Abdulla bin Fahad Al-Attiyah Ch’ezza lands Gr1 PA Qatar Cup

In Qatar-sponsored Qatar Arc Trials at ParisLongchamp

Bluestocking wins Gr1 Qatar Prix Vermeille

H.E. Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al Thani, Ambassador of Qatar, crowned the winners

Mdmar – Paris -JDG

Photo Suzanz Lupa – Scopediga

The Qatar-sponsored Qatar Arc Trials Day took place at ParisLongchamp on Sunday, 15 September 2024. His Excellency Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al Thani, Ambassador of Qatar to France, was present at ParisLongchamp and presented the trophies to the winners of the Qatar Cup – Prix Dragon (Gr 1 PA) landed by Abdulla bin Fahad Al-Attiyah Ch’ezza and the Gr1 Qatar Prix Vermeille won by Juddmonte’s Bluestocking. Both races are the final rehearsals for the Qatar Arabian World Cup (Gr1 PA) and the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Gr1) to be run at the same course in a few weeks.

His Excellency the Ambassador also crowned the winners of the Gr2 Qatar Prix Foy, which was taken by the Bertrand Milliere – owned Iresine, the Gr2 Qatar Prix Niel, which was won by Wertheimer & Frere’s Sosie, the Gr.3 Qatar Prix du Pin, which was won by the Hisaaki Saito- owned Topgear and the Gr. 3 Qatar Prix Du Petit Couvert which was won by the Stal Vie En Rose-owned Pradaro.

The day had nine races on the card and six of them were group contests. All nine contests were marked by the name of Qatar.

CH’EZZA LANDS THE QATAR CUP

The six-year-old Ch’Ezza (Af Albahar) continued to show his top class level by landing the Gr.1 (PA) Qatar Cup – Prix Dragon. With Maxime Guyon in the saddle and trained by François Rohaut, Ch’Ezza was making his return to the track for the first time this year. He was last seen in December when finished third of the Gr.1 (PA) Jewel Crown at Abu Dhabi. Owned by Abdulla Fahad Ah Al-Attiyah, Ch’Ezza is now a dual Gr.1 (PA) winner.

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With the favourite Al Wakrah (TM Fred Texas) making a good pace early on, Ch’Ezza was patiently ridden in second last. Going well in the turn for home, the top class colt did not have to force his talent to win and beat Nabucco Al Maury (Assy) by one and a quarter lengths.

BIG DREAM ALIVE AS BLUESTOCKING WINS THE QATAR PRIX VERMEILLE

The Gr.1 Qatar Prix Vermeille went the way of the four-year-old filly Bluestocking (Camelot) who landed the 2400m contest Arc Trial.

After a good effort against the colts in the Gr.1 Juddmonte International Stakes at York on last outing, the Juddmonte – owned & bred filly improved again by landing a second Gr.1 success to her profile. Trained by Ralph Beckett, the homebred filly was ridden by Rossa Ryan and has now her ticket for the Arc.

Bluestocking tracked the pacemaker Halfday (Lope De Vega) who led at an even pace. Grabbing the lead entering the final straight, the British-trained filly was momently headed by Aventure (Sea The Starts) but rallied inside the final 150m to win by three quarter of a length. Aventure was an excellent second while Emily Upjohn (Sea The Stars) ran a super race in third.

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TOPGEAR BACK TO WINNING WAYS

Runner-up of the Gr.3 Barriere Prix Quincey at Deauville on return, the five-year-old Topgear (Wootton Bassett) landed the day’s opening race, the Gr.3 Qatar Prix du Pin. Owned by Hisaaki Saito and trained by Christopher Head, Topgear is now a dual Gr.3 winner.

With loyal partner Stephane Pasquier in the saddle, the French-trained colt was on the girth of the early leader Mount Athos (Dark Angel). Travelling well into the home straight, the experienced colt quicken nicely to win and beat Ten Bob Tony (Night Of Thunder) by two lengths. Darl Trooper ran a big race to finish third from last.

Winning trainer said after the race: “I love Longchamp, it’s really my fetish track. Stephan gave him a good ride, he rode him with confidence next to the leader and I really liked it. I love the way he strode on, he is really a nice horse.”

IRESINE PROVES MUCH THE BEST IN QATAR PRIX FOY

Sporting the colours of Bertrand Milliere, the seven-year-old, Iresine (Manduro) landed the Gr.2 Qatar Prix Foy. Trained by Jean-Pierre Gauvin and ridden with by Marie Velon, the high class gelding won this race for the second time.

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With the ballydoyle short price favourite Continuous (Heart’s Cry) in the lead, Iresine was surprisingly racing more prominent than usual in second. Once the pace lifted, the son of Manduro easily passed the early leader but had to maintain his effort to hold on the late challenge of Zarir (Frankel) who was only beaten by a short head in second. Continuous was a clear third.

Winning jockey said after the race: “He’s in his back garden here, we can feel it when we go the parade ring, he’s very serene. Physically, I told to Jean-Pierre that I find him perfect. The way he cantered down to the stalls really bluffed me. We wondered if we could ride him uncovered today but we did not want to take the risk. In the end, I rode him uncovered but the race panned out that way and I was happy with him.

UNREAL SOSIE IMPRESSES IN THE QATAR PRIX NIEL

After winning the Gr.1 Grand Prix de Paris when last seen, the superb colt Sosie (Sea The Stars) took the Gr.2 Qatar Prix Niel.

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Owned and bred by Wertheimer & Frere, the three-year-old is trained by Andre Fabre and is now joint-favourite, with Look De Vega, to win the Arc.

Ridden by Maxime Guyon who makes it a double on the card, Sosie travelled in second in a race led by the well fancied Look De Vega (Lope De Vega). With Look De Vega increasing the pace from the false straight, Sosie was gently closing and soon headed the leader at the beginning of the home straight. The homebred colt won by one and half lengths. Delius (Frankel) went second while Look De Vega took third.

Winning jockey said after the race: “2400m is very much his sport. I think he’ll be better on good ground. I did not have him comfortable on that ground today. The home straight is a bit better but in the false straight he did a few mistakes. So I had to get him back on the bridle as he does the minimum. As soon as he got into the lead he pricked his ears and thought the job was done.”

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A SHOCK WINNER AS VETERAN PRADARO LANDS QATAR PETIT COUVERT

After showing a model of consistency, the nine-year-old Pradaro (Penny’s Picnic) landed the Gr.3 Prix du Petit Couvert.

Owned by Stal Vie En Rose and trained by Sofie Lanslots, Pradaro, who was the veteran of the race, showed his best foot to land a second Group success.

In front with three other contenders, the consistent gelding got a bit outpaced over 400m out but rallied gamely to lead close home and win by a short head with Aurelien Lemaitre in the saddle. Electric Storm (Night Of Thunder) was a brave second while Rogue Lightning (Kodiac) was a very close third.

Winning jockey said after the race: “It’s a horse that I love. He already won his Group and he brings us a lot of pleasure. His trainer brings him in top condition every time. He loves it here. It’s a horse that need to be ridden aggressively. He was tough, he gave his heart out today.”

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