H E Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al Thani (second left), Ambassador of Qatar to France, poses for a photograph with the connection of Ebraz, winner of the Qatar Cup - Prix Dragon (Gr 1 PA) at the Qatar-sponsored Qatar Arc Trials at ParisLongchamp.
Paris: H E Sheikha Reem bint Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani’s Ebraz clinched the Qatar Cup - Prix Dragon (Gr 1 PA) while Gr1 Qatar Prix Vermeille title was won by Ali Saeed’s Teona at the Qatar-sponsored Qatar Arc Trials day took place at ParisLongchamp yesterday.
H E Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al Thani, Ambassador of Qatar to France, presented the trophies to both the winners.
Both races were the final rehearsal for the Qatar Arabian World Cup (Gr1 PA) and the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Gr1) to be run at the same course in three weeks.
The day included 10 races, with 6 of them being group contests, and all of them were marked by the name of Qatar.
Mighty Ebraz claims eighth Group 1 victory
Sporting the silks of H E Sheikha Reem bint Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani, the legendary pure-bred Arabian Ebraz (Amer x Massamarie) secured an eight Group One career success when winning the Qatar Cup - Prix Dragon (Group 1 PA) yesterday.
Trained by Julian Smart, Ebraz has been in excellent form this summer having won a Group 2 at La Teste De Buch in July before finishing second in a Group 1 at Goodwood (UK) in August.
The eight-year-old showed his trademark tenacity in the closing stages of the 2,000m and was once again given a strong ride by his regular jockey Maxime Guyon.
Following the withdrawal of Polish runner Wasma Al Khalediah (Jalnar Al Khalidah) who broke free from the stall’s pre-race, the field was reduced to 10 runners.
Ebraz applied his normal tactics and was held up towards the rear of the field through the opening stages of the race.
Stable-mate of Ebraz, Maxr (Jaffer ASF) cut out the early running and was quickly clear of the field. With a strong pace being set, Ebraz travelled well throughout. On the turn for home, Maxr began to struggle and was quickly closed down by the field 400m from the line. Artemis (Azadi) took the lead inside the final 400m and began to slip the field.
Having made steady headway from the back of the field, Ebraz endured some interference 200m from home and still had 4 lengths to find on Artemis. Switched toward the inside, Ebraz showed an incredible turn of foot and rapidly closed down Artemis inside the final 100m. Ebraz gamely got to the lead in the final strides and won by a head from Artemis. Nalink (Amer) was always prominent and finished three lengths back in third.
Bred by H H Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani, Ebraz is by the legendary Arabian stallion Amer (Wafi). His dam Massamarie (Tidjani) was a three-time winner and has been fundamental as a broodmare. She has produced Raahah (Amer) to win the Group 1 PA Qatar Trophy DesJuments, Group 1 PA Amir Sword winner Mared Al Sahra (Amer) and also Mu’Azzaz (Amer) winner of the Group 1 PA Shadwell Dubai International Stakes.
Final stride lunge for Bubble Gift
One of three trials for the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on the card at ParisLongchamp, the Group Two Qatar Prix Niel was won by the Zak Bloodstock-owned Bubble Gift (Nathaniel x Bubble Back).
Trained by Mikel Delzangles, the three-year-old was highly progressive through the first half of the season and won the Group Two Prix Harcourt at ParisLongchamp in May. He has now won three of his seven career starts and was ridden to success by Gerald Mosse.
Bred by Ali Hakam, Bubble Gift is by Newsells Park Stud stallion Nathaniel (Galileo). His dam Bubble Back (Grand Lodge) also produced last weeks Group 3 Prix Gladiateur winner Bubble Smart (Intello) and Bubble Chic (Chichicastenango), a dual Group 3 winner in Hong Kong.
Teona seals Vermeille title
Having only her second start at Group One level and only her sixth career start, the Ali Saeed-owned filly Teona (Sea The Stars x Ambivalent) saw off her six rivals in sensational style when winning the Group One Qatar Prix Vermeille for her trainer, Roger Varian.
“I never saw Snowfall throughout the race, but I knew my filly was going well and I was confident in her. She has a huge action and I just wanted to make sure she settled. She is very courageous and judging by that performance, she could have a very big future. We will enjoy today first but she could be very interesting in the Arc,” winning jockey Olivier Peslier said after the race.
Bred by Rabbah Bloodstock Limited, Teona is by the Giltown Stud’s mighty stallion Sea The Stars (Cape Cross). Her dam Ambivalent (Authorized) was also trained by Roger Varian and won the Group One Pretty Polly Stakes at The Curragh.
Deep Bond makes all in Prix Foy
An afternoon to remember for Japanese owner Shinji Maeda, owner of Deep Bond (Kizuna x Zephyranthes) the game front-running winner of the Group two Qatar Prix Foy.
Speedy Berneuil a class apart
The familiar green and yellow silks of owner Antoine Gilbert were carried to success by Berneuil (Lope De Vega x Derivatives), who showed an electric turn of foot to win the Group Three Qatar Prix Du Petit Couvert yesterday.
Trained by Carlos and Yann Lerner, the speedy four-year-old landed a well-deserved win at Group level, having finished second on his three most recent starts, all in black-type races.
Sagamiyra continues prolific rise
One of the most progressive horses of the season, Sagamiyra (Sea The Moon x Sahhaniya) carried the colours of her owner The Aga Khan to success in the Group Three Qatar Prix Du Pin.
The Mikel Delzangles trained four-year-old has performed with immense merit across the season and secured a first group success under a confident Christophe Soumillion.
