May 3, 2013, Casa-Anfa Racecourse ~ The excitement of the first four races on the sunny Friday May 3 at the Casa-Anfa racecourse in Casablanca gave trainers, jockeys and owners time to anticipate the International Group 3 Grand Prix De Sa Majeste Le Roi Mohammed VI for Purebred Arabians. The prize was 1,200,000MAD ($141,400 – €108,000). The nine five year olds loaded into the gates for the 2100m race. At the finish it was Al Khalidiah Stables’, Ghadanfar Al Khalediah Althani (Jalood Al Khalidiah x Keheilan) under the hands of Roberto Perez that crossed the finish line first to take a portion of the prize. Second under the wire was the Moroccan -bred, Tamar Thabeth (Dormane x Harka), owned by Heritiers Hakam Zakaria, and third in was Djarnizam Maamora (Nizam x Djarnia Lotoise) from local Jalobey Racing.
The Prince Heritier was on hand to deliver the Grand Prix Trophy, welcomed by an honor guard and officials.
This was the second year that the Al Khalidiah team has won this race. Roberto Perez rode Shaghmoom Al Khalidiah to the win in the 2012 edition. 
In the 800,000MAD ($94,000 -€72,000) International Grand Prix Prince Heritier Moulay El Hassan Group 3, named in honor of the young Prince of Morocco, it was the french-bred, Udallan (Monsieur Al Maury x Harien De Faust) first over the line for the 1900 meters. Udallan, bred at Haras Saint Faust, was happily welcomed into the winner’s circle by Saint Faust’s owner, Jean-Paul Larrieu. Sharid Al Khalidiah (Kunz Al Thani x Saba) came in second, and Naratteur Al Maury (Zippy Al Maury x Nevada Al Maury) was third in the ten horse field.
The 2012 winner in the Prince Heritier was Tamar Thabeth, that finished second in this year’s Grand Prix.
The third race of the afternoon, Grand Prix De S.A.R. Le Prince Moulay Rachid for 700,000MAD ($82,500- €63,000) was won by Ispahan (Big Easy x Perle D’Ecune) ridden by Elkandoussi Abedelkader and owned by Daissaoui Kamal. Ispahan was bred in the UAE by Mohamed Saeed Nasser Abdulla Al Romaithi. Nour Hadya (Nour Thabet x Win and See), bred and raised in Morocco by Heritiers Zakaria Hakam was second, the Moroccan-brd, Bihie (Dahess x Khawla) came in third.
The 2012 winner of this race was Yakhlef owned by Dr. Azzedine Sedrati.
The three National races also produced large fields. The Prix Charifa for 4 yrs+ was won by Yakout Al Boraq (Gitpen x Guelza) in a field of 13 horses. The Prix de Jockey Club of Turkey was won by Aman Al Boraq (D’Jaman x Kerfa Al Mels) in a field of 17 horses, and the final race of the card, the Prix de L’A.R.M.E.C. (Local bred Arabian Breeders) was won by Hnina I ( Nour Thabet x Win and See) in a field of 13.
Horse racing is a time-honored national pastime in Morroco. There are many local breeders that support the racing industry, with about 50% Pure-bred Arabian racing to Thoroughbred racing meetings. The National Stud at Bouznika supports National Arabian breeders with several stallions on-site and also in delivering frozen semen from selected stallions from abroad at no or little cost. Some local breeders that support Arabian racing include Al Far, owned by Dr. Azeddine Sedrati, Nassif Ismail, Heritiers Zakaria Hakam, Jalobey Racing, and the Royal Stables, Haras Royal Bouznika.
SOREC, The Society for the Encouragement of Horses in Morocco, is the entity that is charged with advancing ownership, breeding and racing in Morocco. They are in the process of upgrading their technology and reach in the industry and at the six racecourses to encourage the advancement of racing in Morocco and the welcome of more international horses and owners to events.
Raceday photo gallery link: http://photos.horsereporter.com/Racing2013-2/Raceday-Casa-Anfa-May13/29248091_3R4N57
More on SOREC to come in separate article on www.Horsereporter.com.