Qatar International Stakes Guide 2021

Qatar International Stakes Group 1PA

Wednesday 28th July 2021

THE QATAR INTERNATIONAL STAKES (Group 1PA) The Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club is honoured to once again partner Goodwood Racecourse in organising one of the most prestigious racing events in the world; the Qatar Goodwood Festival.

Where excellence and sportsmanship come together.

Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club (QREC) “We are proud of our sponsorship of the Qatar International Stakes as one of our most valuable races and part of our commitment to promote Arabian racing. We are very pleased to see this race, once again, attracting some of the world’s top Arabians and promising to be a fabulous addition to the Qatar Goodwood Festival.

I’m sure fans of all forms of racing will be fascinated by the spectacle of the Arabian horses at Goodwood. QREC would like to thank ARO and Goodwood for the excellent coordination and cooperation.”

HE Issa Bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi Qatar Racing and Equestrian ClubChairman

"It is always an honour for the Arabian Racing Organisation to stage international Arabian racing at this level. The addition of this race in 2015 to such a prestigious event in the UK racing calendar was and continues to be, a huge boost to the profile of the sport, both domestically and worldwide.

"We are most grateful to Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club and Goodwood racecourse for their continued support of UK Arabian racing during these challenging times. We are all delighted to have the opportunity to showcase our sport with a top class race in front of a crowd eager for live racing."

Genny Haynes ARO Commercial and Finance Director

The Arabian and Goodwood Horse racing has existed ever since horses were first domesticated, around 7,000 years ago. The Arabian horse is one of the oldest breeds and was developed specifically for stamina and soundness over long distances by the Bedouin tribes of the Arabian Peninsula.

During the late 17th and early 18th century, horse racing became popular in Britain and with races run in heats, over distances of up to four miles, stamina and soundness were of great importance. Breeders looked to the East for this quality and many oriental stallions and mares were imported to help create the Thoroughbred racehorse. The most famous of these foundation stallions were The Darley Arabian, The Godolphin Arabian and The Byerley Turk.

With no photography or film at that time, we can be thankful that our foremost equine artist, George Stubbs, was able to record the breeds’ early development, including portraits of a number of these imported stallions. Some of Stubbs’s earliest patrons were Lord Grosvenor, whose Arabian he painted in a typical Stubbs landscape and Charles Lennox, the third Duke of Richmond.

Stubbs stayed at Goodwood House for nine months, producing three paintings which summed up life on the estate including ‘Racehorses Exercising at Goodwood’ with Mary, Duchess of Richmond in the centre, watching three horses gallop away, whilst a fourth is rubbed down in the foreground.

Today, around 50% of Thoroughbred’s trace their ancestry to the Darley Arabian alone and with the emphasis now on breeding for speed, the modern Thoroughbred is approximately one second per furlong faster than an Arabian racehorse. Through genome testing, we know that Arabians carry the T:T variant, or stamina gene, as did Eclipse, the elite racehorse of his day, and another of Stubbs’s subjects.

Arabian racing and breeding takes place in 32 countries, all year round.

Countries such as France, America, Russia, Poland and the Gulf States have a full programme of Arabian racing integrated with Thoroughbred racing, whilst in Turkey it is almost 50-50 Thoroughbred to Arabian racing at their racecourses.

Purebred Arabian racing began in the UK in 1978 and was established as the Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) in 1999 under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum. ARO holds around 40 races per year, comprising of full fixtures and single races on Thoroughbred cards from spring through to autumn, though like many other organisations the current challenges of Covid have reduced the number of races this season. Just like their Thoroughbred cousins, Arabian racehorses may compete in maidens, handicaps, conditions and Group (Pattern) races, assisted by their own International Classification system to encourage global competition.

Prior to the Qatar International Stakes inception in 2015, Arabians last raced at Goodwood in 2002, in a six furlong sprint open to international runners. The introduction of the Qatar International Stakes to the Goodwood Festival has brought some of the world’s top Arabian racehorses to compete on the Sussex Downs, including the 2016 winner Al Mourtajez, who still holds the track record for this event. He became the World’s highest ever rated Arabian racehorse later that year when he was awarded a rating of 134 after winning The Qatar Arabian World Cup at Chantilly as part of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe card The following year in torrential rain, Tayf and Ebraz duelled throughout the final furlong, with Tayf proving victorious by a nose in a photo. Despite the challenging weather conditions, it was a thrilling contest and voted ‘Finish of the Day’ by Racing UK [now Racing TV]. In 2018 Ebraz was again runner-up, though this time to Muraaqib, with Tayf in fourth. All three horses were entered for the 2019 race, in which Ebraz finally gained what was to become an historic victory as he then went on to win the Qatar Arabian World Cup and the HH The Amir Sword, becoming the first horse to win all three races consecutively.

