HH Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani’s MOUNTASIR winsPrix Djerba Oua

JDG

HH Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani’s MOUNTASIR came to the Prix Djerba Oua, a seven-furlong conditions race for Purebred Arabians at La Teste De Buch, France, on Wednesday, 20 May 2020, off a promising debut back in March when he finished fourth. He fulfilled the promise he showed that day and more to win on just his second start.

Starting as one of the favourites of the race, MOUNTASIR jumped well from an outside draw before being settled in mid-division by jockey Olivier Peslier. His jockey kept him well covered until 300m from the post. Once clear, the Thomas Fourcy-trained four-year-old bay colt, he came up under plenty of impulsion to join the more experienced BARADA AL CHAM (AF Albahar), and they locked horns from several strides before two flicks of Peslier’s stick sent MOUNTASIR forward to grab victory by a short head in the final meters. Al Shaqab Racing’s BARADA AL CHAM was the runner-up for the winning trainer Thomas Fourcy and jockey Julien Augé. The Royal Cavalry of Oman-owned and the Philippe Sogorb-trained MALEHA was further one and a half lengths behind in third under jockey Anthony Crastus.

MOUNTASIR is a son of Umm Qarn stallion Tabarak (Nizam), who is based at Haras du Grand Courgeon where MOUNTASIR was raised. He was pre-trained by Eric Ventrou. His dam, Basilic d’Elios (Elios De Carrere), has already produced a number of winners in Qatar. She herself is daughter of blue hen Bergeronnette (Djourna).