Qatari horses seek to win the biggest titles in major Parisian confrontations
Strong and intense competition between the best male and female fillies
Arkana Auction records high demand for purebred Arabian horses
Today, the first day of the activities of the historic Qatar Prix Arc de Triomphe begins on the Saint-Cloud grass track, and the scene is preceded by two rounds of the first category for purebred Arabian horses aged 3 years, sponsored by the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club, which has been running for nearly two decades.
The two major races will be held for a distance of 2000 metres, which represents a test that cannot be described as easy or easy. They are the Qatar Award race for purebred Arabian fillies in the first category and the Qatar Award race for male purebred Arabian fillies in the first category, through which the most prominent horses of this age group in Europe are determined. Attention turns first to the filly race at 3:18 pm (Doha time), followed by the filly race at 4:28 pm. (Doha time), and both halves will be broadcast live on Al Cup Sports channels, with immediate coverage via the official platforms of the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club on social media.
The date for these two halves will be renewed today after the historic 2025 edition, which witnessed the dominance of Qatari owners and producers in winning the two titles. The colt “Laffan” (AF Al-Buraq), owned by Al-Wasmiya Racing and under the supervision of coach François Roux and under the very distinguished leadership of the great Maxime Guillon, won the colt “Sabahiya” (Mahab) owned by Al-Shaqab Racing and won the filly award with his wonderful leadership. From the imagination, Christophe Soumillon, in an impressive victory for Al Shaqab Racing, who achieved a historic hat-trick by achieving the first three places through “Amjad” (Azadi), which took second place, and “Al-Banoud” (Azadi), which came in third place.
A high-level confrontation between the best skills
The Qatar Award for purebred Arabian foals, 3 years old, from the first category, will be attended by 9 distinguished foals, and it is expected to be full of strong competition in view of the promising names of the most skilled participants.
Trainer Thomas Forsey presents a strong trio in this confrontation. They are the colt “Mesaieed” (Azadi), which leads the competitors under the Al Shaqab Racing logo and led by the horse Jean-Bernard Ekim. Forsey also supervises the colt “Zahim” (Al-Maamoun Monlo), owned by His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani, and led by the horse by Joritz Mendizabal. The trio is completed by the colt “Madison Boy” (Dahur de Brugier), king of Arra du Grand Corgon. And the imagination is led by Alexei Buchan.
The strongest fillies compete for the prize
Thirteen fillies are participating in the Qatar Award for purebred Arabian fillies, 3 years old, from the first category, each of whom will certainly strive to win the title and the award.
Coach “Nila Al-Mouri” (AF Al-Bahr), led by the horse Guillaume Gedgue Gué, and the filly “Sea Shek Al-Mouri” (Manarek), led by the horse-riding Mikael Barzalona, both of whom are owned by Ronnet-Lor Coche, and the filly “Narbonne” (AF Al-Bahr), owned by Yas Racing Management and led by the popular Marvin Grondin.
Trainer Thomas Forsey supervises two distinguished fillies: the filly “Tsawaham” (Al-Maamoun Monlo), owned by Khalifa bin Shuail Al-Kuwari and led by Al-Khayal Alexis Buchan, and the filly “Al-Samsama” (AF Al-Bahr), owned by Al-Shaqab Racing and led by Al-Khayal Jean-Bernard Ekim.
While trainer François Roux includes the filly “Munira” (Al-Muwafaq), king of Al Shaqab Racing and led by Al-Khayal Faleh Bughnaim, and the filly “Al-Maha” (Al-Murtajaz), king of Sahab Staples Slough and led by Al-Khayal Stephane Pasquier.
Trainer Elizabeth Bernard is also present with two fillies: the filly “Lella de Lagloire” (Al-Murtajaz), owned by Mohammed Al-Hazami and led by Khayal Mikael Forrest, and the filly “Nitra Du Faust” (AF Al-Bahr), owned by Yas Racing Management and led by Khayal Christian Demuro.
The list is completed with trainer David Morrison, who supervises the filly “SS Laura” (AF Al Bahr), owned by Ahmed Saeed and led by Al Khayal Aurelien Lemaitre.
The Arcana Auction sets the mood
Horse show, buying and selling took the lead at the Saint-Cloud Racecourse yesterday with the holding of this year’s edition of the Arcana Auction for purebred Arabian horses, which witnessed a distinguished international presence alongside the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club delegation. With it being held directly 3 days before the major races that are held at the Saint-Cloud Racecourse for two days and then moving to the Paris-Loncho Racecourse for two days, it provides a strong start to the big race.
The auction catalog included 89 heads, divided between 56 two-year-olds, 6 one-year-olds, 16 racing horses (including 5 entries via Wild Card), and 11 production horses. The interest and demand for purchase and acquisition was present and strong during the auction, which led to achieving an excellent sale rate across all categories and adding a positive character to the movement of horse transactions.