Lady Princess (front) races to victory, yesterday.
Paris: In the presence of H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, Qatari-owned horses continued to dazzle at the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in Paris yesterday.
The Sheail bin Khalifa Al Kuwari-owned Lady Princess claimed an impressive victory in the QREC-sponsored Gr1 P/A Qatar Arabian Trophie des Juments, for four-year-old fillies over 2,000m at the ParisLongchamp yesterday.
Lady Princess’ win was yet another demonstration of Qatar’s leadership in Purebred Arabian racing, especially as it took place only 24 hours following two other Gr1 P/A victories landed by Al Shaqab Racing’s Alawsj in the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Pouliches and Sheail bin Khalifa Al Kuwari’s Hadi De Carrere in the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Poulains at St. Cloud.
Nasser Bin Sherida Al Kaabi, QREC CEO, took part in the trophy presentation of the day’s races.
These victories further enhance the standing of Purebred Arabian races sponsored by Qatar, reflect the success of QREC’s vision of promoting Purebred Arabian racing worldwide and foster Qatar’s pioneering image in this discipline.
The first day of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend saw a nice race card at ParisLongchamp.
New win for Sheail bin Khalifa Al Kuwari
Lady Princess (General) was the impressive winner of the Group 1 Purebred Arabian race of the day, the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Juments (Group 1 PA) for owner Sheail bin Khalifa Al Kuwari.
These colours were also carried to success yesterday in the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Poulains (Gr1 PA) by Hadi de Carrère (Nieshan). Lady Princess is trained by Thomas Fourcy, who in fact trained the first four home in the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Juments (Group 1 PA).
In second was Um Taj (Al Mamun Monlau), third Meethag (Dahor de Brugère) and fourth Ryme Al Cham (Af Albahar) – all in the colours of Al Shaqab Racing! Lady Princess was ridden by Christophe Soumillon, who also won the first race of the day.
The filly sat quietly in second last through the race, which was run at a very steady pace in heavy ground. Once in the straight, she came immediately on the attack, flying down the center of the track past her opponents.
Valia reigns supreme
The opening race of the weekend of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, the Qatar Prix Chaudenay was a Group 2 race for 3-year-olds- stayers over the long distance of 3,000 meters, and was won in impressive fashion by the filly Valia (Sea The Stars x Veda). Owned by her breeder, Aga Khan, she is trained in Chantilly (France) by Alain de Royer Dupré and was ridden by the retained jockey for the Aga Khan Studs, Christophe Soumillon.
He gave her a beautifully patient ride, for her first run over the 3,000m trip, coupled with the particularly heavy conditions (4,8 on the going stick).
Held up in last for the majority of the race, Valia then came with a strong run up the middle of the tack and easily got the better of both Nemean Lion (Golden Horn) et Step by Step (Sidestep).
Fireworks to end the day
It was a thrilling finish to the final race of the day with Queenhope (Kendargent) getting the better of the strong finishing Sunflower (Le Harve) by a short head.
Carrying the colours of Patrick Barbe and bred by Guy Pariente Holding Queenhope was confidently steered to victory by young rider Megane Peslier in the Prix Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club handicap over 2,000m.
Earlier, Eudaimonia (Vision d’Etat) took the Qatar Grand Handicap des Juments over 2,000m yesterday.
Trained by up and coming young trainer Edouard Monfort, Eudaimonia completed a hat-trick for her owners Rebecca Philipps and John Hammond when scoring by and eased-down five lengths at the line.
The Qatar Prix du Cadran saw the Irish raider Princess Zoe (Jukebox Jury) winning after an extraordinary turn of events.
The Revenant (Dubawi) put up an impressive performance to defend his title in the Qatar Prix Daniel Wildenstein.
Wonderful Tonight, partnered once again by jockey Tony Piccone was crowned the leading filly of the 3-year-old generation over the distance of 2,800 meters after winning the Qatar Prix de Royallieu (Gr1) yesterday.
Skaletti (Kendargent) secured the win in the Qatar Prix Dollar, a Group 2 over 1,950m, for the second consecutive year.
The action on the final day of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend, begins today at 3:15pm, Qatar time.
