BY RIZWAN REHMAT
DOHA: Galloping with unbeatable pace close to the winning post, Al Shaqab Racing’s Al Mourtazez yesterday left all six of his rivals in the shade to win Qatar’s richest Arabian horse race, the H H The Emir’s Sword, with a commanding run.
Ridden by veteran French jockey Julien Auge and trained by Thomas Fourcy, Al Mourtazez won the 2,400m marathon nearly two lengths ahead of Julian Smart-trained Djainka Des Forges and his stable-mate Al Majh’Hoor at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) here. The win was worth a whopping QR1.8m.
Minutes earlier, Dubday produced one of the best runs of the season as Italian racing legend Frankie Dettori repeated his last year’s show on the famed Al Shaqab Racing entry to win the H H The Emir Trophy as H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani watched from the stands.
However, the day belonged to Al Mourtazez who clocked a time of 2:39:47. Al Mourtazez, who had hurt his back after easily winning the Group 1 Doha Cup last August and returned to win a Group 3 event at Toulouse in late-October, had a tough trip from France.
Auge, who rode Mister Ginoux to victory in the Qatar International Trophy on Wednesday, was lost for words.
“That was incredible,” Auge said. “It’s the best horse in the world, I think. He went in the front when I wanted him to. It was very hard,” Auge said.
“I am very happy I rode this race for Al Shaqab Racing and H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani. I am very happy I won two Group 1 races for Sheikh Joaan,” Auge said recalling his win on Wednesday.
“I know the team wanted to win. He came home well. Unbelievable,” he added.
Al Shaqab’s representative Harry Herbert said: “What a double. This is a special moment for Sheikh Joaan. Not only is he here but these are the two races above all that he wanted to win in Qatar.”
Djainka Des Forges, ridden by Richard Mullen, finished one-and-a-half length behind Al Mourtazez while Al Majh’Hoor — who had B Doyle in the saddle — ended the race in third spot.
Dettori, who won the H H The Emir Trophy earlier, finished in fourth spot on Farh.
However, there was delight for Dettori who provided Al Shaqab Racing with the day’s first major win in the H H The Emir Trophy.
Despite getting into an impossible position close to the winning post, Dettori guided Dubday home with an amazing burst of energy to seal his second successive win that was worth QR1.4m.
Winner of more than 200 Group 1 races around the world, Dettori produced his trademark leap off the mount and said he was thrilled with the outcome.
“We could see potentially it was going to be dangerous contest,” Dettori said. “To win like that, from a wide draw. Wonderful run! The dream continues,” he added.
Trainer Jassim Al Ghazali was just as pleased.
“Thank God for putting me in this joyous position. I want to give congratulations to Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani on this superb win,” Al Gahzali said. “It is a big day for racing and big day for me. I am delighted with this win.
“Dubday is a fantastic horse. He runs really well in big races. He has won so many races. He has made so many people happy,” Al Ghazali said.
“For me everything was on the line. It wasn’t a normal day for me. He’s a champion horse. Everyone tried to better him but they couldn’t,” the Qatari added.
Earlier, Al Ghazali savoured another major win when famed British jockey Bentley brought Al Murabitoon home in the H H The Emir’s Silver Sword race, winning the contest ahead of Ain Jalout and Bahia Du Barthas.
Bentley’s win — worth QR 570,000 — was clocked in a time of 2:30:48.
In race four, experienced jockey Gerald Avranche guided Crescent to win in the H H The Shafala Trophy. Crescent finished the 1,850m race ahead of Al Ghazali-trained Itorioa — ridden by Stephan Ladjadj — and Lieutenant Kaffee — who had Olivier Peslier in the saddle. The win was worth QR 570,000 to owner Mohammed Kazim Al Ansari and Sons.
Peslier, in race four, delighted owners Umm Qarn after guiding Majeed to win in the H H The Emir’s Trophy ahead of Masnoon — ridden by Bentley — and Ghizwan — who was handled by Mullen.
Majeed finished the 2400m race with a time of 2:51:57 as Umm Qarn won the top prize of QR456,000. In the day’s first three races, Bentley was unstoppable as he posted three wins.
In race three, Bentley guided Al Hareth to win in the H H The Emir’s Silver Shalfa Trophy while in race two, the 22-year-old British jockey was in the mount when Botanica beat a field of nine entries.
In race one, Bentley was in the saddle when Rock Up topped the 11-horse field. All three horses were trained by Al Ghazali, who completed his 100th win of the season on Tuesday.
THE PENINSULA