Due to the challenges of Covid, the Qatar International Stakes was the opening race of the 2020 UK Arabian season. Ebraz won for a second time, with Tayf this time in third, the pair split by the progressive young Deryan. Tayf went on to win the Qatar Arabian World Cup, whilst Deryan took the Dubai Kahayla Classic and is currently the highest rated Arabian in the world.

Four of the first five horses home from 2020 are among the 11 declarations, including Ebraz and Tayf who return to Goodwood for an incredible fifth time.

So far in this contest it's 2-1 to Ebraz. Now runnng in the colours of Sheikh Mohammed's daughter, Sheikha Reem, Ebraz comes here on the back of a recent Group3PA win in France, though old rival Tayf is often best fresh. His last run was when winning the Qatar Gold Sword in April, in which Ebraz was third.

The old guard are again challenged by the younger generation with Deryan returning, and making her first appearance, is the small, but mighty three-time Group 1 PA winner Lady Princess, who beat Tayf by over six lengths when third in the Amir Sword, in which Ebraz was second.

The UK challenge is headed by it's highest rated horse Al Kaaser, flying the flag for syndicates in UK Arabian racing. Abiyah Athbah was fifth by a short head on her seasonal return, this term with two runs under her belt she may have more to offer. Loolwa, the highest rated older UK mare, was third in this grade on her debut in the UK Arabian Derby, this season she was runner-up in a Listed PA race on her latest start and could easily improve further.

Of the 11 declared, there are four individual Group 1 PA winners, plus a further seven horses line up who collectively have won 64 races between them. The overall prize fund for the Qatar International Stakes is £400,000, with £226,840 to the winner. There will also be a prize of £250 awarded to the groom of the Best Turned Out horse.

Qatar International Stakes - Race Statistics Owners

Runners

Best Finishing Position

HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani

6

1st Tayf 2017

Shadwell Estates Ltd/HH Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum

1

1st Muraaqib 2016

YAS Horse Management

2

2nd Deryan 2020

Dilmun Racing

1

5th Abiyah Athbah 2020

Pharitz Arabians

3

8th Storm Troupour 2019

No previous runners: Emirates Entertainment Racing Club & Green Ridge Racing, Khalifa bin Shaeil Al Kuwari, Delyth Thomas *HE Sheikha Reem bint Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani, no previous runners, however her father HH Sheikh Mohammed has had 8 runners, with Ebraz winning in 2019 and 2020.

Qatar International Stakes - Race Statistics Trainer

Runners

Julian Smart (QA) Thomas Fourcy (FR) Didier Guillemin (FR) Ms Beverley Deutrom Mr Peter Hammersley Mr James Owen

7 5 1 8 5 2

Best Finishing Position 1st Ebraz 2019, 2020 1st Al Mourtajez 2016 2nd Deryan 2020 5th Furry 2017 5th Abiyah 2020 6th Crahck 2017, Tijaary 2020

No previous runners: Mr Philip Collington, Mrs Delyth Thomas,

Jim Crowley

Julian Smart

Jockey

Rides

Best Finishing Position

Jim Crowley

3

1st Muraaqib 2018

Tadhg O'Shea

4

3rd Lightning Bolt 2019

Tom Marqand

1

7th Hau Kola 2019

No previous rides: Pat Cosgrave, Frankie Dettori, Joey Haynes, Ellie Mackenzie, Oisin Murphy, Charlie Price, Rossa Ryan, Ronan Thomas

Qatar International Stakes - Winning Form

127

DERYAN (FR)

(5 H Mahabb x Haboob (Akbar)) YAS Horseracing Management

125

EBRAZ (GB)

Didier Guillemin (France)

(8 H Amer x Massamarie (Manganate)) HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani

Frankie Dettori

Julian Smart (Qatar) Tadhg O'Shea

2 Group 1PA wins: Dubai Kahayla Classic 1m2f Dubai, UAE, 2021 President of the UAE Cup (Coupe de Europe) 1m2f Deauville, France, 2020 1 x Group 2 PA Qatar Coupe de France des Pur-Sang Arabes 1m Chantilly, France, 2018 Also 2 x Group 3PA and three further wins.

