A Qatari one-two was the order of the day in the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC)-sponsored Qatar Coupe de France des Chevaux Arabes (Group 2 PA) at Chantilly yesterday.
The mile long race saw a tight finish with Al Shaqab Racing’s Meethag denying His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani’s Al Hazm by a nose at the line.
Moroccan raider, Salma Nour Grine, was a further length back in third.
QREC Racing manager Abdulla Rashid al-Kubaisi was present at the QREC-sponsored event and presented the trophies to the winners.
It was Meethag’s second career start, and she only reiterated the promise she made on her victorious debut in Toulouse earlier this month.
“She showed her business like and professional qualities on her debut and confirmed those impressions today. She is a straight forward ride – with a neat ability to quicken. She is among the best three-year-old fillies in the yard,” Jerome Cabre, the winning rider, said of the Thomas Fourcy runner.
Meethag is a daughter of Dahor de Brugere and Al Nachmiya. The latter was a winner at Group 1 PA level in the colours of HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani. 
The QREC’s sponsorship of the race is part of its strategy to have a strong presence and to facilitate the participation of Qatari-owned horses in Europe, and the world’s top racecourses and racing events.