Gazwan the Great Conquers World Cup at Chantilly

Arabian Horse World Gazwan the Great

Conquers World Cup at Chantilly

by Steve Andersen

photos by Juhaim

F

with Arabian Horse World.

inally, one of the fellas came through in the $1.17 million Qatar Arabian World

The Qatar Arabian World Cup brought together the best field of Arabian racehorses this

Arabian World Cup was Gazwan’s finest hour in a career that began in 2014. Along the way, there have been major stakes wins, notably the Group 1 Dubai International Stakes at Newbury

many as five lengths.

With less than a quarter-mile to go, Ba’sil

Cup for Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al

year and lived up to expectations, with Gazwan prevailing by a head over Yaseed, who was a

in 2015 and two major races in Qatar in recent years — the Emir’s Sword of 2016 and the

was caught by Gazwan, who was challenged

Thani of Qatar and trainer Julian Smart.

head in front of Ebraz, another runner owned by Sheikh Mohammed and trained by Smart.

Qatar Gold Sword in April of this year.

by Yaseed on his inside and Ebraz to the

After three wins in the rich race with fillies

The Qatar Arabian World Cup was one of seven Group 1 races at Chantilly on October 1.

Gazwan was winless in two starts in Europe in the summer, finishing second in the Dubai

outside. The three raced as a team through the

and mares in the last six years, the six-year-

The other six races were for Thoroughbreds, including the $5.9 million Prix de l’Arc de

International Stakes at Newbury, England, in July and third to Ebraz in the Qatar Cup at

final eighth of a mile, with Gazwan winning

old Gazwan (Amer x Arc de Ciel by Djendel)

Triomphe, Europe’s top race. Enable, a three-year-old filly, won the Arc de Triomphe. The

Chantilly on September 10. That changed for Gazwan at Chantilly on October 1, with what

narrowly. In the early stretch, Smart thought

prevailed in a thrilling race at Chantilly

Qatar Arabian World Cup was the third race on the program and was followed by the Arc.

can be described as a career-best performance. Ridden by Maxime Guyon, Gazwan was part of

Ebraz would win because of “the way he was

a field of 16. Guyon had Gazwan in fourth-place for the first mile of the race at 2,000 meters,

traveling,” he said. “I should have known

or 1 ¼ miles, chasing the Smart-trained Ba’sil, who ensured a quick pace with an early lead of as

better than to ignore the Gaz!” The win

Racecourse north of Paris on October 1. “He’s

Gazwan was second in the 2015 running of the Arabian World Cup and fourth last year,

a warrior, for sure,” Smart said in an interview

losing both times to the mighty Al Mourtajez, who was not part of this year’s field. This year’s

154 b ARABIAN HORSE WORLD b NOVEMBER 2017

155 b ARABIAN HORSE WORLD b NOVEMBER 2017

Gazwan the Great

Conquers World Cup at Chantilly

by Steve Andersen

photos by Juhaim

F

with Arabian Horse World.

inally, one of the fellas came through in the $1.17 million Qatar Arabian World

The Qatar Arabian World Cup brought together the best field of Arabian racehorses this

Cup for Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al

year and lived up to expectations, with Gazwan prevailing by a head over Yaseed, who was a

Thani of Qatar and trainer Julian Smart.

head in front of Ebraz, another runner owned by Sheikh Mohammed and trained by Smart.

After three wins in the rich race with fillies

The Qatar Arabian World Cup was one of seven Group 1 races at Chantilly on October 1.

and mares in the last six years, the six-year-

The other six races were for Thoroughbreds, including the $5.9 million Prix de l’Arc de

old Gazwan (Amer x Arc de Ciel by Djendel)

Triomphe, Europe’s top race. Enable, a three-year-old filly, won the Arc de Triomphe. The

prevailed in a thrilling race at Chantilly

Qatar Arabian World Cup was the third race on the program and was followed by the Arc.

