Paris: In the presence of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani and H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of Qatar Olympic Committee, the first of QREC-sponsored Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend race days was held on Saturday, October 4, at the ParisLongchamp racecourse.
The meeting featured nine races, including three Group 1 and three Group 2 contests.
Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al Attiyah, QREC Chairman, presented the trophy of the Gr1 PA Qatar Arabian Trophy des Juments to H.E. Sheikh Hamad bin Joaan Al Thani, after a brilliant victory by Hajma (Al Mourtajez), proudly bred and raced by Al Shaqab Racing.
The triumph continued Qatar’s winning momentum, which began two days earlier at Saint-Cloud with Subahiyah, owned by Al Shaqab Racing, and Laffan, owned by Al Wasmiyah Racing, landing the two Gr1 Qatar Arabian trophies for three-year-old fillies and colts respectively, reaffirming Qatar’s global leadership in Purebred Arabian racing.
The winners of the other races were crowned by Rashid bin Nasser Sraiya Al Kaabi, QREC Vice Chairman, who presented the trophies to the winners of the Gr1Qatar Prix du Cadran. H.E. Mr Issa bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi presented the trophies to the winners of the Gr2 Qatar Prix Daniel Wildenstein.
Bader bin Mohammed Al Drawish, QREC Acting CEO,awarded the winners of the Gr2 Qatar Prix Chaudenay. Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi, QREC Racing Manager, presented the trophies to the winners of the Qatar Prix de la Place de la Concorde.
This year’s edition of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe features a prominent presence from Visit Qatar, which hosts a dedicated pavilion offering a wide range of promotional activities highlighting Qatar.
This participation aims to reinforce Qatar’s status as a premier family-tourism destination, renowned for its service excellence while fostering diverse and innovative economic growth. It also seeks to promote and develop tourism by showcasing the country’s rich culture, exciting destinations and luxury experiences.
Hajmah Triumphs in Gr.1 Qatar Arabian Trophy des Juments
Hajmah (Al Mourtajez), the talented four-year-old filly, added another top-level victory to her record by winning the Gr.1 (PA) Qatar Arabian Trophy des Juments – Pouliches 4 ans over 2000m at ParisLongchamp. The race was for 4-year-old Purebred Arabian fillies and featured a field of 15 runners.
Trained by Thomas Fourcy, ridden by Fabrice Veron, and bred and owned by Al Shaqab Racing, Hajmah continues to show her consistency at the highest level, following her previous Gr.1 (PA) Qatar Derby des Pur-Sang Arabes de 4 ans success against the colts. This also marked a double for trainer François Rohaut, who won the colts’ edition earlier on the card.
Soon in rear in three-wide position behind Hm Al Zalmaa (Al Mourtajez) in a race led by Intisar De Monlau (Al Mamun Monlau) at an even pace, Hajmah travelled nicely while positions remained unchanged. Entering the final straight, Soumillon, like yesterday at Saint-Cloud, beautifully anticipated the lift of the pace and guided Hajmah up on the outside to get close to the leaders.
With Intisar starting to tire, Hajmah took the lead alongside Chdia (Al Mourtajez), both going clear with Geneva (Azadi) and Lacaro Du Croate (No Risk Al Maury) a length behind but well clear of the rest. After a long battle in the final stages, Hajmah proved the strongest, winning by a short head over Chdia, while Geneva took third.
Winning trainer said after the race: “He almost had such a good race that he had to move her early, come through. It’s good that now she’s much more controlled, because before she could have accelerated for 200 meters and stopped. But when we have jockey like that, they know the power they have. She’s a true champion, she wins less easily than I would have thought. But now, I don’t care, the indisputable master, he’s always been my idol. I’m still proud to beat him today. No, no, it’s good for Al Shaqab, yesterday they were 1, 2, 3 in the fillies race, today they win. And as we say, Inch’Allah for tomorrow, for Al Ghadeer. But my job stops today, I have no share in tomorrow. That was the objective. I’m very proud for Al Shaqab, for this whole team that I’ve known for almost 13 years now.”
