Winners were presented their awards in the presence of HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani (third from right), the Special Adviser to HH  the Emir, HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani (third from left), QREC chairman HE Sheikh Mohamed bin Faleh al-Thani (right), Total E&P Qatar managing director Guillaume Chalmin (second from right).

By Chris Hoover/Doha

If any confirmation was needed about Sheikh Hamad bin Tamim al-Thani owned Al Mourtazez’s undisputed supremacy, the four year old son of Dahess provided it in a sensational manner by swamping the opposition in the richly endowed HH The Emir’s Sword, a Group I race for Pure Arabians four years old and over, which highlighted the races at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday. Jockey Julein Auge rode the champion with supreme confidence to complete a classic double on his maiden visit to Qatar.
Though coming from France into the QR three million contest without a benefit of a race run, the Thomas Fourcy trained Al Mourtazez proved by his performance that no frontier is beyond his compass.
The French raider bolted to the front from the start and won untroubled by any of the contestants. The Fourcy trainee established an unassailable lead on turning for home and with Djainka Des Forges and the rest not producing the spark that they were known for, Al Mourtazez kicked on gamely to win by nearly two lengths from Djainka Des Forges. Al Majh’hoor was a further three lengths behind in third.
“This is the race that Sheikh Joaan wants to win more than any other. This is very special and he is here to witness it. It is unbelievable and am delighted for Al Shaqab for another Group one in the bag. I would expect that Al Mourtazez would be pitched in the Qatar Arabian World Cup at Longchamp or maybe even in Goodwood later this year,” Al Shaqab Racing consultant Harry Herbert told the Gulf Times.
Trainer Fourcy was delighted with his two classic victories in Qatar. “It is magical to win two classics here. Al Mourtazez likes to dominate and that is what he did today. He can quicken very easily during the race. He is a very competitive and likes when others come on to him.”
Alban de Mieulle trained Majeed produced a splendid burst of speed in the final furlong to go clear of Masnoon and win the QR800,000 HH The Emir’s Trophy for local bred Pure Arabians four years old and over. Al Shahania Stud’s Ghizwan lacked early speed and virtually had an impossible leeway to cover in the straight. Eventually he finished third.
Umm Qarn bred Majeed’s last win was against Masnoon in the Qatar Deby but had failed in his next mission due to a niggle. Majeed was a faraway fifth to Taraf in HH Sheikh Abdulla Bin Khalifa Al Thani Trophy. Now nursed back to top fitness, Majeed with French champion jockey Oliver Peslier in the saddle, proved his mettle in no uncertain terms as he came with a brilliant stretch run to get past the front runner and win by a length.
“Majeed is a nice horse. In his last run he had some difficulty with the shin. Now he is coming up, not of champion material but a very good local. We are happy this victory and he may go to Europe this summer,” trainer Alban said.

Below right: QREC vice chairman Abdulaziz al-Malki.