30.03.2020

ARABIAN TRIPLE CROWN ROUND 3 - BASMAH SEALS HER PLACE AS THE TOP FOUR-YEAR-OLD IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

ABU DHABI (UAE), MARCH 14^th, 2020

Gr3 PA - 4-year-olds- - 2,400m (12f) - AED 300,000

In the wake of her success in Round 2 of the Arabian Triple Crown at the beginning of March, Basmah (Bibi de Carrère) doubled up in Round 3 of the classic sweep, which was run over 2,400m (12f) on the turf at Abu Dhabi. She represents the stable of French national, namely trainer Éric Lemartinel, and was ridden by the handler’s compatriot, Fabrice Veron. The 4-year-old filly, bred by Al Asayl Racing, carries the colours of Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Exhibiting strength of character. Sticking to a familiar script, Basmah was quickest away from the stalls and this was the prelude to her controlling matters. After establishing a clear lead, the filly was noticeably very relaxed, and she was tracked by Dagui Lotois (Dahess) and Omania (Lahoob). There was no change in the order in which the horses raced as the field hit the straight. It was at this point that Basmah unleashed a wicked finishing kick, and this enabled her to put daylight between herself and the rest of the field for an easy win.

Dagui Lotois and Omania completed the podium in second and third.

The complete package of stamina and speed. Basmah made her debut over 1,400m (7f), but since then she has been continuously upped in trip, and on her maiden voyage over the classic distance, she didn’t disappoint. Her trainer Éric Lemartinel told the local press: "She’s an attractive filly and one which we knew would stay the trip. The game plan designed to bring victory has always been to ride her from the front. Fabrice Veron yet again gave a big helping hand in this sense. The jockey has ridden her in her six races, so he knows the filly well, and he never seemed to have a moment’s worry."

To see the race:

https://youtu.be/b7HbKNhaIT8

A talented customer in the mould of her dam. Basmah is out of the Arabian Triple Crown Round 2 (Gr3 PA) winning Nymphea du Paon (Mahabb). The latter proved to be a very talented performer, having also landed the Prix Nevada II (Gr2 PA) in France for Élisabeth Bernard. Exported to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), she made an immediate impact after taking two Gr3 PA contests, and finishing second in the Emirates Championship (Gr1 PA). Nymphea du Paon is a half-sister to Darius du Paon (No Risk Al Maury). Both were bred in France by Sergio Raffaello and the latter was a quadruple winner in the UAE, including the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup (Gr3 PA). The great grandam, Giulia du Paon (Veinard Al Maury), generated Nemrod du Paon (Tidjani), a winner in Morocco and Tunisia, plus Magik du Paon (Mahabb), successful in the Abu Dhabi Championship (L PA), and the very talented endurance performer Padichah du Paon (Al Sakbe).

ABU DHABI (UAE), 14^th MARCH 2020

ARABIAN TRIPLE CROWN R3

Gr3 PA - 4-year-olds - 2,400m - AED 300,000

1^st        BASMAH (55) (F4)

(Bibi de Carrère & Nymphea du Paon, by Mahabb)

Owner: H.H. Sheikh K. Bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Breeder: Scea Al Asayl Racing

Trainer: E. Lemartinel

Jockey: F. Véron

2^nd       DAGUI LOTOIS (56) (C4)

(Dahess & Larissa Lotoise, by Djourman)

Owner: Al Rahmani Racing

Breeder: G. Barry

Trainer: A. Al Mehairbi

Jockey: F. Jara

3^rd       OMANIA (54) (F4)   

(Lahoob & Even Keener, by Bengali d'Albret)

Owner: H.H. Al Sh Nasser M. Nasser Al Hashar

Breeder: H.H. Al Sh Nasser M. Nasser Al Hashar

Trainer: I. Al Hadhrami

Jockey: S. Mazur

All ran (9).

(Turf). 2'41"28. Distances: 3 - NOSE - 4 1/4.