HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa honours ParisLongchamp victors
- HM Alchahine wins Qatar Arabian World Cup
- Daryz defends Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe crown
Mdmar – Paris – JDG
HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al-Thani and HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Thani attended the pinnacle day of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Weekend at ParisLongchamp on Sunday 4 October. HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al-Thani presented the trophies to the winning connections of the Gr.1 PA Qatar Arabian World Cup, in the presence of QREC Chairman Mr Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al-Attiyah and France Galop Chairman Mr Guillaume de Saint-Seine. HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al-Thani subsequently bestowed the silverware for the Gr.1 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, attended by HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the French Republic Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al Thani, France Galop Chairman Mr Guillaume de Saint-Seine and France Galop Vice Chairman Mr Arnaud de Seyssel.
The 2026 renewals of both showpiece contests saw champions forge their names into legend. HM Alchahine claimed the Qatar Arabian World Cup for owner Helal Alalawi trainer Mrs JF. Bernard and jockey Cristian Demuro, heralding a new era at the pinnacle of purebred Arabian racing following Al Ghadeer’s firm grip on the title across the past three renewals. Meanwhile, last year’s Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Daryz (Sea The Stars x Daryakana) successfully returned to defend his crown in Europe’s premier Thoroughbred spectacle, joining an exclusive fraternity of back-to-back winners in the race’s storied history. The champion was campaigned by Aga Khan Studs SC, trained by Francis-Henri Graffard and ridden by Mickael Barzalona.
The exceptional 10-race card featured eight supporting races, including five additional Group 1 contests, with dignitaries honouring the successful connections:
HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the French Republic Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al Thani, joined by France Galop Board Member Mr Frédéric Landon, handed over the trophies for the Gr.1 Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère – Grand Critérium to the winning connections of Amusingly (No Nay Never x Joyeuse) owned by Juddmonte Farms Incorporation, trained by Francis Henry Graffard and ridden by Colin Keane.
QREC Chairman Mr Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al-Attiyah, alongside France Galop Board Member Mr Hervé d’Armaillé, bestowed the trophies for the Gr.1 Qatar Prix de la Forêt upon the winning connections of True Love (No Nay Never x Alluringly) owned by Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and Susan Magnier, saddled by Aidan O’Brien and steered to triumph by Ryan Moore
QREC Vice Chairman Mr Rashid bin Nasser Sraiya Al-Kaabi and France Galop Board Member Ms Pauline Chehboub presented the awards for the Gr.1 Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac – Critérium des Pouliches to the connections of Green Empress (Saxon Warrior x Sea Empress)
owner The Thoroughbred Racing Corporation, trainer Joseph O’brien and jockey Christophe Soumillon.
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Longines CEO Mr Patrick Aoun, alongside France Galop Board Member Mr Anthony Baudouin, awarded the prizes for the Gr.1 Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp Longines to the winning connections of Miss Yechance (Cotai Glory x Rosie Bassett) carrying the colours of Al Leith Racing Club, from the stable of Karl Burke and guided to victory by Jack Nicholls.
Longines CEO Mr Patrick Aoun, accompanied by France Galop Board Member Mr Nicolas de Chambure, presented the silverware for the Gr.1 Prix de l’Opéra Longines to the connections of Miss Scott (Night Of Thunder x Queen Guenevere), who is owned by The Thoroughbred Racing Corporation Ltd, trained by John & Thady Gosden and was ridden by Christophe
HM Alchahine Comes Late in Gr.1 PA Qatar Arabian World Cup
HM Alchahine (Al Mourtajez), a six-year-old Purebred Arabian horse, won the Gr.1 (PA) Qatar Arabian World Cup over 2000m. The race was open to Purebred Arabians aged four and upwards, and twelve went to post. In the colours of Helal Alalawi, trained by Madame Jean-François Bernard, and ridden by Cristian Demuro, HM Alchahine claimed another Gr.1 (PA) success.
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He had won the Gr.1 (PA) Qatar Cup – Prix Dragon on his previous start. In 2025 he had finished second in this race. He is now a six-time Gr.1 (PA) winner.
Cristian Demuro took a hold soon after the start and settled HM Alchahine at the back, as usual. His pacemaker Rumz (Azadi) led the field, with Hajmah (Al Mourtajez) in his slipstream and Geneva (Azadi) on the inside. Once the field was formed on two lines, every runner looked happy in his place. HM Alchahine was still at the back, with Molfit beside him, while Maqbool was last. Into the false straight, HM Alchahine was fighting for room with Molfit, who was still on his outside and would not make life easy. Rumz was still in front, with Hajmah in second and Geneva in third. Coming out of the final bend, HM Alchahine was last and looking for a gap. Hajmah had taken the lead, with Geneva in second. Inside the final 300m, HM Alchahine began to make progress and closed quickly on the leaders. Inside the final 200m he was fifth, with Hajmah still in front. Inside the final 100m he showed a strong turn of foot and came to the two leaders. Inside the final 50m he took the lead and won by three quarters of a length. Hajmah finished second, with Chdia taking third.
