Owned by His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani, the progressive Mutabahi retained his unbeaten record in Lyon-Parilly, France, when taking the Prix Robert De Grandry, a Class 2 contest for three-year-olds, on Wednesday.
Trained by Henri Alex Pantall and ridden to success by Olivier Peslier, Mutabahi won his second race from only five starts this season.
Ridden towards the rear of the five runners on his first attempt at 2,400m, the chestnut colt always travelled well in the hands of Peslier. A steady pace was set by Rock Joyeux and there was very little change to the order throughout the
first half of the tactical race.
Abraaj was always close to the pace and moved up to challenge Rock Joyeux on the turn for home. Still travelling well, Mutabahi followed the move. Abraaj took the advantage 400m out as the sprint for home began, but he always looked covered by Mutabahi, who closed steadily and led 50m from the line. Mutabahi went on win cosily by quarter a length from Saboor who headed Abraaj by a nose on the post.
Bred by Haras De Victot, Mutabahi is by French Fifteen, who also carried the colours of Sheikh Abdullah. His dam Marina Piccola was a listed winner over 2,400m at ParisLongchamp and has produced the German Group 1 winner French King, who coincidentally, like Mutabahi, also broke his maiden at Lyon-Parilly.