Three Victories for Qatar at Newbury
GAZWAN and METHGAL take Group 1 and Group 3 titles to Al Shahania
QREC Media
JDG
Photo : Debbie Burt
Qatari-owned horses dazzled scoring three victories, including two black type ones, at Newbury on Sunday, 28 July.
HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Thani’sGAZWAN takes home Shadwell Dubai International Stakes(Gr1/PA)
Back on European soil after a successful winter in Doha, the HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Thani-owned GAZWAN(Amer) won the Shadwell Dubai International Stakes (Gr1 PA) very easily. HE Sherida Al-Kaabi’sShabihAlreeh (JaaferAsf) led the field, followed byJaldiKaro (Jehol de Cardonne) while Al Shaqab Racing’sMelabi(Dahess) andGazwantravelled at the rear. OnceGazwan was pulled out and asked to accelerate by his jockey,Olivier Peslier, he flew away to win the 2000-metre contest. Melabitooksecond pace in front of MehdaafAthbah (Amer). Gazwan, with this victory under his belt, has provided his trainer, Julian Smart, witha fifth success in the Shadwell Dubai International Stakesin eleven years.
“He’s a superstar”, commented Julian Smart,“What more can I say about him! He’s run with the best, he’s beaten the best, he’s 8 years old and he’s still going! The plan is to go perhaps to the Prix Dragon– Qatar Cup (Gr1 PA) if I think he needs it, and then the big one. He’s not a horse that need a lot of racing. He’s going to have a bit of downtime now, and then we’ll see.”
HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Thani’sMETHGAL landsDiar International Stakes (Gr3/PA)
METHGAL(TM Fred Texas), also owned by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Thani,landed the Diar International Stakes (Gr3 PA) less than two hour earlier at the same racecourse. Seventh on his debut in Chantilly at the end of June in the Qatar Coupe de France des ChevauxArabes (Gr1 PA), the Julian Smart-trained colt stepped back down in distance and left no chance to his rivals, winningthe 1400-metre run by just over six lengths. The race was led by Munhamer (Monsieur Al Maury). Methgalhad to negotiate his way through a wall of horsesbefore showing an impressive turn of foot, which only Al Shaqab Racing’s Traynah (Dahor de Brugère) was able to follow to take second place.
“We were very disappointed after his race in Chantilly”, said Julian Smart,“He just wasn’t ready. He really improved a lot since that race. He is only a 3yo and works with horses like Ebraz (Amer) and Gazwan (Amer), so I knew his level. I knew he would run well today, but like he did… I am really happy!”
Al Shaqab Racing’s Kair Al Cham wins UAE Embassy in London International Stakes
Al Shaqab Racing’s Kair Al Cham won the UAE Embassy in London International Stakes earlier on the day. Jean-Bernard Eyquem steered the Thomas Fourcy-saddled four-year-old colt to win the 2000-metre race for pure Arabians.
