Teema wins Qatar Arabian Trophy Des Juments for YAS Horse Racing

Teema ridden by Ioritz Mendizabal and Elaf ridden by A. Crastus

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Carrying the colours of her owner/breeder YAS Horse Racing Management, the four-year-old pure-bred Arabian Teema (Bibi De Carrere x Dahwa) broke her maiden in thrilling style when landing the Qatar Arabian Trophy Des Juments (Group 1 PA). QREC Vice Chairman and President of the Asian and the Qatar Equestrian Federations, Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al Attiyah, presented the trophies to the winners.

Leading home a one-two for both her trainer Xavier Thomas-Demeaulte and owners YAS Horse Racing Management, Teema  was having her fifth career start and finished third in the 2020 Qatar Trophy des Poulices (Group 1 PA). She was ridden to success by jockey Ioritz Mendizabal.

Settled just behind the leaders for the 2,000m contest, Teema travelled well under Mendizabal through the early stages of the contest. Stablemate and eventual second Elaf (Rabbah De Carrere) took the field along at a steady gallop. With little change to the order throughout the race, Teema was well settled and on turning into the straight, was of the last on the bridle.

Inside the final 400m, the filly was angled out for a run by Mendizabal and began to stay on stoutly. Elaf held onto a two-length lead deep inside the closing stages and despite staying on well, Teema looked booked for second.

 Inside the final 50m, Teema launched one final attack and managed to snatch victory by a nose on the post. Petite Leia (Josco Du Cayrou) finished further three-lengths back in third.

Winning trainer Xavier Thomas-Demeaulte said after the race: “Teema suffered with a few health issues last year, she ran a lovely comeback race last time out and came on well from that race. When she relaxes in her races, she is capable of producing a strong acceleration at the finish. Elaf is as tough as they get, but she doesn’t show it at home. Even if she doesn’t have a huge turn of foot, she never stops galloping.”

Source: Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club. Photos: Scoopdyga