Al Shaqab on top in Casablanca

Al Shaqab Racing dominated the Pure Arabians meeting at Casablanca’s Anfa Racecourse on Sunday, winning three big races – Prix The President Of The UAE Cup for Pure Arabians, Grand Prix of HRH Crown Prince El Hassan of Morocco (Gr3 PA) and the Grand Prix of HM King Mohammed VI of Morocco (Gr3 PA).
Qatari jockey Faleh Bughenaim brilliantly steered Al Shaqab’s Al Nashmi and Jeyoosh to land the Prix The President Of The UAE Cup and the Grand Prix of HRH Crown Prince El Hassan of Morocco respectively.
Al Shaqab continued their domination of the Meeting International du Maroc 2016 to win the Grand Prix of HM King Mohammed VI of Morocco through Metrag, who was ridden to victory by Julien Auge.
HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani’s support for Bughenaim, offering him several opportunities to ride top-quality horses overseas, was duly repaid by the jockey at the meeting.
Bughenaim first rode J Bernard’s ward Al Nashmi to win the 2100m Prix The President Of The UAE Cup. Qatar’s ambassador to Morocco Abdullah bin Falah al-Dosari received all three trophies landed by Al Shaqab for the event.
The jockey then guided Thomas Fourcy’s charge Jeyoosh to a fine victory in the 1900m Grand Prix of HRH Crown Prince El Hassan of Morocco (Gr3 PA).
Fourcy’s other winner of the card for Al Shaqab was Metrag, who won the 2100m Grand Prix of HM King Mohammed VI of Morocco, under Julien Auge.
“This is one of the most significant racing events here in Morocco, especially with several countries participating in the event,” al-Dosari, who attended the event with Mansoor Abdullah al-Sulaiti, adviser of the Embassy of Qatar in Morocco, said.
“To win three featured events on the same day is a creditable achievement, particularly as the challenge was tough. In fact, the challenge got even tougher after Al Shaqab had won the Prix The President Of The UAE Cup and the Grand Prix of H.R.H Crown Prince El Hassan of Morocco. Everyone was looking forward to the Grand Prix of HM King Mohammed VI of Morocco. The officials, from the UAE and Morocco, who are present at the meeting, told me the Grand Prix of HM King Mohammed VI would have another winner. However, Metrag felt differently.”
The ambassador added: “During the event, Moroccan officials expressed their wish of having a larger Qatari presence next year by sponsoring some of the day’s races and increasing the number of runners. Last month, there was a large Qatari presence and participation, by Qatar Equestrian Federation, Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club and Al Shaqab (member of Qatar Foundation) in the Salon du Cheval in El Jadida, Morocco, which is held annually under the patronage of HM King Mohammed VI of Morocco.”
Al Shaqab Arabian Racing manager Khalfan Mohamed al-Suwaidi was delighted with the triple victory.
“We are happy with Al Shaqab’s victories in this meeting, particularly with the two victories through the Qatari jockey, Faleh Bughenaim, with Al Nashmi and Jeyoosh. It is wonderful as we, in Al Shaqab, always aspire to win with Al Shaqab-bred horses and a Qatari jockey in listed races, as was the case today. We now look forward to repeat such success with a Qatari trainer as well,” al-Suwaidi said.
“We would like to congratulate HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani for these victories. Reaching such a stage of success has not been possible without His Excellency’s attention, continued support and trust in the team.
“Paying attention to purebred Arabian horses is not new to Qatar after all. In addition, HE Sheikh Joaan provided proper support to jockey Faleh Bughenaim, including training with first-class trainers and riding top-quality horses. Faleh, as a result, has succeeded in getting himself a place in races held outside Qatar.
“As the season outside Qatar is approaching its end, we will focus our attention on the race meetings held at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club, where we will have several challenges in Qatar Derby, Qatar International Race and HH The Emir’s Sword. Al Shaqab will be present at all these major events and Faleh Bughenaim will be present too for more victories.
“I would like also to thank HE Abdullah bin Falah al-Dosari, ambassador of Qatar to Morocco, for attending the event and His Excellency’s support to Al Shaqab’s team.”