Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club CEO, Nasser bin Sherida Al Kaabi (centre) posing for a photograph with the winning team at St Cloud racetrack in France, yesterday.
St Cloud: Two Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC)-sponsored Arabian races were run at St. Cloud, Paris, yesterday.
The two Gr1 P/A races, run over 2000m each, are held every year to set the mood for the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend. The Gr1 PA Qatar Arabian Trophy Des Pouliches for three-year-old fillies was won by Al Shaqab Racing’s homebred Alawsj (FR) for trainer Thomas Fourcy and jockey Julien Auge to continue Qatari dominance over this title for the fifth year in a row.
It was followed by the Gr1 PA Qatar Arabian Trophy Des Poulains for three-year-old colts, which was landed by Sheail bin Khalifa Al Kuwari’s Hadi De Carrere (FR), for the same trainer-jockey duo, who scored a quick-fire double on the day, to confirm Qatar’s leadership in Purebred Arabian racing. Both events crown the leading filly and colt of this age category of the Purebred Arabian breed. QREC CEO, Nasser bin Sherida Al Kaabi was present at St. Cloud and presented the trophies to the winners.
Al Shaqab Racing’s Alawsj, leading filly
Opening the weekend of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Pouliches, a Group 1 for 3-year-old Purebred Arabian fillies, crowns the best 3-year-old filly of her generation. Eight fillies lined up in this championship race, and it was Alawsj (Dahor de Brugere x Bint Jarkata) who lifted the trophy for her owner and breeder Al Shaqab Racing! This was a first Group 1 win for the filly, who is trained by Thomas Fourcy.
The race took place on heavy ground. There was drama at the start with the withdrawal of the favourite Alkedri (Mister Ginoux) after the jockey, Jean-Bernard Eyquem, fell when cantering to the start.
Last time out in Mont-de-Marsan, Alawsj finished third to Elaf (Rabbah de Carrère) and Cocktail Du Loup (Divamer), two fillies she met again in this race. Ridden by Julien Augé, the eventual winner travelled in third position in a race led at a consistent pace by Elaf. She began making up ground in the final turn, moving into second. Sitting on the stand’s side rail, Alawsj had to fight for the victory. She won by just under a length in front of Jalela (Mister Ginoux), also for Al Shaqab Racing and trained by Thomas Fourcy. Teema (Bibi De Carrere) finished a close third.
Alawsj also provided her sire, Dahor de Brugere, with a first Group 1 win in this race. He stands in Morocco for Al Shaqab Racing at Sorec. Bred by Al Shaqab Racing, Alawsj was raised at Haras du Berlais. She is the first foal out of Bint Jakarta (Af Albahar), winner of the Al Rayyan Cup (Gr1 PA) at Deauville.
Sheail bin Khalifa Al Kuwari’s Hadi De Carrere, leading colt
The second Group 1 Purebred Arabian race on the card, the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Poulains, went to Hadi De Carrere (Nieshan x Viki De Carrere) in the colours of Sheail bin Khalifa Al Thani. The 3-year-old colt was the starting favourite in the race and came here off an impressive win in the Al Rayyan Cup (Gr1) at Deauville in August.
Alsaher (Mared Al Sahra) was quickly into the lead, with Hadi de Carrere in behind. The eventual winner came up to join him at the entrance of the straight before moving onto the rail on the stand’s side. He then battled with
Alsaher, who began to weaken. At the same time, Abbes (TM Frex Texas) came up with a strong run to steal second place.
Hadi de Carrère won by a neck, but with more in hand than the distance suggests.
Hadi de Carrère was bought privately on behalf of his owner by Gérard Larrieu of Chantilly Bloodstock. He was bred by Catherine Dell’ova, and is the first Group winner for his sire Nieshan (Akbar). His dam, Viki de Carrère (Dormane) is a sister to the Purebred Arabian sire Runner (Tahar de Candelon).
