4 July 2017, Qatar ~ AL SHAQAB RACING’s dual World Champion AL MOURTAJEZ has been retired from racing following a soft tissue injury sustained in training.

The highest-rated Arabian racehorse in the world, the winner of 9 Group 1s and over €2,100,000 in prize money, AL MOURTAJEZ is a son of world leading sire Dahess, head of the Al Shaqab stallion roster, and out of the Nuits St Georges mare Arwa.

AL MOURTAJEZ opened his racing record with a win at La Teste early in his 4-year-old season, and then went on to win two G3-PAs back to back, and the 2014 Doha Cup G1-PA at Deauville that same year.

As a 5-year-old he scored another three consecutive Group victories, taking the 2015 HH The Emir’s Sword G1-PA at Doha, and retaining his title in the 2015 Doha Cup G1-PA at Deauville.

The grey colt then confirmed his title of Champion when winning his first Qatar World Cup G1-PA at Longchamp on Arc Day, one of the richest Purebred Arabian races.

AL MOURTAJEZ returned stronger than ever as a 6-year-old, when winning four consecutive Group 1s. This impressive feat was achieved with victories in the Qatar Coupe d’Europe des Chevaux Arabes G1-PA at Deauville by 5 lengths, the Qatar International Stakes G1-PA at Goodwood by 8 lengths, the Qatar Cup – Prix Dragon G1-PA at Chantilly by 7 lengths and reaching his career high with a second victory in the Qatar World Cup G1-PA on Arc Day at Chantilly, destroying all opposition again with a 5 lengths win.

Longchamp – 04/10/2015 – QATAR ARABIAN WORLD CUP SPONSORISEE PAR QATAR PETROLEUM (Gr 1 PA.) – AL MOURTAJEZ, Julien Augé –

Such margins earned him the world highest rating for an Arabian racehorse, as well as two
consecutive titles of World Champion Arabian racehorse, arguably crowning him the best Arabian racehorse of recent times.

His trainer Thomas Fourcy commented: “En course Al Mourtajez était un adversaire redoutable, puissant et combatif, avec de la tenue avec un abattage peu commun. C’est un cheval d’exception aux qualités multiples, il a du cadre et des rayons mais il n’est pas un cheval massif, doté d’un très bon tempérament je pense qu’il conviendra à tout type de jument. Il restera un cheval qui sans aucun doute marquera ma carrière d’entraîneur et il me tarde maintenant de voir ses produits.”

“On the racecourse Al Mourtajez always proved a fierce adversary, powerful and tough, he
had stamina doubled with an extraordinary action. He is an outstanding horse with numerous
qualities, he has the frame and scope without being too big. He has an excellent temperament and I believe he will suit a wide range of broodmares. He will remain a horse who has stamped my career as a trainer, I now look forward to seeing his progeny.”

Jockey Julien Augé added: “Puissance, force et courage sont ses gros atouts. Un cheval exceptionnel.”

“Power, strength and heart are his big assets. An exceptional racehorse”

Stud plans for AL MOURTAJEZ will be announced at a later stage.
~end