Racecourse north of Paris on October 1. “He’s

Gazwan was second in the 2015 running of the Arabian World Cup and fourth last year,

a warrior, for sure,” Smart said in an interview

losing both times to the mighty Al Mourtajez, who was not part of this year’s field. This year’s

154 b ARABIAN HORSE WORLD b NOVEMBER 2017

Arabian World Cup was Gazwan’s finest hour in a career that began in 2014. Along the way, there have been major stakes wins, notably the Group 1 Dubai International Stakes at Newbury

many as five lengths.

With less than a quarter-mile to go, Ba’sil

in 2015 and two major races in Qatar in recent years — the Emir’s Sword of 2016 and the

was caught by Gazwan, who was challenged

Qatar Gold Sword in April of this year.

by Yaseed on his inside and Ebraz to the

Gazwan was winless in two starts in Europe in the summer, finishing second in the Dubai

outside. The three raced as a team through the

International Stakes at Newbury, England, in July and third to Ebraz in the Qatar Cup at

final eighth of a mile, with Gazwan winning

Chantilly on September 10. That changed for Gazwan at Chantilly on October 1, with what

narrowly. In the early stretch, Smart thought

can be described as a career-best performance. Ridden by Maxime Guyon, Gazwan was part of

Ebraz would win because of “the way he was

a field of 16. Guyon had Gazwan in fourth-place for the first mile of the race at 2,000 meters,

traveling,” he said. “I should have known

or 1 ¼ miles, chasing the Smart-trained Ba’sil, who ensured a quick pace with an early lead of as

better than to ignore the Gaz!” The win 155 b ARABIAN HORSE WORLD b NOVEMBER 2017

Gazwan (Amer x Arc de Ciel by Djendel) won the $1.17 million Qatar Arabian World Cup on October 1 at Chantilly. Gazwan is owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani of Qatar, is trained by Julian Smart, and was ridden by Maxime Guyon.

was worth $585,000 in Europe’s richest race for Arabians.

Yaseed (Munjiz x Al Dahma by Amer)

after the Arabian World Cup where they will

in September.

Ebraz (Amer x Massamarie by Tidjani) was rightfully favored in the Qatar Arabian

be based with Smart’s stable through the winter and early spring.

Smart won the Arabian World Cup

was brilliant despite just missing for owner

World Cup on the basis of an outstanding

Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani of

season that included a win in the Emir’s

with Areej in 2011, Mkeefa in 2012, and

Qatar and trainer Alban de Mieulle. Yaseed

Sword in Qatar in February. Smart has

Djainka Des Forges in 2014. Those races

was second to Ebraz in the Qatar Cup

described the four-year-old Ebraz as “a super

were run at Longchamp Racecourse on the

horse” in the past, and

west side of Paris, which has been closed for

was surprised by his loss at

two years while undergoing construction of a

Chantilly. He said a wide

new grandstand. Longchamp is scheduled to

post position may have been

reopen in April, with the Arabian World Cup

a factor.

set to resume there next year.

“As silly as it sounds, I was a bit disappointed with

in the history of the Arabian World Cup, two

his run as he didn’t show

more than Thomas Fourcy and de Mieulle.

the final kick that I know

Smart said winning the Arabian World Cup at

he possesses,” Smart said.

Chantilly in what was likely its final running

“Having said that he is still

at that venue was a milestone.

young and maturing and In the Chantilly paddock Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani of Al Shahania Stud poses with his jockeys for the Qatar Arabian World Cup (from left to right) Marco Monteriso, Maxime Guyon, and Cristian Demuro.

“Chantilly is the home of French racing

the draw of 16 certainly

and it’s a very special place,” he said. “It’s

didn’t help him. He wasn’t

the reason we are now based in Chantilly

exactly beaten far, either.”

for the summers. It’s a special thing to win

Gazwan and Ebraz were shipped to Qatar days

156 b ARABIAN HORSE WORLD b NOVEMBER 2017

Smart leads all trainers with four wins

at Chantilly as there will be only be two runnings there.” Last year, Smart had two

at Newbury, England, in July. At Chantilly, Karimah was eager from the start and led by about six lengths midway through the race before fading through the stretch.