Winning trainer said after the race: “He really is an exceptional horse, because to do what he did today… you never drop back in a race. He dropped back and found himself last turning into the straight. Last, but it’s just crazy. The ground he made up, the ground he made up, going three times faster than everyone else, it’s… I’ve never seen a champion like him.”
Responding to a question about HM Alchahine potentially contesting the HH The Amir Sword next February, she explained that today was her final day training the champion, who will now return to the owner’s supervision and training. She added that the owner had informed her that, due to health considerations, HM Alchahine will not compete in the HH The Amir Sword in Doha, meaning that his appearance in Abu Dhabi marked the final start of his career. She acknowledged that this represents a major loss, but said that health considerations, AI-driven analysis and veterinary advice had all pointed towards this decision.
Daryz Does It Again in the Gr.1 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe
Daryz (Sea The Stars), won the Gr.1 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe over 2400m. A high-quality field of 16 lined up, in a race open to horses aged three and upwards. Trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, ridden by Mickael Barzalona, and owned and bred by Aga Khan Studs, the four year-old colt won the race for the second year in a row.
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He had won the Gr.2 Prix Foy over 2400m at ParisLongchamp on his previous start. This year he had also won the Gr.1 Prix Ganay and the Gr.1 Prix d’Ispahan. He is now a two-time winner of the Arc, and a four-time Gr.1 winner.
Daryz was the slowest to leave the stalls. Friendly Soul (Kingman) went to the front. After 200m, Daryz was soon at the back of the field, in the centre, and he was pulling a little. As the field formed, Meisho Tabaru (Gold Ship) took the lead, with Bay City Roller (New Bay) on his outside and Friendly Soul in third. Daryz raced at the back, just behind Diamond Necklace (St Mark’s Basilica). Into the false straight, Meisho Tabaru was still in front. Bay City Roller, still on his outside, began to put him under pressure, while Daryz closed in the slipstream of Diamond Necklace. He was being taken along. Into the home straight, Daryz followed Diamond Necklace as she made progress. Inside the final 400m he switched out, just as Bay City Roller took the lead. Inside the final 250m, Daryz was alongside Diamond Necklace. He went past her inside the final 200m, with Bay City Roller still in front. Inside the final 100m he went by Bay City Roller and won by one and a quarter lengths. Bay City Roller finished second, with Diamond Necklace taking third.
Winning jockey said after the race: “The beginning of the race was quite tough, and you need a big horse to get through it. I was confident that if I could get him into a comfortable racing rhythm and keep him out of trouble, he would be able to make the difference. But it’s never easy. We got away and there were horses dropping in extremely quickly, which disrupted all the plans a little bit. But you need a lot of quality, and he has that. He knows what he is. This victory is very important. It was the objective of the year, so it’s great when it works out.”
Green Empress Takes Gr.1 Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac
Green Empress (Saxon Warrior) won the Gr.1 Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac over 1600m. Reserved for two-year-old fillies, the race drew a field of twelve. Trained by Joseph O’Brien, ridden by Christophe Soumillon, and carrying the colours of The Thoroughbred Racing Corporation, Green Empress claimed her first Gr.1 success.
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She had finished second in the Gr.1 Moyglare Stud Stakes over 1400m at the Curragh on her previous start, beaten by the champion filly Sun Goddess. Before that she had won the Gr.2 Debutante Stakes over 1400m at the Curragh.
Green Empress broke correctly and settled in midfield, in sixth place behind Data (Lope De Vega). Spirit Tango (Sioux Nation) led at a strong pace. Into the false straight every runner looked settled, then the leader eased a little and the field became more compact. Spirit Tango was still in front, So Lovely (Wootton Bassett) raced in second, and Green Empress was still sixth, tracking Data. Into the home straight, Christophe Soumillon pulled Green Empress out of Data’s slipstream and switched her to the outside. Spirit Tango, the leader, was injured and stopped suddenly. The fillies behind her had to avoid her, and that cost them a little time. Green Empress, racing on the outside, came to the leaders. Inside the final 200m she was in a battle with Data and Queen of the Day (No Nay Never). Inside the final 150m she took a narrow lead. Data fought on and would not give in, but Green Empress held on and won by a head. Data finished second, with Queen of the Day taking third.
