Jockey Alexandre Gavilan guides Fakhira towards the finish line.
Doha, Qatar: Fakhira (Al Mamun Monlau), a four-year-old Purebred Arabian filly, recorded another major success by winning the Gr.1 (PA) Liwa International Stakes – Wathba Stallions over 2000m at La Teste, France, yesterday.
The race was reserved for fillies and mares aged four and older and attracted a field of five runners.
Trained by Thomas Fourcy, ridden by Alexandre Gavilan and carrying the colours of Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari, the four-year-old filly, Fakhira confirmed her position among the leading fillies and mares of her generation with another impressive performance.
Fakhira came into the race after winning the Gr.1 (PA) Criterium des Pouliches – Yas Racing over the same course last month.
This latest success gave Fakhira her second Gr.1 (PA) victory and took her career record to four wins from only five starts.
Fakhira broke well and was quickly positioned on the outside, racing just behind Labwa Al Cham (Al Mourtajez), who led that part of the field while staying away from the inside rail.
El Bnoud (Azadi), meanwhile, headed the group racing closer to the rail, with Shagaf (Al Mourtajez) just behind her.
The connections of Fakhira celebrate after the Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari-owned filly won the Gr.1 Liwa International Stakes.
The positions remained much the same approaching the final turn, with Labwa Al Cham still leading Fakhira on the outside.
As they entered the turn, the runners on the outside moved across towards the horses racing near the rail, bringing the field together.
Fakhira was still travelling very comfortably at this stage while most of her rivals were already being asked for an effort. Inside the final 300m, the race quickly developed into a battle between Fakhira and El Bnoud. But approaching the final 200m, Fakhira clearly had more to offer. She changed gear again and pulled away strongly from her rival to score by four lengths.
El Bnoud finished second while Labwa Al Cham held on for third place.
Bred by Sheail bin Khalifa Al Kuwari, Fakhira is by Al Mamun Monlau out of Falsafah (AF Albahar), a winner over 1200m in Qatar at the age of four.
