Al Shaqab Racing’s Al Ghadeer wins Qatar Arabian World Cup
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Al Ghadeer, the favourite in the Qatar Arabian World Cup – equivalent of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe for the purebred Arabians - won the race without any hesitation and with grandeur. Riding in the colours of Al Shaqab Racing, Al Ghadeer recorded his seventh Group race win and his fifth Group 1 for Purebred Arabians, the best level of racing. It is the second win in this race for his trainer, François Rohaut, based in Pau (Pyrenees – the Atlantic), who won the first-ever edition of this race in 2008 with Lahib.
Impressive winner of the Gr.1 (PA) Qatar Derby des Pur-Sang Arabes de 4 Ans at Chantilly in June, the incredible Purebred Arabian colt Al Ghadeer (Al Mourtajez x Gharra’a by Matador 12) landed the Gr.1 (PA) Qatar Arabian World Cup.
Carrying the colours of his owner Al Shaqab Racing and trained by master trainer Francois Rohaut, the four-year-old came into the race on the back of six successive victories including three Group 1 (PA).
Al Ghadeer became one of the all-time greats in the Arabian racing by winning impressively the €1,000,000 Qatar sponsored contest at ParisLongchamp. Now a four time Group 1 (PA) winner, Al Ghadeer offered a fourth Gr.1 (PA) success for Al Shaqab Racing in the last forty eight hours.
Al Ghadeer was never too far from the leaders of the field and travelled with sublime ease of the 2000m contest. Entering the final straight and sill not pressed on by jockey Christophe Soumillon, the four-year-old was angled out wide of the leaders to win by two lengths under a hand and heels ride.
The chasing Al Doha (Al Mourtajez x Topaze Du Croate by Dormane)), in the colours of HH Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani, who finished a clear second for trainer Thomas Fourcy and under jockey Olivier Peslier. The Abdulla Bin Fahad Al Attiyah-owned and Ch’Ezza (AF Albahar x Cherazade by Dormane), gave Francois Rohaut another prize in the race, as he under Maxime Guyon, took third.
Jockey Christophe Soumillon said after the race:“I took a while to get him settled and unfortunately at the top of the hill when the pace slowed down, I had no much stirring as he blocked the bit on one side. So I decided to let him roll progressively. At the beginning of the straight I felt like I was on top of everyone. I didn’t want to ask him too much but then when I saw Olivier coming quickly on the outside to challenge us, I asked him to stride on a bit and he’s done it with ease. He’s a smart horse, He’s a real champion.”
With this victory, Al Shaqab Racing continues its foray at the Group 1 level reserved for purebred Arabians this weekend, just as Nour Al Maury won on Saturday, Sepetember 30, in the Qatar Arabian Trophy for Mares, while Afjan ex-Mahboop and Norma Al Maury respectively won on Friday, September 29, in Saint-Cloud, the Qatar Arabian Trophy for colts and the Qatar Arabian Trophy for fillies.
“The Team has put their heart and souls into training the three horses who have responded here. I love Arabian horses; it is a joy. We have seen a champion. The Qataris do a lot for racing in France. They deserve the most respect. Al Ghadeer is a horse out of the ordinary. He deserves to win today. I hope that he remains healthy and well for a long time so that he can win all the big races in the future, one of which is this World Cup. He has an extraordinary mentality. He will go to the third stage of the Triple Crown in Doha this winter,” said trainer François Rohaut.
His Highness Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani crowned the winners of the Qatar Arabian World Cup, which was landed by Al Shaqab Racing’s Al Ghadeer. His Excellency Sheikh Hamad Bin Joaan Al Thani received the trophy during the awarding ceremony, which was attended by His Excellency Issa Bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi, QREC Chairman.
Source: France Galop and QREC. Photos: Juhaim/QREC
