Moharram (FR) (Assy x Amandine de Ghazal) battled bravely in the colours of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani to take the Group Three Prix Tidjani, a 1,900-metre contest for three-year-old Purebred Arabian colts and geldings, at La Teste de Buch, France, yesterday.
Moharram got the better of his five rivals to win by a short head, under the saddle of jockey Julian Auge and became the third successive horse to win the group three contest for trainer Thomas Fourcy.
After breaking well from the stalls, Moharram was taken back by Auge and tucked in behind the leaders. Travelling strongly against the rail, Moharram was going the best of all as the field turned into the straight.
Asked for an effort at the 300m mark, the grey colt battled strongly and just held off the challenges of both Dialco (FR) (Josco Du Cayrou x Djalmina ), who rallied well and the debutant His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani’s Salwa (FR) (Kalino x Raqiyah), who was a little green in the straight. Dialco was the eventual runner-up for trainer D Morisson and jockey Emilien Revolte. Salwa finished a further short head back in third for winning trainer and jockey Olivier Peslier.
Bred by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani’s Al Shahania Stud, Moharram is by their top Arabian stallion Assy (AMER), winner of the Group 1 HH The Amir Sword. His dam, Amadine De Ghazal (Dormane) was unraced and is out of Aouita Croixnoire (Tidjani), who produced two winners Amen De Ghazal (Way To Go) and Aloes De Ghazal (Way To Go).


Hargan impresses on debut with win at Prix Nez d’Or

The stoutly bred Hargan (FR) (Al Mamun Monlau x Mkeefa) produced an impressive debut effort when carrying the colours of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani to victory in the Prix Nez d’Or, a race for three-year-old Purebred Arabian maidens, at La Teste de Buch, Frane, yesterday.  
Trained in Pau by François Rohaut, Hargan justified favouritism when taking the 1,900m contest for jockey Valentin Seguy. Always amongst the leaders, Hargan was travelling with plenty of purpose as the field turned for home and produced a strong turn of foot to catch long-time leader Abdullah bin Fahad al-Attiyah’s Penny (FR) (Nieshan x Pamela De Syrah), who proved tough to pass. 100m from the line, Hargan was locked in a duel with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani’s homebred Hareeb (FR) (Mared Al Sahra x Princesse Monlau), but got the better of that rival by a short head. The Thomas Fourcy-trained and Julien Auge-ridden finished second two lengths in front of the third placed Penny.
Bred by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani’s Al Shahania Stud, Hargan is by triple Group one winner Al Mamun Monlau (Muniz) and is out of the top-class Mkeefa (Amer) who won Group Ones at Newbury and Newmarket and as well as the Qatar Arabian World Cup Paris Longchamp.

Hargan sprints to victory. (Robert Polin)