HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani (fifth from left), HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani (fourth from left), jockey Julien Auge (third from left) and other delegates pose during the presentation ceremony after Al Shaqab Racing's Al Mourtajez won the Qatar Arabian World Cup at the Longchamp Racecourse in Paris yesterday.
By Mikhil Bhat/Paris
Al Shaqab Racing’s Al Mourtajez made an imperious run right from the start to win the Qatar Arabian World Cup at Longchamp Racecourse in Paris yesterday.
The son of Dahess held an iron grip on the race to deny Sir Bani Yas, owned by Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan, a shot at the Qatar Arabian Triple Crown, even as HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani’s Gazwan rose through the ranks to complete a one-two for Qatar.
The Amer progeny made up considerable ground as the 2000m 1mn euro race progressed and did enough to finish half-a-length ahead of Sir Bani Yas.
The Qatar Arabian Triple Crown was announced earlier this year for Purebred Arabians. It features a million dollar bonus prize for the champion who manages to win all three of the prestigious Arabian races – Qatar International Stakes (Goodwood), Qatar Arabian World Cup (Longchamp) and HH The Emir’s Sword (Doha).
Defending champion Djainka Des Forges, also trained by Julian Smart like Gazwan, finished fourth ahead of Al Shaqab Racing’s Al Mouwaffak.
“Al Mourtajez is a champion. We have seen him in Qatar before and he won the HH The Emir’s sword in the same style,” said Al Shaqab Racing general manager Khalifa al-Attiyah.
Al Mourtajez’s trainer Thomas Fourcy was a relieved man after his colt bounced back from a disappointing result where he was nowhere near the top in the Dragon Arab Group 1 Stakes at the same venue last month.
“We are very relieved. The last time I did not understand. Maybe I did not give the right orders, I don’t know, but I didn’t have any viable explanation. Today, he really proved himself. I knew my horse was good, but I was scared all week. I am a young trainer and I still have things to learn… He is exceptional. I won my Arc,” Fourcy said after the win.
Jockey Julien Auge was all praise for the Dahess colt for his speed. “He has an unusual acceleration for a Purebred Arabian. He is almost a Thoroughbred. Last time, he was a shadow of himself. He did not go forward. Sometimes, it happens.”
Gazwan’s run through the field only earned praise from his owners.
“It was a great performance. Even at 4, he needs to mature. His jockey thinks next year he could win this race,” said Al Shahania Racing’s stud manager Thierry de Chambord.
Asked what does the future hold for Al Mourtajez, al-Attiyah said, “I think he is one of the best horses we have. I think he will be going to the stud.”
Al-Attiyah added that Al Mouwaffak will most likely represent Al Shaqab Racing at the Arabian World Cup next year. “He is the one to improve next year. And we have Mister Ginoux, who is also a very good horse.”
