Trainer Jean-François Bernard (right) leads in Farh after winning the Prix Nefta at Bordeaux Le Bouscat racecourse in France on Monday.
By Sports Reporter/Doha
A close third in this race last year, Farh FR (Nizam) once again gave her all on the track to win the Group II Pure Arabian Prix Nefta at Bordeaux Le Bouscat racecourse on Monday. The mare held off the final thrust of Ghazwa (Zawam) down the outside, while de Monlau FR (Munjiz) finished back in third.
Farh had not been seen on the track since her success in the French Arabian Breeders’ Challenge Classic (Listed PA) on October 30th in Toulouse. She was entered in the Emir’s Sword (Gr1 PA) in Doha this winter but did not take part in the race. Her trainer Jean-François Bernard, who holds her in high regard, knew to be patient in order to have her at her best for this Prix Nefta (Gr2 PA) which she won impressively. Out of Fifth FR (Tidjani), she comes from the Watrigant family’s breeding operation and is from the top maternal family of Dormane FR (Manganate).
“This mare is exceptional as she always has something left in the tank for the finish even if this race wasn’t run fast enough for her, as she was very keen on her return”, commented Jean-François Bernard.
Running in the colours of Al Shaqab Racing, the daughter of stallion Nizam GB (Amer) has high ambition this season. “I promised Sheikh Joaan that I would have her at her best to take on the colts on Arc day, in the Qatar Arabian World Cup (Gr1 PA), as there is no programme for five-year-old females. That is our objective and we will see what races she will run before then as she is very delicate! The heavier the ground is on Arc day, the better her chances against the colts will be. She can be keen but when she is calm she is capable of coming from behind to take on her rivals”, he added.
