Namira Al Cham landed her first victory in the colours of Al Shaqab Racing in Toulouse, France, yesterday.
Having run in highly competitive company on her first three starts, the chestnut filly lined up in the Prix Fernand Flottes, run over 2,100m for four-year-old and older Purebred Arabians, wearing blinkers for the first time.
M Almaysam set a selective pace, with Namira Al Cham sitting in behind the leaders. After 1,000m, Al Mahbooba was ridden up to take the lead and she set off at a very quick pace. The Jerome Cabre-ridden Namira Al Cham was the only other runner in the race who managed to stay with Al Mahbooba through the final turn.
Once in the straight, the 4-year-old ward of Thomas Fourcy had to put her head down and fight to the line, holding off a strong finish from Gohar Du Breuil (Al Mamun Monlau), in Al Shaqab Racing colours as well, to win by half a length.
Gohar Du Breuil, ridden by Maxime Foulon, was the runner-up for trainer Charles Gourdain. The Patrick Saint-Martin-owned and D. Morisson-trained Sharkh (Majd Al Arab) was only a further head behind in third under Mickael Forest.
Namira Al Cham was bred by Hassan Mousli, Nada Mousalli and Faiz al-Elweet.