Laffan and Subahiyah claim Qatar Arabian Trophies for Colts and Fillies

Paris: H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of Qatar Olympic Committee, received the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Pouliches in presence of Guillaume de Saint-Seine, President of France Galop, and Khalifa bin Mohammed Al Attiyah, QREC Board Member, following the victory of Al Shaqab Racing’s homebred Subahiyah in Group 1 race of three-year-old Purebred Arabian fillies.

The QREC-sponsored Gr1 PA contest was claimed in style by chestnut filly, who was guided to glory by Christophe Soumillon for trainer François Rohaut. The Trophy’s race was run at St. Cloud on Friday, 3 October as part of the races associated with the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend.

Qatari victories continued on the day with Al Wasmiyah Racing’s homebred star Laffan winning the Gr1 PA Qatar Arabian Trophy des Poulains. Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al Attiyah, QREC Chairman, presented the owner trophy to Ali bin Hamad Al Attiyah, Abdulla bin Hamad Al Attiyah and Mohammed bin Hamad Al Attiyah and crowned the winning trainer François Rohaut and the winning jockey Christophe Soumillon.

With these victories, Laffan kept his flawless record intact and remained unbeaten, making it four wins from four starts, including three Group victories and now a second Group 1 title. A true champion, proving once again that class and courage run deep in his veins. Subahiyah also confirmed that she is a rising star and announced herself as a champion-in-the-making, scoring a Gr1 victory at just her third career start

Laffan remains unbeaten

Laffan (Af Al Buraq) stretched his unbeaten record to four from as many starts with a determined performance in the Gr.1 (PA) Qatar Arabian Trophy des Poulains over 2000m. Trained by François Rohaut, ridden by Maxime Guyon, and proudly carrying the silks of his owner-breeders Al Wasmiyah Racing, the three-year-old Purebred Arabian colt once again underlined his class, toughness, and growing reputation as the standout of his generation.

After winning the Gr.1 (PA) Al Rayyan Cup – Prix Kesberoy at Deauville in August, Laffan confirmed his superiority at the highest level, this time facing a deeper nine-runner field on Saint-Cloud’s historic turf.

After a good start, Laffan gradually progressed on the outside to take the lead, and once in front, he set a steady tempo, just as he had done last time. Alrakkad (Gazwan) tracked in second, while the favourite Romeo AT (Af Al Buraq) once again raced too keenly in the slow pace. With positions largely unchanged through the back straight, Laffan travelled happily in front despite Alrakkad trying to apply pressure as they rounded the final bend. In the straight, Guyon began to gently urge his mount forward, and Laffan responded by quickening clear by a few lengths, seemingly putting the race to bed.

However, inside the final 200 metres, Romeo AT launched his run from off the pace and began closing rapidly on the leader. With 100 metres to go, Laffan’s advantage had diminished to just half a length, but the unbeaten colt showed tremendous grit, holding on in a tense photo finish to repel Romeo AT by the narrowest of noses. Sab’aan Al Shahania (A Mere Bagatelle) finished a clear third.

Winning trainer said after the race:

“We didn’t go 1, 2, 3, 4, haha. No, no, it’s fine, the horses ran well, they had all worked well, and the jockeys were well briefed, they rode good races, it was all quite straightforward. Some are horses for the future, others are already very mature, like him. No, we ran well, I’m delighted. Retirement isn’t coming just yet. It’s good, it’s good, he deserves to win. He’s been the leader of his generation all season, and he still is today, that’s great. They are real racehorses. Yes, exactly, he has a magnificent physique, he’s a beautiful horse, he’s perfect, he’s sound. No, no, these are horses for the future, they’re future stallions, so it was important to win today.”

Subahiyah dominates

Subahiyah (Mahabb x Majida) confirmed her class with a brilliant victory in the Gr.1 (PA) Qatar Arabian Trophy des Pouliches. The race was over 2000m for three-year-old Purebred Arabian fillies and featured a field of fifteen runners.

