Too Darn Hot, the hot favourite for the Group 1 Qatar Prix Jean Prat, stayed true to his billing as the John Gosden-saddled colt topped the seven-furlong feature of the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC)-sponsored eight-race day at Deauville on Sunday.
The fully-sponsored event is part of QREC’s strategy to enhance Qatar’s presence at the world’s top racing events. QREC Board member Ahmad Mohamed al-Abdulmalik was present at the meeting and presented the trophies to the winners.
Too Darn Hot had Frankie Dettori, who wore the colours of Lord Lloyd Webber, for company, and they stormed home in the final 400m and won by three lengths. It was the colt’s first win since taking the Dewhurst Stakes (Gr1) as a juvenile. It also marked the colt’s return to 1,400 metres, having been tried over longer trips when his stamina was found wanting. 
Following Enable’s victory in the Coral Eclipse (Group 1) at Sandown in the UK on Saturday, the Gosden-Dettori combine made it a quick-double fire by landing Qatar Prix Jean Prat.
“He has a lot of speed,” Dettori said of Too Darn Hot. “He really picked up the pace when asked to quicken. I think that he will stay a mile on a flat track. We will mull matters over with John Gosden, but I’m of the opinion that a race such as the Prix Jacques Le Marois would suit him.”

Far Above wins listed Qatar Prix Kistena

The day included two listed races and the James Tate-saddled Far Above was the winner of the first of them — Qatar Prix Kistena. It is his third win in four career starts and his first listed success so far. Al Shaqab Racing’s Duhail was the runner-up under jockey Vincent Cheminaud for trainer Andre Fabre. 
“He’s a very good horse and has so much speed,” the winning jockey, Patrick-Joseph McDonald, said. “The initial pace wasn’t strong enough for him. However, once he got going, I knew I was going to win. It wasn’t that long ago that we were still thinking of him in terms of being a miler. However, he’s a sprinter through and through. He still has a lot to prove in terms of becoming a Group 1 class performer, but he’s on the right track and he exudes quality. I hope that he continues to remain fit and well.”

Joplin tops listed Qatar Prix De La Calonne - Fonds Européen de l’Élevage
The D. Fechner-saddled German mare Joplin won the second listed race. Although she appeared very late on the scene, she was able to snatch victory from Silvery Mist and open her account at Listed level in the Qatar Prix de la Calonne - Fonds Européen de l’Élevage. The winner was held up for as long as possible by Dettori before going for a gap in the final 400m and landing the title.