H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani with the connection of Torquator Tasso in the presence of H R H Princess Anne after the Gestut Auenquelle-owned colt won the Qatar Prix De L’Arc De Triomphe Gr.1 at ParisLongchamp, yesterday. PIC: Zuzanna Lupa
Paris: In the presence of H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani, H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani and H R H Princess Anne, the curtain fell on the 100th Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend, at ParisLongchamp, yesterday.
The premier racing festival was sponsored by Qatar through the cooperation between the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) and France Galop, the horse racing authority in France.
It was a fitting finale with Qatari victories on the final day as H E Sheikha Reem bin Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani's Hoggar De L'ardus won the Qatar Arabian World Cup after Ali bin Hamad Al Attiya’s, Zellie won the Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac (Gr.1) earlier on the day.
Torquator Tasso springs surprise at Arc
Already a Group 1 winner in his native Germany, the Gestut Auenquelle-owned colt Torquator Tasso (Alderflug x Tijuana) scored a surprise victory in the 100th running of the Qatar Prix De L’Arc De Triomphe.
H E Sheikh Abdullah, presented the trophies to the winners in presence of H R H Princess Anne.
Trained in Germany by Marcel Weiss, the four-year-old was one of the outsiders of the field. Only beaten by three quarters of a length in the 2020 German Derby by last year’s Arc second In Swoop (Alderflug), Torquator Tasso produced a career best to win under an excellent ride from jockey Rene Piechulek.
Drawn wide, Torquator Tasso slotted into mid-division of the field. Travelling three-wide, the colt always looked comfortable as Adayar (Frankel) cut out the early running. With little change to the order and a relatively steady pace being set, the field was tightly grouped. Favourite Tarnawa (Shamardal) travelled well but was boxed in against the rail.
On entering the home straight, Torquator Tasso took closer order on the outside and was ridden confidently. Adayar stole a couple of lengths on the field 400m from home but was chased hard by Hurricane Lane (Frankel), Torquator Tasso and also, Tarnawa.
Staying on strongly, Torquator Tasso swept over the top in the closing stages and got up to win by three quarters of a length from Tarnawa. Hurricane lane finished third, while early leader Adayar took fourth.
Hoggar De L'ardus wins Qatar Arabian World Cup
Winner of the Qatar Derby Des Pur-Sang Des Arabes De 4 ans at Chantilly, the four-year old pure-bred Arabian Hoggar De L’ardus (Mister Ginoux x Alfa De L’Ardus) carried the colours of his owner H E Sheika Reem in the Qatar Arabian World Cup (Group 1 PA). H E Sheikh Abdullah presented the World Cup to H E Sheikh Mohammed.
Trained by Thomas Fourcy, the colt stormed clear of his rivals under a confident ride from jockey Mickael Barzalona and at four years of age, is already a dual Group 1 winner.
Lady Princess came second while last year’s winner Tayf (Amer) finished third.
Zellie strikes for France
Ali Hamad Al Attiya owned filly Zellie (Wotton Bassett x Sarai) showed an excellent attitude to take the Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac - Criterium Des Pouliches (Group 1). Issa bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi presented the trophies to the winners.
Trained by Andre Fabre and ridden for the first time by Irish-born jockey Oisin Murphy, Zellie was having her sixth career. A winner of her first three races, where she carried the colours of Ms. Lavinia Fabre, Zellie was then purchased by her current owner before going on to finish second in a pair of Group Three races.
Angel Bleu prevails
Not seen since his win in the Group 2 Vintage Stakes at Goodwood, the Marc Chan owned colt Angel Bleu (Dark Angel x Cercle De La Vie) prevailed with a strong determined run to win the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere - Grand Criterium (Group 1), yesterday. Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al Attiya, QREC Vice Chairman and President of the Asian and the Qatar Equestrian Federations, presented the trophies to the winners.
Trained by Ralph Beckett and ridden Frankie Dettori, Angel Bleu was having his seventh run of the season. Very comfortable on soft ground conditions Angel Bleu won the Group 3 Vintage Stakes at Goodwood in July just three days after finishing second in a listed race at Ascot.
No blushes for Rougir at The Opera
Haras de la Gousserie’s Rougir (Territories x Summer Moon) secured a well-deserved top-flight success when landing the Prix de l’Opera Longines (Group 1). Trained by Cedric Rossi and ridden by Maxime Guyon, Rougir finished third in last season’s Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac (Group 1). This was a first Group 1 success for her trainer Cedric Rossi. Matthieu Baumgartner, Vice Chairman of Longines, presented the trophies to the winners.
Space Blues rockets to success at the Forêt
The British-trained Space Blues, representing the Godolphin silks, flew to a convincing win in the Qatar Prix de la Forêt.
The five-year-old, trained by Charlie Appleby, floored his rivals in the final stages of this Group 1 prize in what has been incredible weekend of racing at ParisLongchamp. QREC's Acting CEO, Bader Mohammed Al Darwish presented the trophies to the winners.
He galloped to a 2-length victory in front of Pearls Galore, who is trained in Ireland by Paddy Twomey but owned by the Haras Saint-Pair, the Norman stud of Andras Putsch. The Japanese raider Entscheiden completed a very international podium in third.
A Case Of You strikes late at Abbaye
Gary Devlin-owned A Case Of You (Hot Streak x Karjera) prevailed in the Qatar Prix de l’Abbaye (Gr.1) as Irish trainer Ado McGuinness landed his first Group 1 success, along with owner Gary Devlin.
The four-year-old was given an excellent ride by his jockey Ronan Whelan.
