The champion of Shaqab Racing, Al Mourtajez in action in this file photo.
Chantilly: The world’s most amazing thoroughbreds will be in action in the Qatar Arc Trials for the very first time at Chantilly racecourse in Chantilly, France today.
The race meeting holds three Group races that are preps for Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (October 2), as well, as two Group 3 races and the Qatar Cup – Prix Dragon, Gr1 for purebred Arabians leading to the Qatar Arabian World Cup.
Among the six fillies who will line up in the Qatar Prix Vermeille (Gr1), the favourite will be the three-year-old Left Hand, second in the Prix de Diane Longines to La Cressonnière.
Meanwhile, the four-year-old Candarliya, second in this race last year behind Trêve, will try to improve on last year’s finishing position.
The Qatar Prix Niel (Gr2), for three-year-olds, will see the Japanese horse Makahiki, who arrived a few weeks ago in Chantilly in the hope of providing his country with a first victory in the biggest race in the world. Doha Dream defends the interests of Al Shaqab Racing. He has already won two Listed races and this is his first attempt at Group level.
The Prix Foy (Gr2), for four-year-olds and older, has only four runners and Silverwave, winner of the Grand Prix de Saint Cloud (Gr1), is the one to beat.
The champion of Shaqab Racing, Al Mourtajez, is the hot favourite in the Qatar Cup – Prix Dragon (Gr1 PA). He is coming off a win in the Qatar International Stakes (Gr1 PA) at Goodwood and will be attempting to win the Doha Triple Crown. To do this, he needs to win the Qatar Arabian World Cup plus the HH The Emir’s Sword.
Facing him, Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani has two runners, TM Thunder Struck, a smart second in the Dubai Kahayla Classic (Gr1 PA), and Majeed, a recent second in the Doha Cup (Gr1 PA) at Deauville. Samima, winner of this race last year, will be attempting to hold on to her title.
Meanwhile, the Qatar Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (Gr1) will be a chance to see Al Shaqab Racing’s Zelzal, winner of the Prix Jean Prat (Gr1) back over the same course and distance, and his rival Vadamos, second in the Prix du Haras de Fresnay-Le-Buffard – Jacques Le Marois this summer at Deauville. Second in the Prix du Jockey Club (Gr1), Zarak is coming back to a mile. The prep race for the Qatar Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp (Gr1), the Qatar Prix du Petit Couvert (Gr3) presents Goldream, winner of the Gr1 last year at Longchamp. Largent du Bonheur, who carries the colours of Qatar Racing, will be trying to win his first Group, but he is up against battle hardened horses at this level.
The Qatar Prix Gladiateur (Gr3) could provide the winner of the Qatar Prix du Cadran (Gr1). Vazirabad, one of the best French stayers, will attempt to add another Group to his already impressive record, whilst Mille et Mille, last year’s Qatar Prix du Cadran winner, has a legitimate chance.
