QREC-sponsored Group 1 PA feature highlights action at Deauville
Alkrar Secures Al Rayyan Cup Glory
HM Alchahine Claims Thrilling Doha Cup Victory
Mdmar – JDG – France
Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) Chairman Mr Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al Attiya and QREC Board Member Mr Khalifa bin Mohammed Al-Attiyah presented the trophies for the QREC-sponsored Al Rayyan Cup (Prix Kesberoy) and Doha Cup (Prix Manganate). Their presentation crowned a stellar afternoon of Group 1 PA action across the two contests staged at Deauville on Tuesday, 4 August 2026.
Alkrar Remains Unbeaten
Alkrar (Azadi), the unbeaten three-year-old colt, claimed his first victory at the highest level by winning the Gr.1 (PA) Al Rayyan Cup – Prix Kesberoy over 2000m. The race was contested by a field of four runners, comprising three colts and one filly. The race was reserved for three-year-old Purebred Arabians.
Trained by François Rohaut, ridden by Christophe Soumillon and owned and bred by Al Wasmiyah Racing, the homebred colt maintained his perfect record with a determined performance.
*“mdmar” website for horse racing and equestrian News
Alkrar came into the race unbeaten in two previous starts. He made a successful debut over 1600m at La Teste, winning comfortably, before confirming his potential on his second appearance by taking a Gr.3 (PA) contest over 1900m at the same racecourse. His victory at Deauville therefore marked his third success from three starts and his first at Gr.1 (PA) level.
Alkrar broke very well from the stalls but was immediately taken back by Christophe Soumillon to settle in third position, just behind Balsam (Mister Ginoux). Zahim (Al Mamun Monlau) led the field in a single-file formation, followed by Balsam in second, Alkrar in third, and Npedor De Bozouls (Al Mourtajez) at the rear.
*“mdmar” website for horse racing and equestrian News
With the runners travelling at an even tempo, the order remained unchanged throughout most of the race. Leaving the final turn, Christophe Soumillon made an early move aboard Alkrar and quickly sent him forward to join Balsam at the head of the field.
The two runners soon pulled clear of the other runners, but Balsam continued to offer strong resistance as they approached the final 200m. In a thrilling finish, Alkrar found something extra under pressure and gradually gained the advantage, eventually prevailing by three-quarters of a length. Balsam finished second, with Zahim taking third.
*“mdmar” website for horse racing and equestrian News
Bred by Al Wasmiyah Racing, Alkrar is out of Nacrée Al Maury (Kesberoy), a Gr.3 (PA) winner over 1400m at Toulouse at the age of five. He is a half-brother to the outstanding Lady Princess (General), a nine-time Gr.1 (PA) winner over distances ranging from 1600m to 2400m between the ages of three and six. Alkrar is also a half-brother to Mister Ginoux (Amer), who won a Gr.1 (PA) over 1600m at four. At the same age, Mister Ginoux also won a Gr.2 (PA) over 2000m at Chantilly, the Derby des Pur-Sang Arabes de Quatre Ans, having previously claimed a Gr.3 (PA) over 1600m at Toulouse at three.
Hm Alchahine Claims Fourth Gr.1 Victory
HM Alchahine (Al Mourtajez), the talented six-year-old colt, claimed the fourth Gr.1 (PA) victory of his career by winning the Gr.1 (PA) Doha Cup (Prix Manganate) over 2000m. The race was reserved for four-year-old and older Purebred Arabians and attracted a strong field of seven runners.
*“mdmar” website for horse racing and equestrian News
Trained by Mme Jean-François Bernard, ridden by Cristian Demuro, and owned by Helal Alalawi, HM Alchahine produced an impressive turn of foot to win once again at the highest level.
The six-year-old came into the race following an excellent seasonal reappearance at La Teste the previous month, when he finished third in the Gr.2 (PA) Prix Deryan over 1900m.
As is often the case, HM Alchahine was settled at the rear of the field during the early stages. The free-going Romeo At (Af Al Buraq) immediately took the lead and set a good tempo, with Al Theeb (Azadi) racing in second position and Laffan (Af Al Buraq) in third.
*“mdmar” website for horse racing and equestrian News
At the back of the field, HM Alchahine travelled comfortably and switched off under Cristian Demuro. Romeo At attempted to steady the pace slightly as the runners approached the final turn, while the positions remained mostly unchanged.
Leaving the final turn, Romeo At kicked clear and lifted the pace. Al Theeb was quickly placed under pressure and was unable to follow the leader’s acceleration. However, HM Alchahine began to make rapid progress on the far outside.
HM Alchahine produced a devastating turn of foot to sweep past the entire field. Only Laffan was able to give chase, but he could not match the winner’s acceleration.
*“mdmar” website for horse racing and equestrian News
HM Alchahine continued strongly to win by one and a half lengths, with Laffan finishing second and Romeo At holding on for third.
Bred by H. Mousli and Mme N. Mousalli, HM Alchahine is out of Al Chyhanah (Munjiz) and is a full brother to HM Al Zalmaa (Al Mourtajez), a Gr.1 (PA) winner over 2000m at three who was also successful over 1400m at the same age. Al Chyhanah is a half-sister to Al Seif (Tidjani), a winner over 1700m at four, and to Al Mouzna (Dormane), who finished second over 2000m at three.
*“mdmar” website for horse racing and equestrian News
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.