The three-year-old filly is trained by François Rohaut for owner and breeder Al Shaqab Racing and was ridden by Christophe Soumillon. She had previously finished third in the Gr.1 (PA) Al Rayyan Cup – Prix Kesberoy against the colts in August and now claims her first Group 1 win. The success also gave Rohaut a double on the card, after winning the colts edition earlier the same day.

Subahiyah soon settled at the rear because of her wide draw, running behind Al Fareeq (Nieshan) three wide in a race led by Motacilla (Mister Ginoux). As the three-wide group moved down the back straight, she gradually advanced into midfield while Sa’Ba (Ajs Thrb) tried to pressure the leader. The pace remained slow, and Christophe Soumillon kept her relaxed, anticipating the start of the pace lift. Under a masterful ride, he timed the move perfectly and positioned Subahiyah alongside the leaders as they entered the final straight. Still not fully asked for effort inside the last 400m, she was much in control and soon took the lead, despite hanging slightly to her left. Inside the final 200m she quickened smartly to open a clear advantage and won by one and a quarter lengths. The victory gave Al Shaqab Racing a 1-2-3, with Amjaad (Azadi) second and El Bnoud (Azadi) third.

Winning jockey said after the race:

"She’s a super filly. After her race at Deauville, we were a little disappointed that she didn’t really finish her race. Because she had pulled a lot, François and I had decided to put a hood on her to make her really calmer during the race. And that’s what she showed today. She settled from the very start of the race. We weren’t very fast, that’s why I anticipated a bit the start at the exit from the turn. But she has such a beautiful action and quality, because in the line of the males’ race, we finished next to the two the other day. So we saw her as a top contender, and she was well contained today."

Focus Shifts to ParisLongchamp

Racing action will move tomorrow to the historic ParisLongchamp Racecourse, which will host a number of contests over the next two days. The focus, as always, will be on the Qatar Arabian World Cup (G1 PA) and the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1), both scheduled for Sunday. Tomorrow, the card features nine races, including three Group 1 contests and three Group 2 contests, with a field of top-class horses, including several owned by Qatari connections.

Racing begins at 2:23 pm Qatar time, with live coverage on Al Kass TV and BeIN Sports. The opening race will be the Qatar Prix Chaudenay (G2) for 3-year-olds over 3,000m, featuring seven runners. It will be followed by the Qatar Prix du Cadran (G1) for 4-year-olds and up over 4,000m, contested by eight horses, including Alsakib, owned by Al Wasmiyah Stud.

The third race is another major event for Arabians: the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Juments (G1) for 4-year-old Purebred Arabian fillies over 2,000m, featuring 13 top-class fillies. The line-up includes a strong Qatari presence: Texas Pearl, owned by H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chdia and Intisar De Monlau, carrying the colours of Wathnan Racing, Hajmah, owned by Al Shaqab Racing, Al Muthqafah, owned by Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari, Geneva, owned by Abdullah bin Fahad Al Attiyah, Bianca De Ghazal, owned by Nasser bin Abdullah Al Musnad, HM Al Zalmaa - last year’s winner of the G1 Qatar Arabian Trophy des Pouliches - owned by Abdulghani Al Abdulghani and Lacaro Du Croate owned by Mansour bin Khalil Al Shahwani. Other entries include Almurjanah, owned by the Royal Cavalry of Oman, Shumma and Wala'a, carrying the colours of Yas Horse Racing Management and Zaram, owned by Ivan Dimitrov. Many of these fillies are proven Group 1 winners, promising a highly competitive contest.

Other group races on the card include the Qatar Prix Daniel Wildenstein (G2) for 3-year-olds and up over 1,600m with ten runners, the Qatar Prix De Royallieu (G1) for 3 years and older fillies and mares over 2,800m with twelve runners, and the Qatar Prix Dollar (G2) for 3-year-olds and up over 1,950m, featuring nine horses, including First Look and          Damysus, both carrying the colours of Wathnan Racing.