Qatar dominates the Arabian Group 1 races on Arc weekend

It was a clean sweep for Qatari owners in the four Group 1 Purebred Arabian races over the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend, and included victory in the Qatar Arabian World Cup worth a cool €1 million and the weekend’s Arabian race highlight.

Lady Princess Maintains Her Winning Streak

Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari’s Lady Princess went one better than in 2021 to secure Europe’s most valuable Arabian race, the Qatar Arabian World Cup (G1PA), whilst wins from some exciting young horses in the supporting races, gives plenty of encouragement that Qatar will maintain their prominence in the sport for years to come.

Half of the 16 horses who lined up for the Qatar Arabian World Cup boasted top level victories in what was one of the strongest renewals for many years. Previous winners Ebraz and Hoggar De l’Ardus were carrying the colours of HE Sheikha Reem bint Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani, whilst Al Kuwari’s Hadi De Carrere, winner of the the Obaiya Arabian Classic, the most valuable Arabian race on Dirt, was also in the field.

Others with winning course and distance form were Lady Princess, Hattal and Teema, whilst First Classs had stepped up to this 2000m trip to win Dubai’s Kahayla Classic for theHE Sharida Al-Kaabi and been finished second in Prix Dragon, the trial for the big race, three weeks earlier. Conditions were very testing and would have gone against many of the runners, including First Classs. Lady Princess had no such worries having won the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Juments on heavy in 2020 and, partnered again by Jim Crowley, she was settled at the rear of the substantial field, along with Ebraz.

Khateer Alkhalediah set the pace, however he was not fast enough for the hard-pulling Soko, who briefly headed the field, before Hattal took it up on the rail to go clear 300m from home. First Classs tried to challenge, but was bettered by the old rivals Ebraz and Lady Princess, who played their hands late as usual, up the centre of the course.

At the 100m metre pole, Lady Princess had Ebraz’s measure, as age, and no doubt the two-kilo weight allowance took their toll, but it was typical of Ebraz to go down fighting, the king carried out on his shield, the most gallant of adversaries to the acknowledged queen. Djafar, in the colours of Abdullah bin Fahad Al-Attiyah, kept on for third place. Lady Princess gave Al Kuwari and Crowley a first success in the race, however it was now Fourcy’s third win in a row and fifth overall, equalling Julian Smart’s previous record.

Sahab Works Hard In The Trophy Des Juments

The previous day, Sahab, also trained by Fourcy and racing for Mohammed bin Fahad Al-Thani, impressed in the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Juments (G1PA). Though her final winning margin over Al Wasmiyah Racing’s Monda was a diminishing length, and she had to work hard to escape the pack entering the home straight, but in a matter of strides was readily in the lead 400m out.

Athbah Stud’s Sultana kept on solidly to the line to keep Al Shaqab Racing’s Al Wakrah in third place.

TROPHY DES POULICHES GOES AL SHAQAB RACING’S WAY

Friday’s Qatar Arabian Trophy des Pouliches (G1PA) at Saint-Cloud was dominated by Al Shaqab Racing, the team securing a one-two with the Fourcy-trained Nour Al Maury winning by three-quarters of a length from Mezown, whilst Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari’s No Tear Al Maury finished just over a length away in third. The win was also a notable first European PA Group 1 success for jockey Faleh Bughenaim.

AL GHADEER: THE SON OF AL MOURTAJEZ IMPRESSIVE

In the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Poulains (G1PA), Al Ghadeer confirmed himself as the most promising son from the first crop of world champion racehorse Al Mourtajez. He had won the Al Rayyan Cup by an impressive 5l on his first start in Al Wasmiyah’s colours in August, and was strongly fancied at Saint-Cloud. As in the fillies’ contest, the field came over to the stands’ side in search of better ground, but it could not stop Francois Rohaut’s charge, who won eased down by 2l from Madrassa, with a further 3l back to was Joe Star.