Al Shaqab Racing's Treve is drawn for gate number eight for tomorrow's Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp Racecourse in Paris yesterday. PICTURES: Juhaim
By Mikhil Bhat/Paris
At yesterday’s draw ceremony for tomorrow’s Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, New Bay’s name was drawn first by Paris Saint-Germain and France national women’s team defender Boulleau Laure.
The winner of Prix du Jockey Club and Qatar Prix Niel, who is considered the second favourite to win the Arc, drew number 5.
Four more names were drawn and many of the 100-odd people at the ceremony grew restless waiting for a name.
There was quite a shuffling around when Laure announced the name Treve after picking it up from the bowl. The Al Shaqab Racing’s mare, the favourite to win the Arc for the third straight time, will start the race from the eighth gate, not the closest to the rails but close enough to be comfortable in the race.
With the sponsorship of what is arguably the world’s most prestigious race and Treve as a favourite to win this year, the spotlight is on Qatar.
“It does augur well for us as a country. But at the same time, as Qataris we also have a little pressure on us because all the focus is on Treve,” Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club general manager Nasser Sherida al-Kaabi told Gulf Times yesterday after the draw at Paris’ iconic Longchamp Racecourse.
“I think we are up to it and I hope we achieve this win for Qatar. It will be Qatar’s stamp on history. I think it is important for us to be here and also to try and win this race. Competition is there and we respect everyone that is racing. We hope to achieve what we have set out to do.”
Asked about Golden Horn owner Anthony Oppenheimer’s comments on his horse beating Treve, al-Kaabi in a calm demeanour said, “Anyone can say what they want. As far as we are concerned we are focused on our work and we are focused on what we want achieve. Our goal is to win the Arc.”
Talking about Qatar’s sponsorship of the event, he said, “Arc de Triomphe is a major festival where people from all over the world join us here. I have read in the news that the event has around 1 billion viewers from around the world. I think this is major promotion for Qatar. With so many people watching this prestigious race, they know that Qatar is involved with it.”
Also to be run tomorrow is the 2000m Group 1 race for Purebred Arabians, Qatar Arabian World Cup. HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al-Thani-owned Djainka Des Forges, who won the one million euro race last time round, will start from the ninth gate on Sunday.
The Julian Smart-trained horse will be up against some of the best Arabians in the race, notable among them HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani’s Kalino, Majeed and TM Thunder Struck, HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani’s Gazwan and Sir Bani Yas.
“I believe that the draw is not a big factor in the races. If there is not much traffic, we should be doing well,” Alban de Mieulle, who is the trainer for the three horses of HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani in the fray, told Gulf Times.
“For me, I think the best horse will win. Yes, if you start on the inside, you have an advantage but if you start slow while you are inside, you could hit traffic. So the way I look at it, it works both ways. So it depends on your horses,” the Frenchman added.
Asked who is he most hopeful for, he said, “I think TM Thunder Struck will do well. He did well last time too and in the preparation for this weekend, two weeks ago, he lost just by a neck against a good horse. He can do something nice on Sunday.”