Tennessee Steps Up in Stamina to Land the Gr.2 Qatar Prix Chaudenay
In the day’s opener, Tennessee (Wootton Bassett), a high-class 3yo colt, proved his stamina in style when winning the Gr.2 Qatar Prix Chaudenay at ParisLongchamp, a race for three-year-olds over 3000m that attracted a select field of seven.
Already a Gr.1 winner as a juvenile when landing the Criterium de Saint-Cloud, Tennessee showed his class again this season with a fine third in the Epsom Derby and a strong fourth in the Gr.2 Qatar Prix Niel, an established Arc trial. This step up in trip was another test, but he answered every call.
Trained by Joseph Patrick O’Brien, owned by the powerful partnership of Westerberg, Derrick Smith, Michael Tabor, and Mrs. John Magnier, and ridden with confidence by stable jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle, Tennessee displayed courage and authority to secure his second career Group win.
Soon in second while Native Irish (New Bay) took a strong early lead, setting a furious pace and opening up a big gap on the rest of the field. Tennessee travelled comfortably in second, leading the main pack with Espoir Avenir (Montmartre) close on his outside.
Still clear, Native Irish maintained a large advantage down the back straight but was clearly doing too much, while the chasing group remained patient. As they descended the hill, the field began to close on the leader, who started to tire.
Approaching the false straight, Tennessee made smooth progress and took the lead, with Espoir Avenir still in pursuit and Emit (Too Darn Hot) beginning to chase the front pair. Once in the final straight, Tennessee quickened smartly, stretching a few lengths clear. Emit and Espoir Avenir battled for second before Emit found more inside the last 200m, rallying strongly to close the gap.
Tennessee, however, held on gamely to win by a neck, securing a 1-2 for trainer Joseph O’Brien, with Emit finishing second and Surabad (Bated Breath) well clear in third.
Winning jockey said after the race:
“He’s a big horse, he’s getting better with age, and stepping up to this trip for the first time, we were confident it would bring out more. He handles the conditions well. The ground is soft, but there’s a strong wind, so it’s going to dry out.”
Bred by Mrs. Ann Marie O’Brien, Tennessee is out of In My Dreams (Sadler’s Wells), making him a half-brother to Jumellea (Zoffany), a dual winner over 1600m and 2500m and third in Listed company at three, and to Dylan’s Verse (Dylan Thomas), a 2400m winner at four. In My Dreams is herself a half-sister to the legendary Rock Of Gibraltar (Danehill), a record-breaking seven-time consecutive Gr.1 winner over 1400m and 1600m at two and three, and to Nell Gwyn (Danehill), winner over 1600m at two and runner-up in Gr.3 company at three.
Caballo De Mar Stays Strong to Take the Gr.1 Qatar Prix du Cadran
Caballo De Mar (Phoenix Of Spain), a tough and progressive four-year-old gelding, produced a powerful staying performance to land the Gr.1 Qatar Prix du Cadran over 4000m.
The race, open to 4-year-olds and up, featured a small field of eight, including five supplemented runners. Coming just 13 days after his easy Gr.3 victory in the Deutsches St Leger, Caballo De Mar handled the step up in class and tripimpressively to secure his first Gr.1 success.
Trained by George Scott, ridden by Tom Marquand, and owned by Victorious Forever, the gelding continues to enhance his reputation as one of Europe’s most versatile stayers.
After a good break, Caballo De Mar tracked the favourite Coltrane (Mastercraftsman), sitting second on his outside while Sunway (Galiway) raced in third and Queenstown (Galileo) in fourth. The pace was steady but even throughout, with little change in positions for much of the race.
