Al Ghadeer and Christophe Soumillon winners of the 2024 Qatar International Stakes (Gr1PA) at the Qatar Goodwood Festival ©Debbie Burt – Equine Creative Media
Wednesday 31 July 2024 –
The world’s top-rated Arabian, Al Ghadeer has confirmed once again his champion status with a second win in the Qatar International Stakes at the Qatar Goodwood Festival breaking the record set by his sire Al Mourtajez in 2016. Christophe Soumillon produced a cool ride on the five-year-old’s European return, settling him in mid-division before smoothly taking the lead over a furlong out for an unchallenged win from Al Wakrah, owned, like the winner, by Al Shaqab Racing. They drew well clear of the remainder, with Mohammed bin Fahad Al-Attiyah’s Ska De L’Aigle keeping on for third place from the four-year-olds Afjan and Al Zeer.
This win in the £400,000 one mile contest, the UK’s most valuable Group 1PA race for Arabians, is the first stage in Doha’s Triple Crown series. The next stage is the Qatar Arabian World Cup run on Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe day at ParisLongchamp and culminates in the world’s richest Arabian race, the HH The Amir Sword in Doha in February.
Trained by Francois Rohaut, like Ska De L’Aigle, Afjan and Al Zeer, this the trainer’s third success in the event, which he first won in 2017 with Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum’s Muraaqib. Al Ghadeer now joins an elite band of dual winners of the Qatar International Stakes in Ebraz and Lady Princess. Having equalled Ebraz’s inaugural Triple Crown win this February, he now looks firmly set on the road to becoming the first horse to win a second Doha Triple Crown.
Al Ghadeer and Christophe Soumillon win the Qatar International Stakes (Gr1PA) in a record time of 1.42.85
Quotes:
Christophe Soumillon, jockey 1st: “I’m so happy to be able to ride such a good horse, it was a great opportunity for me to find him two years ago and since then we are a good fit together and I’m very proud of that. He is the best of the best.”
Francois Rohaut, trainer 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, : “We know he’s the best horse in the world, he just needed to have a good race to win. He’ll go straight to Paris for the Qatar Arabian World Cup of course and then we’ll see, it’s a long way between Longchamp and Doha [for the HH The Amir Sword] Sheikh Joaan is happy to run in Abu Dhabi, so we’ll try to go in December.
“Ska De L’Aigle is fantastic, he is always gives his best, I was disappointed by the four year olds, but we knew last year that it wasn’t a strong crop, they can’t fight against the older horses.”
Jean de Mieulle, trainer, 2nd: “ I’m super happy with Al Wakrah. She was not fast enough today, as she was a bit more excitable beforehand, but she got cover and she finished her race brilliantly. She’s twice been second in a Group 1PA now, hopefully she will get her own one day.”
Francois Rohaut, Christophe Soumillon, Al Ghadeer and HH Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani winners of the 2024 Qatar International Stakes (Gr1PA) at the Qatar Goodwood Festival ©Debbie Burt – Equine Creative Media
The trophies were presented by HH Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and Qatar Ambassador to the UK, HE Sheikh Abdulla Bin Mohammed Bin Saoud Al Thani to HH Sheikh Hamad bin Joaan bin Khalifa Al Thani, Rohaut and Soumillon.
Later it was announced that Goodwood Racecourse have renewed their multi-year partnership with Qatar that will commence in 2025. The existing sponsorship with Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club which began in 2015, remains the biggest single sponsorship deal in British Horseracing and has enabled the Qatar Goodwood Festival to become one of the most prestigious meetings in the world. It also marks a transition from the Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club to Visit Qatar as the main sponsor of the meeting, which includes the feature race on each day of the world-famous five-day festival. It also preserves the legacy of the Qatar International Stakes (Group 1PA) which is also the most valuable race for Arabians over a mile in Europe.
HE Mr Saad bin Ali Al Kharji, Chair of Board of Directors of Visit Qatar, said: “Building on the legacy of the Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club, we are pleased to announce the renewal of a multi-year partnership with Goodwood Racecourse. This milestone reflects our dedication to continue showcasing Qatar’s vibrant culture and distinctive offerings to a global audience. We look forward to the opportunities this partnership will bring, further solidifying Qatar’s positioning in the international sporting world.”
Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer said, “We are honoured to see a horse of the quality of Al Ghadeer travel to the UK to compete in our most valuable race and to be a part of history in the making, should he go on to complete a second Doha Triple Crown. We warmly congratulate Al Shaqab Racing, Francois Rohaut and his team on Al Ghadeer’s success, as well as Christophe Soumillon, winning his second British top-level race in less than a week. We are also delighted that Al Ghadeer’s breeder, Dr Mohammed Al Nujaifi is having a successful UK season, and is currently our leading owner by winners.
“We also thank Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club for supporting this race for the last ten years and we look forward to Goodwood’s exciting new partnership with Visit Qatar, which has ensured our race’s place in the global Arabian pattern calendar continues.
“We also congratulate Chloe Mignonneau for winning the £500 Best Turned Out Award for Al Wakrah, sponsored by Gain Equine Nutrition.”
HH Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, HH Sheikh Hamad bin Joaan bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Francois Rohaut, HE Sheikh Abdulla Bin Mohammed Bin Saoud Al Thani and Christophe Soumillon ©Debbie Burt – Equine Creative Media
1st: AL GHADEER (FR)
2nd: Al Wakrah (FR)
3rd: Ska De L’Aigle (FR)
9 ran
Distances: 1, 6,
Time: 1.42.85
Going: Good to Firm
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