Sheikh A.B Khalifa’s Marid wins Al Rayyan Cup Sheikh M.B Khalifa’s Rajeh wins Doha Cup at Deauville
JDG
photo :Suzanna
Qatar’s horses dominated at Deauville, France on Saturday, prevailing in the two Group Ones for Purebred Arabians; namely Al Rayyan Cup – Prix Kesberoy and Doha Cup – Prix Manganate. Nasser bin Sherida Al Kaabi, QREC General Manager, was present and he presented the trophies to the winners.
The HH Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani-owned colt, Marid (Tm Fred Texas), resisted well in order to win the Al Rayyan Cup – Prix Kesberoy (Gr1 PA), at Deauville on Saturday. In the early stages of the 2,000-metre contest, Marid cantered in second position behind the leader and only filly in the field, Mashael (Seraphin du Paon), who led at a very low pace. Marid easily passed his rival and resisted well to Deryan’s (Mahabb) comeback to grab the spoils and land the title.
“He is not an easy horse”, said Antoine de Watrigant, trainer of Marid, “but he is very good. In the last turn, he looked like he was cantering very easily. He was cold on his debuts. Since then, I took off the blinkers and he keeps going faster. I am happy that Alban trusts me and my team. We are very happy! He could go towards the race in Saint-Cloud a few days before the Arc.”
Lately, Marid finished third of the Qatar Coupe de France des Chevaux Arabes (Gr2 PA).
Rajeh fights for Doha Cup – Prix Manganate (Gr1 PA)
The Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani-owned horse, Rajeh (Jaafer Asf), took home the Doha Cup – Prix Manganate (Gr1 PA) on Saturday at Deauville. Cantering at the back of the field, he accelerated in the middle of the track in the home straight with Khataab (Amer) and Rodess du Loup (Dahess). Fighting with Rodess du Loup for victory, Rajeh finally had the last word and won by three quarters of a length. Rodess du Loup finished second in front of Taymour (Mahabb), third.
“Last time, we were very disappointed”, said François Rohaut, trainer of Rajeh, “We put blinkers on him. Last year everything was easy, but in 2018, we have to fight. Today, he’s come a long way in a race without pace. He was the best 3-year-old in 2017 and becomes the best 4-year-old. I’m not sure I’m going to the big race in ParisLongchamp. His owner has many good horses. He [Rajeh] is 4yos and we can eventually consider the Qatar Arabian World Cup for next year. We’ll discuss it together. I believe that this year we have a large generation of 4yos. He still needs to mature. He does it on his quality. Maybe he could go on the Qatar Prix Dragon and then we’ll see.”