Amusingly Beats the Colts in Gr.1 Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere
Amusingly (No Nay Never) won the Gr.1 Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere over 1400m. Reserved for two-year-olds, the race drew a field of ten. The homebred two-year-old was the only filly in the field. A filly had not won this race since Happily in 2017. Ridden by Colin Keane, trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, and carrying the colours of Juddmonte, Amusingly claimed her first Gr.1 success.
She had raced only twice before this. She won on her debut over 1400m at Compiegne, and she did it easily. On her return she finished second in the Gr.2 Prix d’Aumale over 1600m at ParisLongchamp, after pulling very hard. This was her second win from three starts. She is now a Gr.1 winner.
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Colin Keane took a hold soon after the start and settled Amusingly in last place. Crusherman (Acclamation) led at a strong pace, with Florida Bay (Mehmas) racing on his outside. Coming out of the first bend and into the false straight, Amusingly was pulling, while the pace stayed strong. Into the home straight she was still last, but travelling very strongly. Inside the final 400m, Florida Bay went past the leader, while Colin Keane switched Amusingly to the outside. She was going very easily. Inside the final 250m she was still cruising. She began to pass her rivals without effort, and her jockey had still not asked her. She moved into fifth. Inside the final 150m, Colin Keane asked her to go. She showed a strong turn of foot and took the lead. The favourite Folsom Blues (Blue Point) tried to go with her and fight. Amusingly found more under that challenge and won by one and a quarter lengths. Folsom Blues finished second, with Man’s Best Friend taking third.
True Love Bounces Back in the Gr.1 Qatar Prix de la Forêt
True Love (No Nay Never), a three-year-old filly, won the Gr.1 Qatar Prix de la Forêt over 1400m. Eight runners lined up in a race open to horses aged three and upwards. Ridden by Ryan Moore and trained by Aidan O’Brien, for owners Michael Tabor, Susan Magnier and Derrick Smith, True Love claimed another Gr.1 success.
She bounced back from a sixth place in the Gr.1 Matron Stakes over 1600m at Leopardstown last time. This year she had won the Gr.1 1000 Guineas over 1600m at Newmarket. At two she had won the Gr.1 Cheveley Park Stakes over 1200m. She is now a three-time Gr.1 winner.
True Love jumped well and was soon up with the pace. After 100m, Marvelman (Invincible Spirit) took the lead, with My Calyx Cen (Calyx) on his outside and Puerto Rico (Wootton Bassett) even wider. Into the first bend, True Love was fifth, in the slipstream of My Calyx Cen, in a strongly run race still led by Marvelman. Coming out of the false straight, she was still fifth, alongside Thesecretadversary (St Mark’s Basilica), and she looked to be going well. Inside the final 400m she was looking for a gap, while Ryan Moore kept her company. Marvelman was still in front, with Puerto Rico on his outside and Nighttime (Wootton Bassett) on the inside. Inside the final 250m she began to gain on the leaders. Marvelman started to tire. Nighttime was still in front. Inside the final 100m she was in a battle with Puerto Rico, while Nighttime led by a length. In the last strides, in a three-way fight, she came to Nighttime and beat her by a head. Nighttime finished second, with Puerto Rico taking third.
Qatar’s Sporting Legacy: Vision, Excellence and Global Impact
The conclusion of the 2026 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend at ParisLongchamp cements an 18-year alliance that has permanently reshaped international horse racing. Since QREC and France Galop joined forces in 2008, this landmark arrangement has transcended mere traditional sponsorship, transforming into a vital engine for European bloodstock. Above all, it has granted Purebred Arabians an unassailable position alongside Thoroughbreds on the sport’s grandest stage, headlined by the Gr.1 PA Qatar Arabian World Cup immediately preceding the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe itself.
This alliance also birthed the Doha Triple Crown, a brutal test of versatility spanning three countries and varying distances: Goodwood’s 1,600m Qatar International Stakes, ParisLongchamp’s 2,000m World Cup and Al Rayyan’s 2,400m HH The Amir Sword. Requiring a horse to conquer fast, and at times heavy, ground, tactical European tempo and Doha stamina, the prize remained elusive until H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Thani’s Ebraz swept all three legs in 2020. That historic mark was subsequently matched and expanded upon by Al Ghadeer, whose back-to-back victories across 2023 and 2024 took the achievement to an unprecedented level and redefined modern Arabian racing standards.
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The “Mdmar” website which was Founded by Khaled Makhlouf in 2007 for horse and equestrian races is keen to cover and follow all competitions related to horses, from show jumping, Horseracing, speed and endurance races, and purebred Arabian horse beauty shows, which belong to the Arab Gulf countries at home and abroad in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the State of Qatar, the State of Kuwait, the Sultanate of Oman, and the Kingdom of Bahrain.