Muneera, who races for Mohammed Al Nujaifi of Iraq, won for the second time in five starts this year in the Trophy des Juments.

She has been first or second in all of her races. De Watrigant said a rain-soaked turf course worked in Muneera’s favor. “I think that Muneera is better than Jamaheer on soft ground,” he said. “Muneera is a filly that stays the distance. Here at Chantilly, it’s a testing track and that made the difference.

“Jamaheer found herself in front a bit too soon, but that wasn’t her jockey’s fault. She is in good form, but she weakened a little in the finish. Still, we have finished first and second.

Above: Munnera (Dormane x Hamiya

by Al Hasim) won her first stakes in the $117,000 Qatar Total Arabian Trophy des Juments for four-year-old fillies on September 30 at Chantilly. Munnera is owned by Mohammed Al Nujaifi of Iraq (pictured accepting trophy), trained by Damien de Watrigant, and ridden by Christophe Soumillon. His son Zaid Al Nujaifi is on the left, and next to him is Val Bunting who cares for Dr. Nujaifi’s breeding stock at her farm in France.

It’s hard to imagine any better.”

The previous day at Chantilly, on September 30, Munnera (Dormane x Hamiya

by Al Hasim) won her first stakes in the $117,000 Qatar Total Arabian Trophy des Juments for four-year-old fillies.

The Arabian World Cup was the last

following day, the Trophy des Juments at 2,000 meters had an epic finish. Muneera

runners in the race, finishing fourth with

prevailed by a head over Jamaheer (Mahabb

Gazwan and last of 15 with Reda. “It’s been a

x Ziva by Dormane), who was a head in front

very tough race to win,” he said.

of Almaa (Amer x Nyriad by Dormane). The

Gazwan will be pointed toward the Emir’s Sword in February, a race likely to be on the schedule for Ebraz, too. Smart

first two finishers are trained by Damien de Watrigant.

Christophe Soumillon was aboard

remarked that getting Gazwan to the winner’s

Muneera and gave the filly a cool ride. She

circle at Chantilly was not easy. “We have

was sixth in the field of 10 for the first mile

had lots of physical problems with him in the

and moved closer to early stretch leader

last year or so, and have used an extremely

Almaa without urging with less than a

good physio on a regular basis for him, which

quarter-mile remaining.

has aided him tremendously,” Smart added.

The first three were close through the

“You can guarantee with him he’s going to be

final 300 meters. Jamaheer led briefly in

there or thereabouts. You can’t ask for more

the stretch, while Almaa did not fade from

than that.”

the duel. Muneera took the lead with about

In 2018, Gazwan’s biggest threat may be

100 meters to go and prevailed narrowly

his highly regarded stablemate Ebraz. “He’s

over Jamaheer, who could not sustain

still a maturing four-year-old, so by the time

her advantage.

he’s an old man like Gazwan, who knows,” Smart said.

Similar to the Arabian World Cup the

The surprise performance in the race was the ninth-place finish by Karimah, who

Enable, a three-year-old Thoroughbred filly, won the $5.9 million Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, and gets a big kiss from jockey Frankie Dettori. Enable is owned by Khalid Abullah’s Juddmonte Farms and is trained by John Gosden.

was second in the Hatta International Stakes 157 b ARABIAN HORSE WORLD b NOVEMBER 2017

of four major stakes for Arabians in the final

race that day, Easter de Faust (Mahabb x

days of September and on October 1 at Saint-

Ayisha de Faust by Al Sakbe) won her first

Cloud Racecourse on the far west side of Paris

stakes in the $117,000 Qatar Arabian Trophy

and at Chantilly.

des Pouliches for three-year-old fillies.

On September 29, Rajeh (Jaafer ASF x

Rajeh, who races for Sheikh Mohammed

Easter de Faust (Mahabb x Ayisha de Faust by Al Sakbe) won her first stakes in the $117,000 Qatar Arabian Trophy des Pouliches for three-year-old fillies on September 29 at Saint-Cloud.

