Al Shaqab Racing's Sahlan Claims Qatar Prix Du Moulin De Longchamp Crown

Doha, Qatar: Sahlan, homebred and owned by Al Shaqab Racing, secured a major international triumph yesterday by winning the prestigious Qatar Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (Group 1) for Thoroughbreds at ParisLongchamp, France.

The victory headlined the Qatar Arc Trials, an event sponsored by Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) and attended by QREC Chairman Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al-Attiyah, who crowned the winners of the day's feature races. Al Attiyah also presented trophies for the Qatar Cup – Prix Dragon (Group 1) for Purebred Arabians - a key prep for the Qatar Arabian World Cup - which was won by HM Alchahine, owned by Helal Alalawi. In addition, he awarded the prizes for the Qatar Prix Vermeille (Group 1) for Thoroughbred fillies, claimed by Aventure, representing the colours of Wertheimer & Frère.

QREC Chairman Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al-Attiyah (second left) crowned the winners of the Gr.1 Qatar Prix du Moulin de Longchamp. Pictures: Scoopdyga

The card featured nine races in total, including five group contests, all run under the banner of Qatar, with each race brimming with quality, excitement and fierce competition.

Sahlan, the fast-improving 3-year-old colt, delivered the best performance of his career when capturing the Gr.1 Qatar Prix du Moulin de Longchamp over 1600m. The prestigious race, open to 3-year-olds and older, assembled a high-class field of 12 runners.

Trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, ridden by Mickael Barzalona, and owned and bred by Al Shaqab Racing, the homebred colt came into the race full of confidence after his stylish victory in the Gr.3 Prix Daphnis – Samuel Liberman at Deauville. He has now confirmed himself at the very top level.

HM Alchahine, ridden by Cristian Demuro, won the Gr.1 Qatar Cup – Prix Dragon.

HM Alchahine wins Qatar Cup – Prix Dragon

HM Alchahine, (Al Mourtajez), a powerful 5-year-old colt, produced a sparkling performance to win the Gr.1 (PA) Qatar Cup – Prix Dragon. Hardly asked a question by his rider, he cantered home under a hands-and-heels ride to secure the second Group 1 success of his career.

Trained by Mme Jean-François Bernard, ridden by Cristian Demuro, and owned by Helal Alalawi, Hm Alchahine came into the race off a victory in the Gr.2 (PA) over 1600m at Hamburg-Horn, adding to his earlier Gr.2 and Gr.1 wins this season. This latest triumph confirmed his position among the very best of the Purebred Arabian division.

Byzantine Dream won the Gr.2 Qatar Prix Foy.

Byzantine Dream claims Qatar Prix Foy title

Japanese challenger Byzantine Dream (Epiphaneia) made his trip to Paris worthwhile with a gutsy victory in the Gr.2 Qatar Prix Foy at Longchamp, run over 2400m with a field of nine for 4yo and upwards.

Trained by Tomoyasu Sakaguchi, ridden by Oisin Murphy, and owned by Kazumi Yoshida, the four-year-old colt has already built a strong reputation over staying trips, most notably when landing the Gr.2 Longines Red Sea Turf Handicap in February in Riyadh, a race that carried a winner's prize of £1,200,000. Dropping back to 2400m here, he showed both class and determination to add another prestigious trophy to his record.

As expected, Mont St Michel (Galileo) set a strong pace in front, with his stablemate Los Angeles (Camelot) tracking closely behind. Byzantine Dream was settled in sixth on the inside, waiting patiently. Entering the final straight, the colt looked full of running but was searching for a gap.

Up ahead, Los Angeles battled with Sosie (Sea The Stars), but inside the last 250m Byzantine Dream finally saw daylight. Quickening sharply, he joined Sosie for a thrilling fight inside the final 100m. Brave and determined, the Japanese raider edged ahead near the post to win by half a length. Sosie had to settle for second, while Almaqam (Lope De Vega) finished strongly to take third.

QREC Chairman Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al-Attiyah with the connections of Aventure who won the Gr.1 Qatar Prix Vermeille.

Aventure clinches dominant Qatar Prix Vermeille triumph

Aventure, a progressive 4-year-old mare, stamped her class with a decisive success in the Gr.1 Qatar Prix Vermeille. The 2400m contest, a key prep race for the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, brought together six high-class fillies and mares.

Trained by Christophe Ferland, ridden by Maxime Guyon, and carrying the colours of her breeders Wertheimer & Frère, Aventure has been in sparkling form all season. Victorious in a Gr.3 over 2000m on her seasonal return, she followed up with a Gr.2 win over 2100m, before finishing second in a strong renewal of the Gr.1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.

With this Vermeille victory, she now heads confidently towards the Arc as one of France's leading hopes.

Cualificar secures Qatar Prix Niel in last stride

Cualificar, a 3-year-old colt with a sparkling season behind him, produced a decisive late surge to win the Gr.2 Qatar Prix Niel. The 2400m trialbrought together a field of eight colts, all aiming for a ticket to the Arc.

Trained by Andre Fabre, ridden by William Buick, and owned by Godolphin, Cualificar has been one of the standout performers of his generation this season.

Victorious in two Gr.3 contests over 1800m in the spring, he then ran a huge race to finish a close second in the Gr.1 Qatar Prix du Jockey Club, beaten only half a length. This win over 2400m confirms his place among the best middle-distance colts in Europe.

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