP Qatar Arabian World Cup, which is known as the world championship for Arabians, and the iconic Gr1 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. (QNA)