29.01.2020

PRIX OUROUR - Ajaweed confirms by revelling in the mud

TOULOUSE (FR), NOVEMBER 11^th 2019

L PA - 3-year-olds - 2,000m - € 20,000

Since the beginning of the season, Ajaweed (Al Mamun Monlau) has continuously crossed swords with future PA Group winners such as Good des Vialettes (AF Albahar), Emporio (Josco du Cayrou), Min'ha (No Risk Al Maury) and so forth… However, on the heavy ground of the Prix Ourour (L PA), there were no such barriers and she capitalised by sluicing home and recording her first win. The Al Shaqab Racing filly was coming off a second in the Prix Nevada II (Gr3 PA), and this ensured that she started a hot favourite at 5-2 on for this end of season Listed race.

A cut above the rest. The Thomas Fourcy runner, the mount of Julien Augé, was unhurried in the early stages as Texane du Loup (TM Fred Texas) tried to make all. In view of the conditions, the latter set a relatively strong tempo. Going into the final bend, some of the runners started to send out distress signals. Princesse du Connors (Al Mamun Monlau) then whisked the lead off the pacesetter, and at a time when the future winner was noted making headway on the outside. On hitting the straight, Ajaweed quickly delivered the knock-out blow. Leaving her rivals for dead after thrusting herself in the thick of it, she simply had to be kept up to her task under a hands and heels ride. Well held by Ajaweed on previous Mont-de-Marsan form, Bint Albahar Kb (AF Albahar) managed to finish a six lengths second. Joskio (Josco du Cayrou) was a close third.

Underscoring a great year for the Fourcy stable. The Royan professional enjoyed yet another great season, having landed eight of the nine French PA Group races for 3-year-olds. Thomas Fourcy said of his string: "I’ve had the good fortune of being able to blend quantity and quality in equal measure. The 2019 season has ended on a very positive note as the strike rate was a good one. Al Shaqab Racing was one of the first stables to support the yard when I got my licence. That has always meant a lot to me and it’s always satisfying to train black type winners for this stable." On the subject of Ajaweed, he added: "We’ve always held her in high regard and she has invariably had to mix it with some good horses this season. However, she has always given it her best shot. The opposition was far more within reach in this Listed contest and she capitalised. Looking to the future, she will be aimed at the top fillies’ races of her age group after a break. She could tackle the first PA Group race of the season for fillies."

The sister of Daloob. Ajaweed was bred by Al Shaqab Racing. She’s a daughter of Al Mamun Monlau (Munjiz), the Al Shaqab Racing sire based at the Haras du Grand Courgeon. Haija (Amer), the dam, was a winner in Qatar. She has also foaled the Qatar Derby (Gr3 PA) second Daloob (TM Fred Texas). Asbaa d’Aroco (Bosphore), the grandam, is the ancestress of a whole host of very good performers. We can cite the examples of the Hawthorn Hill International Stakes (Gr2 PA) winner Adjinn d’Aroco, (Tidjani), The President Cup (Gr1 PA) second Ashaaya d’Aroco (Dormane); plus Tabarak (Nizam) whose roll of honour comprises the Emir’s Sword, the Doha Cup, the Coupe de France des Chevaux Arabes and the Hawthorn Hill International Stakes  (Gr1 PA); without forgetting the Doha Cup (Gr1 PA) victor Al Tair (Amer); plus Al Anqa (Amer) and Amsara d'Aroco (Dormane): the respective winners of the French Arabian Breeders'  Challenge and of the la French Arabian Breeders’ Cup des 3ans (Gr1 PA)…

TOULOUSE (FRA), 30^th NOVEMBER 2019

PRIX OUROUR

L PA - 3-year-olds - 2,000m - €20,000

1^st        AJAWEED (55) F3

Al Mamun Monlau & Haija, by Amer

Owner & Breeder: Al Shaqab Racing

Trainer: T. Fourcy

Jockey: J. Augé

2^nd       BINT ALBAHAR KB (55) F3

Af Albahar & Karimah, by Frère des Loups

Owner: M. Alhuzami

Breeder: K. Al Bahou

Trainer: Mrs J.-F. Bernard

Jockey: G. Guedj-Gay

3^rd       JOSKIO (57) C3

Josco du Cayrou & Black Ninite, by Lucens

Owner & Breeder: Bearn Arabians E.A.R.L.

Trainer: O. Trigodet

Jockey: M. Forest

Other runner(s) in finishing order: Princesse du Connors, Guide du Prélat, Texane du Loup & Gaia du Paon.

All ran (7).

(Turf). 2'28"90. Distances: 6 1/2 - 1/4 - 5 1/2.