(MENAFN- The Peninsula) The Peninsula
Paris: In presence of Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani and H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), Qatar's horses dominated at St Cloud, France, yesterday.
Two successes were secured for Qatar at one of the events associated with the annual Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe held in City of Light under the partnership between the Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club (QREC) and France Galop.
The Qatari excellence came in the Gr 1 Qatar Arabian Trophy Des Poulains when the Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani-owned Marid imposed himself in the 2000-metre contest for colts and was quickly backed up in the following race by another victory in the Gr 1 Qatar Arabian Trophy Des Pouliches when the Al Shaqab Racing-owned Al Haffanah landed the 2000-metre race for fillies.
Following the colts' race, H E Sheikh Joaan, presented the trophy to Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani, the owner of Marid. H E Sheikh Joaan also presented the trophies to the trainer and the jockey. Marid, who lined up for the race as a favourite, gave a brilliant performance to win the Gr 1 Qatar Arabian Trophy Des Poulains. While Marid stayed behind for a while at first and in spite of the tough performance by other runners, he accelerated, under jockey Olivier Peslier and the Antoine de Watrigant's ward was able to be the nearest one to the finish line in the last metres before the post. In fact, Olivier Peslier set the stage for perfection and the delicate Marid won the second Group I of his career after his summer victory in the Prix Kesberoy.
The Didier Guillemin-trained Deryan came second under jockey Mickael Barzalona while the Al Shaqab Racing-owned and Thomas Fourcy-saddled Shalaa completed the frame as third with Qatari jockey Faleh Bughenaim in the saddle.
Qatari victories continued at St Cloud when Al Shaqab Racing's Al Haffana proved she was the best in the Gr 1 Qatar Arabian Trophy Des Pouliches.
The Thomas Fourcy-schooled three-year-old filly dominated throughout the 2000-metre contest and had no issues in landing the fillies title under jockey Julien Augé to remain unbeaten.
The F Sanchez-schooled Bayan was the runner-up under jockey Ioritz Mendizabal while Xavier Thomas Demeaulte's ward Baseel came third and she was helmed by jockey Mickael Barzalona. Nasser bin Sherida Al Kaabi, QREC General Manager, was elated with the Qatari victories at St Cloud racecourse yesterday.
'First of all, I would like to thank Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani and His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of QOC, for their presence at the races, he said,
'Their presence doubled the joy of victory and added to the momentum of the prestigious event held as one of the events associated with the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
'Qatar's superiority in Arabian racing has been the outcome of the commitment of the country's officials of this type of racing. Qatar is a leader in Arabian racing and the domination of Qatar's Arabians is a natural result. Marid and Al Haffanah re-proved that and we look forward to more victories in this renewal of the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe to enhance the world-class standing of Qatar's equestrian sport', he added.
Khalifa bin Mohammed Al Attiyah, Al Shaqab Executive Director, expressed his happiness with the victories realised today at St Cloud, not only for Al Shaqab Racing, but also for Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani.
He said:'No doubt, the presence of Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani and His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of Qatar Olympic Committee, at St Cloud today demonstrates the considerable support we receive in the events where we compete overseas. The joy is doubled when victories come as well.
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