Al-Kuwari’s Lady Princess wins QREC-sponsored Group 1 in Deauville

Thomas Fourcy’s runners swept the top three spots in the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC)-sponsored Al Rayyan Cup (Group 1 PA) with Sheail bin Khalifa al-Kuwari’s Lady Princess taking the win in Deauville, France, yesterday.Christophe Soumillon-ridden filly, who had won on her debut at Toulouse in April, showed a smart turn of foot to pull clear and finished ahead of two Al Shaqab Racing runners — Um Taj and Mounjared Al Cham.“I wasn’t sure who would be in front of who. Mounjared Al Cham is becoming a very good horse, but Lady Princess is also very classy, as her early races showed.”Akoya wins Doha CupEarlier in the day, the QREC-sponsored Doha Cup (Group 1 PA) went to Akoya, saddled by Dutch trainer Karin van den Bos.He travelled in second position before storming away with an impressive acceleration once in the straight, putting his rivals to bed. His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani’s Marid went past the post in second, while Al Shaqab Racing’s Khataab finished well to take third. QREC supports French Jockey AssociationThe nine-race meeting at Deauville yesterday was dedicated to the French Jockey Association. Each race was in favour of the Association, which is also supported by France Galop. The sponsorship contributions of the races, including the QREC-sponsored Prix Qatar National Stud race were for the benefit of the French Jockey Association.  Samagace du Vien wins Prix Qatar National StudSamagace du Vien, trained and owned by Stephane Gouvaze, won the QREC-sponsored Prix Qatar National Stud. The win in the miler was the second consecutive win for the five-year-old horse. QREC Board member Khalifa bin Mohamed al-Attiyah presented the trophies to the winning connections of all the three races sponsored by QREC.