03.02.2019

QATAR DERBY - Rijm turns on the style

DOHA (QAT), 22^th December 2018

Gr. II PA - 4-year-olds - 2,000m - $ 150,000

The Julien Augé & Thomas Fourcy team, fresh off a win in the Qatar Derby des 3 ans, again struck gold by following up in the Qatar Derby des 4 ans (Gr. II PA) over 2,000 metres. After missing the break, and almost parting company with his jockey a few metres after the gates had opened, Rijm (Azadi) was forced to bide his time at the back of the field. The author of an eye-catching effort down the backstretch, he left his rivals for dead in the straight. It marked Rijm’s second consecutive PA Group success as he had won the French Arabian Breeders’ Classic - Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup (Gr. I PA) at Toulouse on a prior start.

Baker de Saularie (Kerbella) set out to make all and was tracked by Al Naama (Majd Al Arab) and Meelad (Azadi), who raced towards the outside. Rijm was held-up in the rear where he raced in the slipstream of Rajeh (Jaafer Asf). Julien Augé then called upon Rijm to make up the deficit down the backstretch. Racing away from the rail on the final bend, it was clear that he was travelling with any amount in hand. Asserting with authority, Rijm soon went beyond recall. Rajeh ran on for second as Easter de Faust (Mahabb), the 2018 winner, had to settle for third.

Al Shaqab and H.E. Sheikh Joaan Al Thani end the year on a high

Thomas Fourcy said: "Rijm stumbled on the approach to the first turn. He almost parted company with his jockey and found himself in last place. He then made steady headway and was clearly travelling very comfortably. He’s a small horse who is a creature of moods. I was worried that the ground might prove unsuitable for him, but it didn’t inconvenience him in the slightest. He has considerable powers of acceleration when on song and he showed that today." The winner’s owner & breeder, His Excellency Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani, was able to witness the victory of his protégé in person and Rijm certainly did him proud. Thomas Fourcy added: "It’s even better when he [editor's note: Sheikh Joaan] is present and the horses win. He had the first and second in the Qatar Derby des 3 ans [Amir Al Cham and Daloob]. I’m lucky to be able to train for Al Shaqab, who have faith in me and not everyone is in a position to be able to train two Derby winners. I had aimed Amir Al Cham and Rijm at these two particular races and wasn’t wrong. The whole team is happy. We have ended the year on a high for Al Shaqab and that provides the whole team with additional motivation regarding the year ahead. »

To watch the race:

 https://youtu.be/S1UqIb3BU2c

A brother of the classy Al Mujahaz

Rijm’s dam is the Jean-Marc de Watrigant-bred broodmare Kerjam (Dormane). She captured the Prix du Président des Émirats Arabes Unis at Deauville, and later proved herself at stud by generating Al Mujahaz (Hafid du Bac). The latter won ten races, including the Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani Trophy and H.H. The Heir Apparent Sword (Gr. Is PA). Kerjam is a full sister to Karel, the winner of the Prix du Sultanat d’Oman at Toulouse.

Kera (Kesberoy), the grandam and whose spelling comprises a single ‘r’, is a full sister to Kerra. The latter’s thirteen wins on the track took in the Coupe d’Europe du Cheval Arabe, the Prix Dragon (twice), the Dubai International Stakes (Kempton) and the International Arabian Cup Distaff at Delaware Park. At stud she went on to produce Lwsail (Amer), and the latter was second in The French Arabian Breeders’ Challenge Sprint (Gr. II PA) earlier on the Doha card. The female line of the pedigree traces back to Nevadour (Ourour): one of the foundation mares of the French PA breeding industry.

DOHA (QAT), 22^th December 2018

QATAR DERBY

Gr. II PA - 4-year-olds - 2,000m - $ 150,000

1^st      RIJM (58) C4

Azadi & Kerjam, by Dormane

Owner: Al Shaqab Racing

Breeder: H.E. Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani

Trainer: T. Fourcy

Jockey: J. Augé

2^nd     RAJEH (58) C4

Jaafer Asf & Nelka, by Tidjani

Owner & Breeder: Al Shahania Stud

Trainer: J. Al Ghazali

Jockey: T. Bachelot

3^rd     EASTER DE FAUST (56) F4

Mahabb & Ayisha de Faust, by Al Sakbe

Owner: K. Bin Sheail Al Kuwari

Breeder: Chantilly Bloodstock Agency

Trainer: J. Al Ghazali

Jockey: H. Bentley

Other runner(s) in finishing order: Abercrombie, Al Naama, Meelad, Prince Amer, Ghazi Al Jeryan, Yatzakhan, Évolution du Croate & Baker de Saularie.

Ran (11) - (Turf) - 2’12’’23

Distances: 1 ¾ - 1 ¼ - 1 ¼