14.05.2018

PRIX CARTHAGE-HANNIBAL - A FIRST GROUP WIN FOR AL WALID

TOULOUSE (FRA), 20^th April 2018

Gr. II PA - 4 year olds and over - 2,000m - € 30,000

The signs were all there. Al Walid (Dahess) had won well on his seasonal debut in February on the fibre-sand at Pau, beating Nafees (Azadi). This time, on the Toulouse grass track, the Al Shaqab Racing owned colt repeated that performance and won the Prix Carthage-Hannibal (Gr. II PA), in front of two useful horses, Ahzar (Munjiz) and, once again, Nafees. He was also winning his first Group race.

Al Walid travelled on the outside of the leader, Ahzar, throughout the race, before coming up to join him in the closing stages. There was a great fight to the line, however Al Walid proved the strongest in the final fifty meters. Nafees tried in vain to join the battle, but in the end finished a close third.

UNBEATEN THIS YEAR

Hugely consistent through his four years of racing, Al Walid appears to have taken a leap forward over the winter, and is currently unbeaten from two starts this year.

His trainer, Thomas Fourcy, commented: "He’s a horse that we liked a lot as a three year old, but he had a few small issues. He didn’t have the easiest program, as he had been placed in good races several times last year. He changed physically over the winter and he’s a lot more balanced. He’s a good ground horse. He finished going forward, and now we’ll have to see if he can be competitive in PA Group races."

Fourcy also reflected on Al Mouwaffak’s (Azadi) performance, who was a good fifth after being held up in last position: "It wasn’t his race. It turned into a sprint finish and he has a bit of character. He prefers to come from behind. He spent a lot of time on the walker over the winter and he’s not easy in the mornings. Racing will bring him forward in his condition and he has races over the summer. I was pleased with him today, as he changed legs well and wasn’t too far from the winner. He showed he was Group class last year, and should win one this year. »

THE FEMALE LINE OF THE CHAMPION AL MOURTAJEZ

Al Walid was bred by Hassan Mousli, Nadia Mousalli and Faiz Al Elweet. He is the best living offspring for his dam, Al Sarwa (Akbar). His second dam is Arwa (Nuits St Georges), winner of her only start at three, and a full sister to Al Saoudi, a multiple Group I PA winner and now a sire. Arwa is a top class broodmare, having produced Al Moutawakila (Al Sakbe), winner of the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Juments (4 year old fillies, Gr. I PA) when ridden by Thomas Fourcy, and above all, Al Mourtajez (Dahess), winner of the Emir’s Sword and two time winner of the Qatar Arabian World Cup (Gr. Is PA).

TOULOUSE (FRA), 20^th April 2018

PRIX CARTHAGE-HANNIBAL

Gr. II PA - 4 year olds and over - 2,000m - € 30,000

1^st        AL WALID (60) H5

            Dahess & Al Sarwa

            Owner: Al Shaqab Racing

            Breeder: Mrs N. Mousalli

            Trainer: T. Fourcy

            Jockey: J. Augé

2^nd       AHZAR (60) H5

            Munjiz & Frasquitha

            Owner: J.-M. de Watrigant

            Breeder: E.A.R.L. Haras de Mandore

            Trainer: D. de Watrigant

            Jockey: P.-C. Boudot

3^rd       NAFEES (60) H5

            Azadi & Vivamaria

            Owner & Breeder: Royal Cavalry of Oman

            Trainer: C. Gourdain

            Jockey: O. Peslier

Other runners(s) in finishing order: Shahm, Al Mouwaffak & Lightfeet.

All ran (6). (Turf) Good. 2'16"80. Distances: 1/2 - sh – 3/4.