"Deryan prefers the sand track to the grass, but he did well at Goodwood last year when he was second. He hasn’t raced since winning the Kahayla Classic in Dubai, so it could be too long a break, but he is very well in himself."

Didier Guillemin

7 Group 1PA wins: HH The Amir Sword 1m4f Doha, Qatar, 2017, 2019, 2020 Qatar Arabian World Cup 1m2f, ParisLongchamp, France, 2019 Qatar International Stakes 1m Goodwood, UK, 2019, 2020 Qatar Cup (Prix Dragon) 1m2f Chantilly, France, 2017 Also 1 x Group 2PA, 3 x Group 3 PA and six further wins.

"Right now, he is absolutely flying, he couldn’t have been any more impressive in his prep race at La Teste. He’s come out of that unbelievably well and is in very, very good form."

Julian Smart

Qatar International Stakes - Winning Form

125

TAYF (FR)

108

AL KAASER (FR)

(8 H Amer x Djelmila (Manganate))

(7 G Munjiz x Horkidee (Tidjani))

HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani

Emirates Entertainment Racing Club

Thomas Fourcy (France)

Mr James Owen (UK)

Ronan Thomas

5 wins:

4 Group 1PA wins:

6f maiden, Chelmsford City 2017

Qatar Gold Sword

1m2f 0-85 Handicap, Wolverhampton 2018

1m2f Doha, Qatar, 2021 Qatar Arabian World Cup 1m2f, ParisLongchamp, France , 2020 President of the UAE Cup (Coupe de Europe) 1m2f, ParisLongchamp, France , 2020 Qatar International Stakes 1m Goodwood, UK, 2017 Also 2 x Group 2PA wins, 2 x Group 3PA wins and 1 other win.

1m2f Conditions, Newbury, 2019 1m4f 0-105 Handicap, Wolverhampton, 2020 2m 0-90 Handicap, Doncaster, 2019

Qatar International Stakes - Winning Form

87

STORM TROUPOUR (US)

(10 H Nivour de Cardonne x ES Ornetta ) Monarch AH)) Pharitz Arabians Ms Beverley Deutrom Ellie Mackenzie

7 wins inc.

1 x Gr3PA 6f Dirt, Jaegrsro, 2016

87

TOOFAN (GB)

(5 G Mahabb x Zaqya (Al Sakbe)) Shadwell Estates Ltd Mr James Owen (UK) Pat Cosgrave

1 win: 1m maiden, Wolverhampton, 2020

6f Maiden, Windsor, 2016 1m Conditions, Al Ain 2017 7f 65-95 Handicap, Chelmsford City 2017 7.5f Conditions, Ghlin, 2019

75

PARAMER ANGEL (GB)

(10 G Parador x Angel Picamer (Amer)) Delyth Thomas Mrs Delyth Thomas (UK) Charlie Price

2 wins: 8f maiden, Chepstow, 2019 8f novice, Chepstow, 2019

Qatar International Stakes - Winning Form

120

LADY PRINCESS (FR)

95

LOOLWA (GB)

(5 M General x Nacree Al Maury (Kesberoy))

(5 M Al Saoudi x Zormania (Mourafek))

Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari

Shadwell Estates Ltd

Thomas Fourcy (France)

Mr Philip Collington (UK)

Oisin Murphy

Jim Crowley

3 Group 1PA wins:

1 win: 1m1.5f 0-95 Handicap, Wolverhampton, 2020

Al Rayyan Cup (Prix Kesberoy) 1m2f, Deauville, France, 2019

Qatar Arabian Trophy des Pouliches

Also: 3rd UAE President Cup (UK Arabian Derby) Group 1PA, Doncaster, UK, 2020

1m2f, Saint-Cloud, France, 2019 2nd IFAHR Cup, Listed PA, Ostend, Belgium, 2021 Qatar Arabian Trophy des Juments 1m2f , ParisLongchamp, France, 2020

Also 1 Group 2PA win and two further wins over 7f and 1m 1.5f

“We know that ten furlongs is ideal for Loolwa, but she has a high cruising speed and I think over a mile, and even in Group 1PA company, she’ll still be competitive, though she may just lack the turn of foot at the finish. She worked on Friday and I’m really pleased with her.”

