Qatari Horses Continue to Dominate in International Races

Paris, January 20 (QNA) - The opening race of the day at the French seaside racetrack of Cagnes-sur-Mer was won by Yardan in the colors of HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al-Thani. The Prix de Fabron, a newcomers race over 1,500 meters on the all-weather, reunited 9 colts and geldings. The 3-year-old colt Yardan, ridden by French Champion jockey Pierre-Charles Boudot, was sharply away before settling in 5th position with plenty of cover. In the final turn, the pacesetter Grace Bay held his lead with Yardan coming to the rail. Once in the straight, the Henri-Pantall trained colt looked to be blocked in behind the leaders with plenty of running and nowhere to go. The leader came under pressure from all sides and, moving slightly off the rail, left the opportunity for a decisive move from Boudot to take Yardan up a small gap that briefly opened up on the rail. Yardan, showing a professional attitude on his first start in competition, quickly took the lead from Grace Bay, who fought back bravely. They ran neck and neck to the line, but Yardan proved the stronger, holding on to his lead to win by a nose. (QNA)