Doha, Qatar: The QREC-sponsored Qatar Derby des Pur-Sang Arabes de 4 Ans, was held at Chantilly, France, yesterday.
Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al-Attiyah, QREC Chairman, awarded the winners following the Gr.1 contest.
The four-year-old colt, Sab’aan Al Shahania (Amer) proved his quality with a gritty victory, securing a first Gr.1 (PA) success and boosting his record to two victories from five lifetime starts.
The 2000m contest, designed for four-year-olds Purebred Arabians, brought together a high-calibre field of seven where the colt officially captured his first Gr.1 (PA) success.
Trained by François Rohaut, ridden by Stephane Pasquier, and racing in the silks of H E Sheikha Iman bint Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Purebred Arabian colt made a quiet return over 1900m at La Teste.
This time, he fully delivered on that potential on the grandest stage to secure a memorable Gr.1 (PA) victory.
He broken cleanly from the gates and was patiently handled near the rear, settling comfortably in second-to-last position.
The field was stretched out by Romeo At (Af Al Buraq), who set a relentless pace. Entering the final bend, the running order remained unchanged while maintaining a very high tempo, though the future winner was cruising effortlessly and traveling with far more ease than some of his opponents.
As the runners turned into the straight, his jockey steered him to the outside to launch his challenge, even though Romeo At still held a clear advantage of two lengths. Sab’aan Al Shahania began to close the gap efficiently, eating into the leader’s margin stride after stride as he delivered a strong finishing kick.
Inside the final 100m, he angled even further wide to put maximum pressure on Romeo At, engaging in a fierce duel before gaining the upper hand in the very last strides to win by a short head.
Romeo At took a valiant second place, while Fakhira (Al Mamun Monlau) stayed on for third.
Bred by Al Shahania Stud, Sab’aan Al Shahania is by Amer out of Margouia (Tidjani) a winner over 1850m at 6. Margouia is a half sister to Min’Ha (No Risk Al Maury) a dual Gr.2 (PA) winner over 1900m at 4 and 2000m at 3.
Also half sister to Mon’nia (Amer) a Gr.1 winner (PA) over 2400m at 5, a Gr.2 (PA) winner over 1900m and Gr.3 (PA) winner over 2200m at the same age.
