Al Shaqab Racing’s Katara storms to win at Pontefract.
In the colours of Al Shaqab Racing, the classy 4-year-old filly Katara (FR) (Deep Impact x Asyad) scored a new Listed win in the Pontefract Castle Fillies’ Stakes at Pontefract Racecourse, UK, adding a new Qatari victory at European racecourse less than two hours after the victory of H E Sheikha Reem Bint Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani’s Hoggar De L’ardus in the QREC-sponsored Gr1 P/A Qatar Derby for 4YO Purebred Arabians at Chantilly, France.
Ridden by Ryan Moore in the 2,400-metre race for 4-year-olds and older fillies and mares at Pontefract on Sunday, Katara broke behind the field to sit in last place. They began racing in the final bend and Moore kept her in on the rail waiting patiently for the opening. She came progressively through to join the leaders with 200 metres left to run and battled with the Hugo Palmer-schooled and James Doyle-helmed Golden Pass (GB) (Golden Horn x Lovely Pass) in the closing stages, winning the Class 1 contest by a head.
The Hughie Morrison trained and Tom Marquandridden Urban Artist (GB) (Cityscape x Cill Rialaig) finished third with a further two and a half-length margin.
