|
Raqiyah won the first of the four-race series of 2009
organised by the Emirates Equestrian Federation for Qatari
owner Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani in front of a
packed crowd of over 20,000 people at the Chantilly
racecourse, on a clear and pleasant rain-free day. Raqiyah,
ridden by Arnaud Bouleau and trained by A. De Mieulle,
finished in 1.49.30 seconds. The Chantilly race had a field of
eight Pure-bred Arabian horses. A prize money of €50,000 was
distributed to the winners. |
|
In a day considered significant in the racing calendar in
Europe, Chantilly Racecourse also played host to two other
important racing events including the $400,000 Prix Jean Prat
(Group I) for three-year-old Thoroughbreds, sponsored by Abu
Dhabi-based Etihad Airways and Prix D'Abu Dhabi (Prix Ville
Chantilly) Handicap for four-year-old Thoroughbreds.
Kentucky-bred Lord Shanakil posted a breakthrough victory in
the 1600-metre Prix Jean Prat with jockey Jim Crowley astride.
The four-year old held off second-placed Oiseau De Feau (also
an American horse) by a head in the exhilarating finish
getting the first-ever Group I victory to its trainer Karl
Burke. Lord Shanakil, owned by Mogley Stud and Mark Gittins,
fought its way to the finish in 1:38:90 seconds. New York-bred
C.P. Lemaire-ridden Oiseau de Feu finished a half-length in
front of third-placed German horse Irian ridden by S.
Pasquier.
The Prix D' Abu Dhabi (Prix Ville Chantilly) handicap for
four-year-old fillies ended in a dead heat with Irish-bred
Rymi which was ridden by D. Boeuf and French-bred Miss Stream,
ridden by A. Crastus finishing together in 2.03.10.
For the Chantilly Racecourse, the day was of even more
significance as the day marked the 1000th race for Pure-bred
Arabian horses ever since they started running in France.
Taleb Dhaher Al Muhairi, Secretary General of Emirates
Equestrian Federation, gave away the trophies to the winning
owners and jockeys, along with Mohammed Saif Hilal from the
UAE Embassy in France and Ahmed Al Rumaithi, member of the
Racing Committee from the UAE.
On this occasion, Al Muhairi stressed the fact that the
Pure-bred Arabian horse racing has achieved 15 years of
unprecedented success in Europe and it is ''by no means a
small achievement."
While thanking all those who have made this series a success,
Al Muhairi stated that the President Cup Series is still
considered the premier racing event for the breed in the
world. He also added that to mark the 15 years of its success,
the Emirates equestrian Federation launched a logo which
reflects the meaningful aspect of Abu Dhabi culture with local
significance yet resonating global audiences.
Al Muhairi also stated that the races will move on to
Newmarket and Ascot in UK (July 8 and 25 respectively), Moscow
in Russia (August 15, 2009) and Baden Baden in Germany.
CAPTIONS: 1. Raqiyah won the HH The President of the UAE
Championship Derby Series in Chantilly on Sunday, July 5, 2009
2. Taleb Dhaher Al Muhairi, Secretary General, Emirates
Equestrian Federation, (second from right) seen with the
winning jockey and the owner of Raqiyah and other officials at
the Chantilly Racecourse, France, on Sunday. |
