The President of Qatar and Asian Equestrian Federations, Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al Attiyah (second, left), presenting the Qatar Goodwood Stakes trophy to the owner of Stradivarius, Bjorn Nielsen, on the opening day of the QREC-sponsored Qatar Goodwood Fest
The QREC-sponsored Qatar Goodwood Festival continues today, with a host of top quality races being lined up.
Highlights of today’s races include the mile-long Qatar International Stakes (Gr1PA). The Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) announced a high-class field of eight runners which was declared for the Qatar International Stakes (Gr1PA) run as part of the festival.
They include five individual Group 1 PA winners, the highlight of which are H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani’s Tayf the winner in 2017, H H Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani’s Ebraz who was runner-up in the last two renewals.
Also declared is Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Attiya’s Rodess Du Loup who won both the French and the English Derby’s last year, as well as 2016 UK Derby winner Lightning Bolt and Muraaqib the winner of the last renewal.
The prize fund for the Qatar International Stakes is £400,000, with £200,000 to the winner and is the most valuable race in the UK Arabian racing calendar. The mile-long race will start at 07:25 pm Doha time.
Genny Haynes, ARO Commercial and Finance Director said: “Every year the quality of entries for this race exceeds our expectations. We are delighted that we have the first four home from last year’s race which is always a very competitive event as you would expect with a such a valuable prize.”
As Day 1 started, thrilling action was already there. On a day of high-class action at the, Stradivarius recorded his third straight victory in the Qatar Goodwood Cup Gr 1 and H E Sherida Al Kaabi’s Fuwayrit was the runner up of the European Breeders Fund EFB Maiden Stakes.
Qatar Goodwood Cup Stakes (Gr 1)
Stradivarius recorded a third victory in the Qatar Goodwood Cup. Ridden by Frankie Dettori and trained by John Gosden, the superstar stayer extended his unbeaten sequence to eight wins with a vintage display in the two-mile contest. The five-year-old travelled powerfully into contention in the home straight and displayed his customary turn of foot to win eased down by a neck from the Mark Johnston-trained Dee Ex Bee in second. The Charlie Appleby-trained Cross Counter was third.
European Breeders Fund EBF Maiden Stakes
A young horse for the future emerged from the European Breeders Fund EBF Maiden. The John Quinn trained-Cobra Eye, a two-year-old, became a second winner on the card for Frankie Dettori who nursed his mount to a short-head victory over runner-up the H E Sherida Al Kaabi-owned and Mark Johnston-trained Fuwayrit, the mount of Ryan Moore.
Qatar Vintage Stakes (Gr 2)
The Charlie Appleby-trained Pinatubo had a spectacular triumph in the G2 Qatar Vintage Stakes. The son of Shamardal, who won this race in 2004], was sent off by jockey James Doyle to win by five lengths from the Clive Cox-trained Positive who came second.
Qatar Lennox Stakes (Gr 2)
The David Elsworth-trained Sir Dancealot became the second horse to win back-to-back renewals of the G2 Qatar Lennox Stakes with a smooth success in the seven-furlong contest. Ridden by Gerald Mosse, the five-year-old quickened up smartly to by a length from the James Tate-trained Hey Gaman in second.
Unibet Handicap
Fayez captured the opening race of the Qatar Goodwood Festival with a dramatic victory in the 10-furlong handicap. Second-last entering the home straight, Fayez, trained by David O’Meara, had to wait for a gap to appear on the rail, but managed to thread a passage in the closing stages under a superb ride by Danny Tudhope, who is chasing his first jockeys’ championship success this season, to score by a half-length.
The Chelsea Barracks Handicap Stakes (Class 2)
Trainer John Gallagher was “buzzing” with the success of Green Power in the £30,000 Chelsea Barracks Handicap over five furlongs. Ridden by PJ McDonald, the four-year-old son of Kheleyf ran on strongly to snatch victory close home, defeating the Ruth Carr-trained Poyle Vinnie by a head.
The Unibet Fillies Handicap Stakes (Class 3)
Maid For Life provided Newmarket trainer Charlie Fellowes with victory in the concluding race on Day 1 of the Qatar Goodwood Festival, the Unibet Fillies’ Handicap over a mile.
Ridden by PJ McDonald, the three-year-old daughter of Nathaniel edged ahead close home to score by a half-length, defeating the Mark Johnston-trained Warning Fire in second.
