HE Sheikha Reem bint Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani’s Ebraz bagged the big Arabian prize, Qatar Cup-Prix Dragon (Group 1 PA) on the Qatar Arc Trials day at ParisLongchamp on Sunday.
Qatar’s ambassador to France, Sheikh Ali bin Jassim al-Thani, presented the trophies to the winners of the feature races at the Qatar-sponsored race meeting.
Besides Qatar Cup-Prix Dragon and the other feature of the day, Qatar Prix Vermeille (Group 1) are the final rehearsal for the Qatar Arabian World Cup (Group 1 PA) and the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Group 1), to be run at the same course in three weeks
Ali Saeed’s Teona emerged winner in the thoroughbred feature, Qatar Prix Vermeille.
In the Qatar Cup (Group 1 PA), the legendary purebred Arabian Ebraz secured his eighth Group 1 career success.
Trained by Julian Smart, Ebraz has been in excellent form this summer having won a Group 2 at La Teste De Buch in July before finishing second in a Group 1 at Goodwood in August. The eight-year-old showed his trademark tenacity in the closing stages of the 2,000m and was once again given a strong ride by his regular jockey Maxime Guyon.
Ebraz applied his normal tactics and was held up towards the rear of the field through the opening stages of the race. His stablemate, Maxr, cut out the early running and was quickly clear of the field. On the turn for home, Maxr began to struggle and was quickly closed down by the field 400m from the line. Artemis took the lead inside the final 400m and began to slip the field. Having made steady headway from the back of the field, Ebraz endured some interference 200m from home and still had four lengths to find on Artemis. Switched toward the inside, Ebraz showed an incredible turn of foot and rapidly closed down Artemis inside the final 100m. Ebraz gamely got to the lead in the final strides and won by a head from Artemis. Nalink was always prominent and finished three lengths back in third.
“He is exceptional; he has such a huge turn of foot. He is simply better than the others but when he gets to the front he doesn’t do too much,” Guyon said after the win. “I guess that shows that he has plenty left in reserve. He will be in great form for the Qatar Arabian World Cup back here in three weeks’ time. That will be harder, and we will have to see how he gets on.”
Bred by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani, Ebraz is by legendary Arabian stallion Amer. His dam Massamarie was a three-time winner and has been fundamental as a broodmare, with many Group 1 winners to her credit.
TEONA SPRINGS SURPRISE
Ridden by Olivier Peslier, it was Teona’s only second Group 1 start, but she saw off her six rivals in sensational style when winning the Qatar Prix Vermeille.
Teona sat in behind early leader La Joconde and settled well against the rails. Always travelling strongly, Teona built was placed five lengths ahead of Snowfall. Joined at halfway by Joan Of Arc, Teona took closer order to La Joconde as the field headed inside the final 600m. Despite some brief interference on entering the home straight, Teona was angled out wide of La Joconde by Peslier and stole first run on the majority of her rivals. With a few lengths advantage over the field at the 400m marker, Teona looked difficult to beat and galloped strongly to the finish. Snowfall made ground down the outside inside the final 200m but was held by Teona, who went on to score by a length at the line. Favourite Snowfall finished second, while the game La Joconde held on well for third.
FINAL STRIDE LUNGE FOR BUBBLE GIFT
One of three trials for the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on the card, the Group 2 Qatar Prix Niel was won by the Zak Bloodstock-owned Bubble Gift.
Mikel Delzangles-trained Bubble Gift, ridden by Gerald Mosse, was held up last of five through the early stages of the 2,400m contest. Locked in battle inside the final 100m, Media Stream and Bubble Gift passed the post together and a photo was required to split the pair. Bubble Gift was announced the winner by a nose.
Shinji Maeda’s Deep Bond, saddled by Ryuji Okubu, won the Group 2 Qatar Prix Foy gamely yesterday.
Inside the final 200m, it was clear that Cristian Demuro-ridden Deep Bond had done enough to score and went on to win by a length and a half from Broome.
The familiar green and yellow silks of owner Antoine Gilbert were carried to success by Berneuil, who showed an electric turn of foot to win the Group Three Qatar Prix Du Petit Couvert at ParisLongchamp.
Trained by Carlos and Yann Lerner, the speedy four-year-old landed a well-deserved win at Group level under Christophe Soumillion. Berneuil scored by three-and-a-half lengths from Collinsbay, while Wild Majesty took third.
One of the most progressive horses of the season, Sagamiyra carried the colours The Aga Khan to success in the Group 3 Qatar Prix Du Pin. The Delzangles-trained four-year-old secured a first group success under a confident Soumillion.
Axdavali finished second by a length, while Speak Of The Devil flew home to take third.
Maxime Guyon (left) rides Ebraz to Qatar Cup-Prix Dragon (Group 1 PA) victory at ParisLongchamp.
Olivier Peslier rides Teona to Qatar Prix Vermeille (Group 1) victory at ParisLongchamp on Sunday.