Turning for home, Caballo De Mar and Coltrane went head-to-head, pulling several lengths clear of the rest. Inside the final 200m, Caballo gained a narrow advantage and began to assert. In the final 50m, Coltrane started to weaken, leaving Caballo De Mar to stretch clear and win by one and a quarter lengths. Coltrane held second, while Queenstown stayed on for third.
Winning jockey said after the race: He’s an extraordinarily tough horse. It’s fantastic for George and Shaikh Nasser. He’s a strong stayer and George has made a good move but having him in the race, its brilliant
The rest of the races (3 Gr races) will be here in the next part
Final and big day
The Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Festival reaches its climax today, Sunday, October 5, in Paris. The final day at ParisLongchamp will feature nine thrilling races, including seven Group 1 events, making it a premier global racing fixture and a gathering of the world's elite horses. Undoubtedly, the spotlight will be on the two main events: the third race on the card, the Qatar Arabian World Cup, carrying €1 million in prize money, and the fourth, the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, offering €5 million in total prizes.
Racing begins at 2:40 PM Qatar time. Both Al Kass Sports Channel and BeIN Sports will provide live coverage of the races. The first race is the Gr1 Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac for 2-year-old fillies over 1600m, featuring nine fillies, including Aylin representing Al Shaqab Racing and Amo Racing. The programme continues with the Gr1 Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère, a 1400m contest for 2-year-old colts, also featuring nine runners. Next up is the Prix De l'Abbaye de Longchamp Longines over 1000m for 2-year-olds and up, with 19 horses in the field, including Night Raider, owned by Wathnan Racing, and Afjan, representing Al Shaqab Racing.
The fourth race is the highly anticipated Gr1 Qatar Arabian World Cup, part of the Doha Triple Crown, featuring 12 horses aged 4 and up over 2000m. Among the contenders is Al Shaqab Racing’s Al Ghadeer, aiming for a historic third consecutive win in this race and the Triple Crown. However, he will facea number of other top-class horses also vying for the global title, including Wathnan Racing’s RB Mary Lylah, Al Shaqab Racing’s duo of AL Zwairand Luwsail, Abdulla bin Fahad Al Attiyah’s Ch'ezza Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari’sMoshrif and Mansour bin Khalil Al Shahwani’s Nabucco Al Maury.
The spotlight then shifts tothe Gr1 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, the 2400m showpiece for three-year-olds and upwards, which has drawn a field of 18.
The market is headed by three leading contenders: Minnie Hauk, Aventure and Kalpana. Minnie Hauk, trained by Aidan O’Brien and the mount of Christophe Soumillon, has made six career starts, finishing runner-up on debut before reeling off five straight victories, the last three at Group 1 level. Aventure, from the yard of Christophe Ferland and partnered by Maxime Guyon, brings a strong résumé of victories and high placings in Group company, most recently landing the Gr1 Qatar Prix Vermeille. Kalpana, trained by Andrew Balding with Colin Keane in the saddle, is another model of consistency, with wins and podium finishes across Group races, and has yet to finish outside the first three in twelve career appearances.
The programme also features the Gr1 Qatar Prix de l’Opéra for fillies and mares aged three and older over 2000m, with 12 declared, among them One Look carrying the Wathnan Racing colours. Over 1400m, the Gr1 Qatar Prix de la Forêt has drawn a field of 16, including exxtra, also representing Wathnan Racing.
Eighteen 3-year-old and older runners line up for the competitive Qatar Grand Handicap des Flyersover 1400m. The curtain comes down with the Qatar Prix de la Place de l'Etoileover 2000m, which has attracted 17 contenders.
The Qatar Prix La Forêt Group 1 for Thoroughbreds aged 3 and above over 1400m has 16 runners, including "Extra" owned by Wathnan Racing.
The Qatar Grand Handicap Group 1 for Thoroughbreds aged 3 and above over 1400m features 18 horses.
The final race is the QATAR PRIX DE LA PLACE DE L'ETOILEaged 3 and above over 2000m, with 17 runners.