Easter de Faust is owned by Sheail bin Khalifa Al Kuwari, (raising trophy) trained by Elisabeth Bernard, and was ridden by Christophe Soumillon.

Bertras rode with confidence. He kept Rajeh in seventh until the top of the stretch,

Nelka by Tidjani) won the $117,000 Qatar

bin Khalifa Al Thani and trainer François

which runs for more than a quarter-mile.

Arabian Trophy des Poulains for three-year-

Rohaut, is perfect after three career starts.

With a wide rally, Rajeh moved closer to the

old males at Saint-Cloud. In the following

Rajeh won his career debut at La Teste,

leaders with about 300 meters remaining.

France, in early August and his stakes debut

Bertras gave Rajeh one crack of the whip

in the Group 3 Prix Cheri Bibi at Bordeaux on

with his right-hand in the stretch and got an

September 9.

immediate response.

The Group 1 Qatar Arabian Trophy

In the final sixteenth, Rajeh pulled clear

des Poulains was Rajeh’s first start at 2,000

to win comfortably over Rodess du Loup

meters. Sent off as the favorite, Rajeh handled

(Dahess x Aurore du Loup by Darike), who

the added distance with no difficulty under

was third in the Prix Cheri Bibi. Goumoh

jockey François-Xavier Bertras.

(Jaafer Asf x Djeldora by Dormane) finished third for Sheikh Mohammed and Rohaut.

Rohaut told the press that Rajeh will improve with experience, making his prospects for 2018 all the more intriguing.

“We know he is a good horse and he is even more impressive when maturing,” Rohaut said. “He is getting better race after race. He does not have any issues. He is easy and nice to train.”

Easter de Faust won the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Pouliches in an upset. Joudh, who won the Group 1 Al Rayyan Cup against males at Deauville in August, could only finish fourth as a strong favorite after winning her first four starts.

Above and Middle Left: Rajeh (Jaafer x Nelka) won the $117,000 Qatar Arabian Trophy des Poulains for three-year-old males on September 29 at Saint-Cloud. He is owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani of Al Shahania, trained by François Rohaut, and was ridden by François-Xavier Bertras. Al Shahania also had the third place horse, Goumoh (Jaafer x Djeldora), pictured together with Rajeh and Sheikh Mohammed in the winners circle.

Easter de Faust races for Sheail bin Khalifa Al Kuwari and trainer Elisabeth Bernard. The filly won her debut at Dax, France, in mid-August and was second in her stakes debut in the Group 3 Prix Nevada II at

158 b ARABIAN HORSE WORLD b NOVEMBER 2017

Bordeaux on September 9.

In the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Pouliches, Easter de Faust was ridden by Christophe Soumillon, one of France’s top Thoroughbred jockeys. Unlike Rajeh, Easter de Faust was closer to the pace and proved to be a handful for Soumillon in a race that seemed to have a slow pace.

Easter de Faust was fifth early, but wanted to do more, forcing Soumillon to take a strong hold. Easter de Faust was more settled halfway through the race and turned into the stretch close to the leaders. Given clear running room, Easter de Faust accelerated quickly and took the lead with more than an eighth of a mile remaining.

Easter de Faust won by 2 ½ lengths over Al Ghashamiya (General x Nefertarie

by Mahabb). Najah (Munjiz x Dahwa by Tidjani) was third. Al Ghashamiya is winless in five starts, but has been second in four of those races. Dahwa was a stakes winner in France in 2010. According to Bernard, Easter de Faust is not the easiest filly to train, and needs extra attention. “She is a very good mare who confirms all the good things we think of her,” Bernard added. “A lot of athletes

Scenes from Chantilly

can have issues in their careers, and she’s had a few. The win makes us very happy. She is finally revealing herself.”

The Arabian races for three-year-olds at Saint-Cloud were the top races on that program in what is always the most exciting weekend of Arabian racing in Europe.

Steve Andersen is a correspondent for Daily Racing Form.

159 b ARABIAN HORSE WORLD b NOVEMBER 2017