Al Ghadeer Keeps Qatar Arabian World Cup for Al Shaqab Racing

Paris, October 06 (QNA) - Al Shaqab Racing's "Al Ghadeer" retained the title of the Qatar Arabian World Cup (Group 1), which was held Sunday evening at the ParisLongchamp Racecourse, concluding the 2024 edition of the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, which was held under Qatari sponsorship through the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club and under the agreement signed with France Galop (the body responsible for organizing horse racing in France).
HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al-Thani presented the trophy of the Gr1 PA Qatar Arabian World Cup to HE President of the Qatar Olympic Committee Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani.
Al Ghadeer won the title for the second consecutive year under the supervision of trainer Francois Rohaut and led by jockey Christophe Soumillon, confirming that Al Ghadeer is determined to retain the Doha Triple Crown in its final leg in Doha.
HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al-Thani also presented the trophy of the Gr1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe to Prince Saud bin Khalid bin Abdullah. The Juddmonte Farms Ltd-bred and owned Bluestocking (Camelot) won the iconic race in impressive style for trainer Ralph Beckett under a perfect ride from Rossa Ryan. The champion filly continues her victories with a 2nd straight Gr1 victory. HE Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al-Thani, Ambassador of Qatar to France, and HRH Prince Albert II of Monaco were present during the trophy presentation ceremony.
The last day included 7 races for first-class horses, in addition to organizing heritage and cultural shows through the cooperation of the Ministry of Culture with the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club to introduce tens of thousands of European fans attending the race to Qatari customs, the most famous crafts and handicrafts, as well as the authentic Qatari heritage. The Ministry of Culture's pavilion was met with great interest from the public.
Al Ghadeer gave a wonderful performance, and in second place came "Rb King Maker," owned by Helal Al Alawi, supervised by trainer Elizabeth Bernard and ridden by jockey Cristian Demuro. In third place came "Ch'Ezza," owned by Abdullah bin Fahd Al Attiyah, supervised by the winning trainer Francois Rohaut and ridden by jockey Maxime Guyon.
The filly Bloodstock won the Qatar Prix Vermeille Group 1 and then made history by winning the world's most famous and best race, the Gr.1 QREC, the four-year-old champion filly owned and bred by Juddmonte, and with this win, she gave her trainer Ralph Beckett and her young jockey Rossa Ryan their first win in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. In second place came "Aventure," owned by Wertheimer and Frere, trained by Christophe Ferland and ridden by jockey Stephane Pasquier. In third place, with an additional length and a half, came "Los Angeles," owned by Westerberg, Magnier, Tabor, and Smith, trained by Aidan O'Brien and ridden by jockey Ryan Moore.
An improving filly, Vertical Blue (Mehmas) claimed her first Gr.1 victory when landing the QREC sponsored Gr.1 Prix Marcel Boussac - Criterium des Pouliches.
Owned by Gemini Stud and Argella Racing and trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, the two-year-old filly had a place chance from the trainer’s words but improved dramatically to win and beat the hot favorite and stable mate Zarigana (Siyouni).
In a race led by Exactly (Frankel), Vertical Blue was about midfield on the inside of the strongly fancied Zarigana. Entering the home straight, the leader kicked clear and left her rivals with a lot to do. With Zarigana chasing the clear leader, Vertical blue always looked held by Zarigana but managed to put her nose on the line to beat Zarigana by a nose. Exactly was third.
Sporting the colors of Brightwalton Bloodstock Ltd, Makarova (Acclamation) continued to improve when winning the Gr.1 Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp Longines.
Trained by Ed Walker and ridden by Tom Marquand, the improving mare was a Gr.3 winner earlier this year and is now a Gr.1 winner.
Behind the leaders, Makarova always looked in a good position traveling nicely. When jockey asked for effort, the fantastic mare responded really well to challenge the hot favourite Bradsell (Tasleet) to beat him by one and a quarter length. Believing (Mehmas) was a close third.
It was the British-trained three-year-old Friendly Soul (Kingman) who took the Gr.1 Prix De l'Opera Longines at ParisLongchamp.
Sporting the silks of George Strawbridge, Friendly Soul has now won five races from six life starts and gave a 1-2 in this race for trainer John & Thady Gosden.
Ridden by stable jockey Kieran Shoemark, the homebred filly tracked the leader Almara (Almanzor), who set a strong pace, in second. Challenging for the lead inside the final 400m, the superb filly found more close home to win and beat stable mate Running Lion (Roaring Lion) by three-quarter of a length. Sparking Plenty (Kingman) ran on well in third.
The Gr.1 Prix de la Foret sponsored by QREC - presented by Education Above All Foundation, saw the Christopher Head-trained, Ramatuelle (Justify) got back to winning ways after showing a huge model of consistency at the highest level.
With the curtain falling on the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe weekend, the Qatari sponsorship of this event, through the existing partnership between QREC and France Galop, has achieved many gains and demonstrated the optimal investment of this sponsorship since its inception in 2008 and as it will continue until 2027.
This successful partnership has resulted in confirming the role of the Qatar in supporting and promoting Arabian racing in Europe and interest in holding them alongside Thoroughbred racing, which has become tangible in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe weekend every year, with prestigious Arabian races held at Saint-Cloud and ParisLongchamp during the weekend. The Qatar Arabian World Cup race has been receiving increasing interest, especially as it is held directly before the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe race. (QNA)