26 October 2018, Toulouse, France ~ Rijm, under Julian Auge, won the Sheikh Zayed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan French Arabian Breeders’ Challenge Group 1 in Toulouse, France, on Wednesday, 24 October 2018.
Group 1 Sheikh Zayed Cup – French Arabian Breeders Classic
Rijm, guided by Julian Auge, and Al Mouwaffak under Jean-Bernard Eyquem (both by Azadi) made it a 1-2 for trainer Thomas Fourcy in the Group 1 Sheikh Zayed Cup carrying prize money of €45,000. Ijram under Francois Xavier-Bertras finished third in the 2200-metre race.
HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship
Earlier in the meeting, Megane Peslier, eldest daughter of ace French jockey Olivier Peslier, won the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship race to book a berth in the championship finale in Abu Dhabi in November.
Megane struck on Hind, a 4-year-old Mahabb filly, owned by HH Sheikh Mansoor’s Yas Horse Racing Management while Germany’s Lille-Marie Engles on Emir Du Loup (Kerbella) finished about a quarter of a length behind the French lady jockey. In third place was Camilla Graver of Norway on Jaahez (No Risk Al Maury).
It was only a second career win for the 23-year-old Megane Peslier in 20 starts and she will now line up for a shot at the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship final.
French Breeders’ Arabian Challenge Races GroupII
HH Sheikh Mansoor-owned Hayyan (Munjiz) under Ioritz Mendizabal won the French Breeders’ Arabian Challenge for Colts (Poulains) Group II race, while Bel’izam (Nizam) came in second and Amir Al Cham (TM Fred Texas) was third.
In the French Breeders’ Arabian Challenge for Fillies (Pouliches) Group II, the winner was Adiba (Burning Sand) under Gabriel Bon followed by Yas Racing’s Yaraa and Aleen, both by Sarrab, finishing second and third respectively in the 1,600-metre race.
Ms. Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, Chairperson of the International Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA) and Chairperson of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committees in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR), congratulated HH Sheikh Mansoor on the success of his horses and added that the stage was now set for the November 9, 2018 finale of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival in Abu Dhabi on 9 November 2018.
The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival is sustained by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and coordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, with National Feed and Flour Production and Marketing Co. LLC as associate sponsors, The National Archives as the official partner and Emirates airline as the official carrier, in cooperation with Emirates Racing Authority, IFHRA, IFAHR, Emirates Arabian Horse Society, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abu Dhabi Youth Council, General Authority for Sports and sponsored by Ayadi LLC, Global United Veterinary Services LLC, Nissan Middleast Al Massood Automobiles, Nirvana Travels and Tourism LLC, Equicare Veterinary Services, Alawal Stud, Cavalos Equine Care & Supplies, SET Sustainable Environmental Technologies, Al Awani General Enterprises, Omeir Travels, Kabale, YAS Channel, Abu Dhabi Falconers Club, Emirates Falconers Club, Mohammed Bin Zayed Falconry and Desert Physiognomy School, Racing Post, Paris Turf, Al Wathba Centre, the UAE’s General Women’s Union, The Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2018, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club and Anantara Hotel.
~ End supplied report