H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani along with other participants at the presentation ceremony for Qatar Arabian World Cup in Paris, yesterday.
Paris: H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani was crowned the winner of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (QPAT) and the Qatar Arabian World Cup after the conclusion of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend yesterday.
The annual Qatar-sponsored event has been held since 2008 under the partnership between the Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club (QREC) and France Galop and will continue to 2022.
H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani was present at Paris Longchamp on the finale of the mega event.
QPAT: Enable winner for second time in a row
Enable just held on to foil the late charge of Sea Of Class and successfully defend her crown in a sensational race at Paris Longchamp.
John Gosden’s Enable was a brilliant winner of Europe’s premier middle-distance contest last season and although she missed much of the current campaign through injury, an impressive comeback at Kempton ensured she was a red-hot favourite to become the eighth dual winner of the Arc. Ridden by Frankie Dettori,
Enable was always travelling strongly on the heels of the leaders and the packed grandstands roared as she hit the front.
Gosden said: “It’s not been the preparation we wanted, it’s been very difficult. I actually had a hiccup between Kempton and here with a slight temperature, so it has not been easy … She wasn’t at her best today. I’ve had a difficult year with her and started with a bit more hair than I have now. It’s entirely down to the filly and her guts and a lovely ride from Frankie … The ground is a little slick – I’d liked to have seen more rain – but she’s got the job done and it’s very much down to her mind and ability … She’s a wonderful filly and it’s an enormous sense of relief.”
Fazza Al Khalediah stages huge upset
Fazza Al Khalediah (Jalnar Al Khalediah) staged a big upset win in the Qatar Arabian World Cup. Very well drawn, the Polish raider bided his time before making headway on the inside.
He then ended clear in the straight to record an easy victory at the main expense of the French-trained Khataab (Amer) and the Qatari raider Ebraz (Amer).
Trained by Michal Borkowski, the four-year-old had only previously beaten once! Prior to that he recorded nine consecutive wins. Michal Borkowski, trainer of the winner, said : “The success is all down to the horse. He’s the best (PA) horse in the world. It’s the first big international victory for Polish {PA} racing since the end of the Second World War. My team has done an extraordinary job.”
Lily’s Candle or Martin Schwartz’s lucky star
Bought on Saturday evening during the Arqana Arc sale for €490.000, Lily’s Candle was quick to reward her new owner, Martin Schwartz by winning the Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac - Critérium for fillies.
The filly, her trainer Fabrice Vermeulen’s first Gr1, travelled in the rear end of the pack and squeezed through on the inside of the home straight. She battled for the win and hit the post a shade cosily of Matematica, who was on her second time out. Star Terms (Sea The Stars) came a close third.
Big step up for Royal Marine
Royal Marine, despite his inexperience only from being maiden he became a group 1 winner on his third public outing. He won the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere and proved to be courageous.
The leader in the race, Broome, maintained the second place in front of the French contender Anodor, who couldn’t show the turn of foot we know he has.
Prix de l’Opéra Longines: Wild Illusion loves France
Last years’ winner of the Group 1 Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac, Wild Illusion (Dubawi) won the Prix de l’Opéra Longines (Gr1), after having problems to enter in the starting stalls. The representative of Godolphin finished in front of Magic Wand (Galileo), who looked like the winner for a while, and also beat the French contender Homérique (Exchange Rate) who made a good final effort.
Wild Illusion found her preferred distance over 2000m and should now head towards Breeders’ Cup Fillies and Mares Turf.
Prix de l’Abbaye Longines: Mabs Cross takes it to the wire
Mabs Cross (Dutch Art), the British filly ridden by Gérald Mossé, came with a strong run to take the Prix de l’Abbaye de Longines (Gr1) in the final strides. Gold Vibe (Dream Ahead), having been tracked by the winner, had to settle for second – a place of front of the two-year-old. Soldier’s Call (Showcasing) who went very close to pulling off a notable feat.
Battaash (Dark Angel), the defending champion and pacesetter, finished out of the places in fourth. Mabs Cross was coming off a second in the Nunthorpe Stakes (Gr1) and, with her first choice riders being side-lined through injury, Gerald Mosse stepped up to the mark with aplomb.
