Arabian races set mood for Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend
H.E. Sheikha Reem Bint Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani’s IMAGE DU CROATIE wins Gr1 PA Qatar Arabian Trophy Des Pouliches
Khalifa Bin Sheail Al Kuwari’s MOSHRIF lands Gr1 PA Qatar Arabian Trophy Des Poulains
Two QREC-sponsored Arabian races were run at St. Cloud, Paris, on Friday, 1 October. The two Gr1 P/A races, run over 2000m each, are held every year to set the mood for the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend. The Gr1 PA Qatar Arabian Trophy Des Pouliches for three-year-old fillies was won by H.E Sheikha Reem Bint Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani’s IMAGE DU CROATIE for trainer Elisabeth Bernard and jockey Maxime Guyon to continue Qatari dominance over this title for the sixth year in a row. It was followed by the Gr1 PA Qatar Arabian Trophy Des Poulains for three-year-old colts, which was landed by Khalifa Bin Sheail Al Kuwari’s MOSHRIF, for trainer François Rohaut and jockey Christophe Soumillon. These two victories re-confirm Qatar’s leadership in Purebred Arabian racing. Both events crown the leading filly and colt of this age category of the Purebred Arabian breed. His Excellency Issa bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi, QREC Chairman, and Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al Attiyah, QREC Vice Chairman, were present at St. Cloud and presented the trophies to the winners.
IMAGE DU CROATIE OFF THE MARK IN STYLE
Carrying the colours of Her Excellency Sheika Reem Bint Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani, the three-year-old pure-bred Arabian filly IMAGE DU CROATIE (Munjiz x Beanie Du Croatie) broke her maiden in emphatic style when landing the Qatar Arabian Trophy Des Pouliches (Group 1 PA) at Saint Cloud on Friday, October 1st.
Trained by Elizabeth Bernard, Image Du Croatie was a maiden coming into the race and was having her fourth career start. Following an encouraging second place on debut at Toulouse in June, Image Du Croatie then finished second in the Group 3 Prix Razzia III at La Teste De Buch on her second start. The filly then returned to the track in September, where she finished fifth in the Group 2 French Arabian Breeders Challenge – Pouliches, her most recent start.
Ridden by Maxime Guyon, Image Du Croatie was settled towards the rear of the nine runners and settled well. A steady pace was set through the first section of the 2,000m contest by Hellywa (No Risk Al Maury) and the field was tightly grouped heading down the back straight. Turning into the home bend, Image Du Croatie was switched out wide by Guyon and began to move closer to the leaders. Taking Monda (No Risk Al Maury) as a leader, Image Du Croatie circled the field three into the straight but travelled well. Once in the straight, the filly was asked for her effort by Guyon. Inside the final 200m, Image Du Croatie joined Sahab (Al Afbahar) for the lead and the pair battled hard to the line. Just doing enough, Image Du Croatie held on by a head to score from Sahab. Monda finished a further length back in third.
Winning trainer Elizabeth Bernard said after the race:
“I am extremely happy with her win. I thought over the last 48hrs that Image Du Croatie was in superb form at home, and she has proved that today.”
MOSHRIF announces himself a Group 1 PA winner!
Moshrif (Dahess x Tashreefat) was victorious in the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Poulains (Gr1 PA) at Saint-Cloud, with a solid performance from this inexperienced colt who was having just his third start in competition. He also provided his owner, Khalifa Bin Sheail Al Kuwari, a second consecutive success in the race following Hadi de Carrere’s win in 2020, and gave his trainer, François Rohaut, a third win in this race which crowns the leading colt of their generation.
Hargan (Al Mamun Monlau) led proceedings, setting a decent pace. Moshrif travelled in mid-division with plenty of cover. He moved up in the final turn on the outside, progressively making up ground on the leaders in the hands of jockey Christophe Soumillon.
At the 400m post, Soumillon moved Moshrif to the outside, with a clear view to the line.
He came upside the promising Samlla (Assy), with Hargan still controlling proceedings. Samlla was accidentally touched by Maxime Guyon’s whip, who was on board Hargan, and quickly lost several lengths to put the colt out of race for victory. Moshrif then ran strongly to line for an easy win, ¾ length in front of Hargan with Samlla in third. The winner had impressive fractions, running the 400 to 200m in 12’’27.
MOSHRIF has only recently passed under the colours of Khalifa Bin Sheail Al Kuwari, as he was purchased just 24 hours earlier at the Arqana Purebred Arabian Sale!
Trainer François Rohaut was responsible for the first three across the line and he commented, “The winner had the best run of the race. I’ve always thought that he was as good as any of the other colts. Hargan was beaten fairly, having been exposed out in front. Samlla was hit on the nose 100 meters from the line which stopped him in his tracks, which is a shame. The three colts confirm that they top class. This is the first time that I have finished first, second and third in a Group 1!”
Source: Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club