Philip Colllington

Qatar International Stakes - Winning Form

93

FARHAA (GB)

(6 M Al Saoudi x Maiziane (Al Sakbe)) Shadwell Estates Ltd Mr James Owen Tom Marquand

4 wins: 1m Maiden, Chelmsford City 2018 1m 0-95 Handicap, Wolverhampton 2018 7.5f Conditions, Ghlin 2019 1m2f Conditions, Newbury 2020

90

ABIYAH ATHBAH (GB)

(6 M Jaafer ASF x Burning Fancy (Burning Sand) Dilmun Racing Mr Peter Hammersley

3 wins: 1m1f, maiden, Wolverhampton, UK, 2019 1m4f, 0-90 Handicap, Lingfield Park, UK, 2019 7f, Conditions, Chelmsford City, UK, 2020

“Abiyah Athbah ran such a great race last year, on what was her seasonal debut. We were really pleased with her most recent run at Newbury, finishing a close third to two very promising three-year-olds over six furlongs. I think with two runs under her belt and her being a year older, I feel she is going to Goodwood this year, as good as we can get her, so we’re hoping for another big run from her."

Peter Hammersley

1.15pm Qatar International Stakes (Gr1PA) - entries 127

Deryan (FR)

5H

Didier Guillemin (FR)

9.00

125

Ebraz (GB)

7H

Julian Smart (QA)

9.00

125

Tayf (FR)

8H

Thomas Fourcy (FR)

9.00

121

Amyr Du Soleil (GB)

5H

Julian Smart (QA)

9.00

116

Bel'izam (FR)

5H

Damien de Watrigant (FR)

9.00

108

Al Kaaser (FR)

7G

Mr James Owen

9.00

87

Storm Troupour (US)

10 H

Ms Beverley Deutrom

9.00

87

Toofan (GB)

5G

Mr James Owen

9.00

82

Tijaary (FR)

7G

Mr James Owen

9.00

75

Izenterisky (GB)

6G

Mr Philip Collington

9.00

75

Paramer Angel (GB)

10 G

Mrs Delyth Thomas

9.00

123

Mon'nia (FR)

5M

Julian Smart (QA)

8.10

120

Lady Princess (FR)

5M

Thomas Fourcy (FR)

8.10

110

Ryme Al Cham (FR)

5M

Thomas Fourcy (FR)

8.10

105

Durat Al Zaman (FR)

6M

Damien de Watrigant (FR)

8.10

95

Loolwa (GB)

5M

Mr Philip Collington

8.10

93

Farhaa (GB)

6M

Mr James Owen

8.10

90

Abiyah Athbah (GB)

6M

Mr Peter Hammersley

8.10

90

Jadaayil (FR)

6M

Mr James Owen

8.10

-

Bayan Athbah (GB)

5M

Mr Philip Collington

8.10

93

Wanaasa (FR)

4F

Mr James Owen

8.04

[Declared runners in bold] Distance: 8f (1600m)

Age range: 4yo and upwards

Surface: Turf

Field Safety Limit: 18

Prize Fund:

£400,000

Winning Horse: £226,840 Second:

£86,000

Third:

£43,040

Fourth:

£21,440

Fifth:

£10,760

Sixth:

£5,400

Weights: 5yo and upwards 9st 4yo 8st 12lb Allowances: Fillies & Mares - 4lb Nomination (entry): closed July 5 Declaration: £800 by 1100 hrs on July 26 Jockey Declarations: by 1100hrs on July 26

Qatar International Stakes Group 1PA Previous Winners, Ground, Times & Video Links: 2020

Ebraz (GB)

HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani Julian Smart (Qatar), Maxime Guyon Good to Firm, 1.47.23 https://youtu.be/dhF9em2oeJc

Watch the race: 2019

Ebraz (GB)

HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani Julian Smart (Qatar), Maxime Guyon Good, 1.47.56 https://youtu.be/GcwuuzWTx7M

Watch the race: 2018

Muraaqib (FR)

Watch the race: 2017

Tayf (FR)

HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani Alban de Mieulle (Qatar), Olivier Peslier Soft, 1.55.77 https://youtu.be/J9boJgCpbPk

Watch the race: 2016

Al Mourtajez (FR)

Watch the race: 2015

HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Francois Rohaut (France), Jim Crowley Good, 1.48.00 https://youtu.be/LqCFl3WiU1g

Sir Bani Yas (FR)

Al Shaqab Racing Thomas Fourcy (France), Julien Augé Good to Firm, 1.43.54 https://youtu.be/ALw_FLZbZpk HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Suc. J-F Bernard (France), Jean-Bernard Eyquem Good to Firm, 1.46.35

Wednesday 28th July 2021 Qatar Goodwood Festival

2021 Equine Creative Media in association with the Arabian Racing Organisation