September 16, 2013, UK Press Release~ The Group 1 Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club Harwood International Stakes for colts and geldings, fillies and mares with prize money of £150,000. Winning time: 1:48:18
HH Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani owned Tabarak (Nizam x Altese D’Aroco) came up with a sterling performance to win the GBP 150,000 Group 1 Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club Harwood International Stakes at Doncaster racecourse on Saturday, September 14.
Though the going of the 1,600-meter turf contest for four-years-old and over Arabians was soft, the Alban de Mieulle trained Tabarak was up to the task on hand as he kept aside the challenge of Djet Taouy and Al Mouhannad and asserted his supremacy. Tabarak also announced his arrival as a serious challenger in the Qatar Arabian World Cup to be staged at Longchamp racecourse in Paris on October 6. Champion French saddle artist Olivier Peslier was astride the winner.
A crowd of almost 30,000 flocked to Doncaster Racecourse, UK, for the final day of the Ladbrokes St Leger meeting where one of the feature races showcased some of the world’s most accomplished purebred Arabians. Staged under the patronage of HE Sheikh Mohamed Bin Faleh Al Thani, Chairman of the Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club (QREC) and promoted in conjunction with the Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO), the Group I race marked the first ARO Arabian race to be run on a UK Classic card.
Winning trainer Alban de Mieulle said, “I was very pleased with him and it was a good race. I hope we will go next to the Qatar Arabian World Cup at Longchamp but he wouldn’t want the ground to be any softer that it was today.”
Winning jockey Olivier Peslier said, “I knew he was a fast horse probably the best in the race – he’s won well.He picked up well at the end of the race even though the ground was too soft for him. He was third in the big race of the Qatar Arabian World Cup last year when the ground was very heavy and we think he needs quicker going.”
H.E Sheikh Mohamed Bin Faleh Al Thani presented specially commissioned trophies to the winning connections and QREC Secretary General Sami Al Boenain represented the absent winning owner, Umm Qarn.
Mark Spincer, Doncaster Racecourse Managing Director said, “It has been a great pleasure for us to stage such a prestigious Arabian race and an honour to host H.E. Sheikh Mohamed. I was delighted with the way the Ladbrokes St Leger Day crowd embraced the race and we look forward to establishing the QREC Harwood International Stakes as a valuable addition to the St Leger Day programme.”
2. Djet Taouy (Dahess ex Win Taouy)
3. Al Mouhannad (Nizam x Al Ryme)
File Photo: H.H. The Emir’s Sword (Group 1) in Doha, Qatar , Pamela Burton
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