Equestrian: Qatar Prix Jean Prat huge success at Deauville

Paris, July 12 (QNA) - Qatar Prix Jean Prat was run at Deauville, France, on Sunday 12 July, as part of Qatar Racing & Equestrian Clubs (QREC) strategy to enhance Qatars presence at the worlds top racing events. The Qatar Jean Prat, is the first day of racing open to the public since March. A festive atmosphere, with the racing professionals and public delighted to be back on a racecourse, abounded throughout the day, accompanied by some top-class racing and true stars of the track. The event featured nine races, including the Gr1 Qatar Prix Jean Prat, the Gr3 Qatar Prix de Ris-Orangis, the Listed Qatar Prix Kistena, the Listed Qatar Prix Amandine and the Listed Qatar Prix De La Calonne Fonds European De Lelevage. Belonging to Sheail Bin Khalifa Al Kuwari, Saqr, opened the bumper card, keeping his perfect scorecard when winning the Qatar Prix des Yearlings. Trained by Fabrice Chappet in Chantilly, the 2-year-old colt came here off an impressive 2-length win first time out on his home track on the 19 June. He was ridden again by Vincent Cheminaud today, and once inside the final 400 meters, he took the lead. Never in danger, he stretched his legs and pulled clear to win again by 2 lengths in front of Central Park West (Martinborough), also a winner on his debut. Chappet commented after the race, "Hes a good colt. He won well on his debut, but it wasnt a strong race. Today, hes shown that hes improved. He had the race won from a long way out and wasnt touched with the stick. Well see him in the big 2-year-old races this summer." The two leading 2-year-old colts of 2019, Earthlight and Pinatubo, were both entered in Deauville, in the Qatar Prix Kistena (Listed) and the Qatar Prix Jean Prat (Gr.1), the feature race of the day, respectively. Earthlight was making his return to the track following a delayed start to the season due to injury and did not disappoint his fans, storming home to a 2-length victory under Mickael Barzalona in the Qatar Prix Kistena for trainer Andre Fabre. Pinatubo, not to be outdone, made short work of his opponents in the Qatar Prix Jean Prat, taking this coveted Group 1 prize back to Newmarket for trainer Charlie Appleby. Appleby came to Deauville with confidence, and with reason. He was also the winning trainer in the Qatar Prix Amandine, a Listed race for 3-year-old fillies, with Althiqa (Dark Angel), and also win the second Group race of the day, the Qatar Prix de Ris-Orangis (Gr.3) with Royal Crusade, all for the same connections! A successful raid for the British trainer on the Normandy coast. Another making a long-awaited comeback was Watch Me, by Al Shaqab Racing sire Olympic Glory. Last years Coronation Stakes (Gr.1) heroine, all eyes were on her in the Qatar Prix de la Calonne Fonds Europeen de lElevage, a Listed race for 4-year-old and + fillies and mares. She put any doubts to rest when showing an extraordinary turn of foot in the final furlong to win in an excellent time and by 2 lengths. She will next be seen in the Group 1 Prix Rothschild for trainer Francis Graffard. She is owned by her breeder, Antoinette Tamagni-Bodmer. (QNA)