Al Mourtazez won the Group III French Arabian Breeders Challenge Classic in Toulouse in October. Right: Qatar Arabian World Cup winner Djainka Des Forges is the highest rated filly on the circuit.
By Chris Hoover/Doha
The glamorous HH The Emir’s 24th International Equestrian Sword Festival will be the focus of attention of all racing enthusiasts. The three-day racing carnival offers nearly QR13 million in prize money to the winners. The best horses in the country and abroad will be assembled at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club to have a tilt at the prestigious races from today until February 26.
Going by known form, Al Shaqab Racing’s Al Mourtazez enjoys a clear cut edge over his six rivals. The Thomas Fourcy trained five-year-old bay colt has won four of his five outings in France. He comes to Doha with a fierce reputation and is likely to be installed as the favourite in the QR three million event.
Sporting the colours of HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, Al Mourtazez won the Group III French Arabian Breeders Challenge Classic at Toulouse, France in October. Earlier, the Fourcy trainee had stamped his authority with a fluent victory in the Group I Prix Manganate in Deauville in August. Though he is short of a race run, he has the class to have a big say in the finish.
Julian Smart saddled Djainka Des Forges and Taraf are the ones that can trouble the best on their day. Qatar Arabian World Cup winner and the highest rated filly in the circuit, Djainka Des Forges has been sparingly raced and each step of hers towards the pinnacle of horse-racing in Qatar has been well planned. She is capable of giving its trainer Smart, his fourth success in the most prestigious event of the Qatar racing season. Djainka Des Forges with Richard Mullen in the saddle will go into the race as another strong contender.
Taraf came into her own after two defeats to win HH Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani Trophy and the Qatar Gold Sword. She has being pitched into this race to emulate Assy, who won the event for Al Shahania Stud in 2013. Being a local bred, Taraf like Assy will be matching strides with the world’s best Pure Arabians in the open class. She is in fine form and her connections are quietly confident about her chances in the race.
Trainer Smart feels that Djainka Des Forges and Taraf will run a mighty race. “Djainka Des Forges and Taraf are fit and fine and ready for the challenge. This is the most important race in Doha and one of the most important races in the world. So I would like to run more horses than I am allowed but am permitted to run only three. If given the chance, I would run five or six of our horses,” Smart told the Gulf Times.
“If the race goes well for Taraf, she will be right there but she also has to beat her stable mate Djainka Des Forges. Djainka Des Forges had one preparatory race which she won with ease. We had targeted the President Cup in Abu Dhabi but changed plans and decided to keep her here. I am going into the race extremely nervous as always but confident. The two fillies are in brilliant form. It will take a very good horse to beat them. Whoever beats them deserves to be the champion,” Smart said.
Speaking about the other contenders, Smart said. “Raddad is going to be a massive threat if he repeats his performance in the Qatar Gold Trophy. Sheikh Joaan’s Al Mourtazez and Farh are extremely good and they scare me as they are fierce competitor.”
Among the others in the fray, Omani challenger Raddad has proved to be somewhat of a revelation. The Ahmed Abullah al-Marzooqi trained Raddad has performed above expectation and his latest win in the Qatar Gold Trophy pitches him as a serious contender who can cause an upset.
Al Shaqab Racing’s Dubday goes into the Group I HH The Emir’s Trophy for Thoroughbreds as an overwhelming favourite. In her previous start, Dubday gave a stupendous winning performance in the Qatar Gold Trophy which has raised the hopes of his connections. The manner in which he came with giant strides and the striking acceleration he showed, left one wondering at the amazing talent of this five-year-old chestnut horse. On present form, Dubday surely has an edge over his rivals and only a misfortune can prevent his march to the summit.
The Jassim al-Ghazali trained Dubday’s virtues are too overpowering to ignore and all one can say is that no horse deserves to be the favourite to win the QR two million event more than HE Sheikh Joaan’s prized possession does. Champion Italian saddle artist Frankie Dettori will guide the fortunes of Dubday in this prestigious race.
“Dubday is in great form and if all goes well in the race, he will win. Jockey Dettori also knows the track and the horse very well and I am sure he will bring back the Cup, which he won last year,” trainer Ghazali said.
Ghazali feels that the Emir Sword race is quite open. “Djainka Des Forges is the best filly in the world. Al Mourtazez has not run for a long time and it will be not easy for him. I saw him in Qatar and he looks to be in good shape. Djainka Des Forges is the best filly in the world and Raddad has also got a good chance. I think the race is between these three though Taraf can spring a surprise.”
The QR one million HH The Emir’s Silver Sword for non Sheikh Qatari owners for four-year-old Pure Arabians, wears an open look. There are no super stars in the fray though one is likely to emerge from the action. As such, the 12-horse field looks a minefield and how the explosion takes place, with what impact, is hard to predict with conviction.
However, Ghazali saddled Al Murabitoon comes into the reckoning after his victory over AJS Intifidah in the Qatar Silver Sword in the first week of February. He has been well tuned with this event in mind. He looks to be the horse to beat in this race. His connections are quietly confident of a winning effort from Al Murabitoon.
Today, the QR one million Qatar 2022 Invitational Cup and QR500,000 Gulf Cup will feature the nine event card framed for the day. The Invitational Cup for Thoroughbreds had attracted 16 runners. Marco Botti saddled Golden Steos makes his debut run in Qatar and is likely to be the favourite in the race.
Golden Steps, a progeny of Footstepsinthesand, who has had some good handicap results will have a good chance of having a great run here as long as he takes the travel and the weather well. “It is always an unknown when you take a horse abroad. However we have some of the most experienced travelling staff in the industry, so he has been in good hands. He has been training well. We expect to have a bold show as I feel the track in Qatar will suit him better.” commented trainer Botti.
The Gulf Cup, a mile race for GCC Bred Pure Arabians has 16 horses in the fray and looks to be a very open race.
Tomorrow, the Qatar International Trophy, a Group II race for three years old and over Thoroughbreds and the Qatar International Trophy, a Group I race for Pure Arabian’s will highlight the race card.
Apart from these races, two Fegentri events for Lady jockeys will be held.
Besides the opportunity to watch so many racing stars in action, a couple lucky entrant to the race course can win Mitsibushi car which are to be given away through a raffle draw. There are, as usual, lots of other prizes to be won.
All in all, the HH the Emir’s 24th International Equestrian Sword Festival promises to become another red-letter day in the racing calendar of the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club.
So, it’s a blend of exciting races and loads of entertainment along with an opportunity to win some fabulous prizes at the Al Rayyan racing track from today. So be there. Entry is free.
BELOW:
Al Shaqab Racing’s Dubday goes into the Group I HH The Emir’s Trophy for Thoroughbreds as an overwhelming favourite. Right: Taraf will be matching strides with the world’s best Pure Arabians in the open class.
