14.05.2018

PRIX DORMANE - HAJRES SHOWS HIS TRUE COLOURS

LA TESTE-DE-BUCH (FRA), 27^th April 2018

Gr. III PA - 4 year olds - 1,900m - € 20,000

Hajres (Nizam) did the silks of Emadadein Alhtoushi proud by enjoying his first Group race success at the Béquet racecourse on April 27^th. Despite making his seasonal debut in the Prix Dormane (Gr. III PA), he showed his rivals a clean pair of heels by winning in good style from the favourite Rajeh (Jaafers Asf). The latter showed plenty of early dash, and after a less than clear run in the straight, suffered his first career defeat. The blinkered Mashhur Al Khalediah (Jalnar Al Khalediah) confirmed that he is on the upgrade after finishing a close third. The protégé of Philippe Sogorb was coming off a win gained by over six lengths on good ground at Toulouse. Rijm (Azadi) was a head further away in fourth. The jury is out regarding the performances of Rodess du Loup (Dahess) and Saleh (Munjiz) until their next race.

A CAREER SPLIT BETWEEN FRANCE AND THE MAGHREB

Hajres began his career with three wins in his native Tunisia before joining the French yard of Élisabeth Bernard in 2017. After consecutive fourths in Group company – races in which several horses which he dominated in his last race were present – he made a return trip to Morocco in November. He beat Aoun (Mahabb) on that occasion in the Grand Prix de Son Altesse Royale le Prince Moulay Rachid at Casablanca. The latter is a solid performer at Group level in France, and has since landed the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup (L. PA) at Marrakesh on April 24^th.

COMING ON IN LEAPS AND BOUNDS

The Élisabeth Bernard yard rediscovered the winner’s circle this season following a stylish success. She told Equidia: “I have decided to only win Group races… but, of course, I’m joking. I admit that I have been devastated this year as my yard has been out of sorts. I’ve tried everything but nothing worked, but I was sure that Hajres had made further progress after his win at Casablanca. He’s a super horse and I’m very proud that he was able to fly the flag for Tunisia, after his Casablanca success, in a French Group race. The horse is a star. Considering the manner of the success gained on good ground and the level of the opposition, Hajres is a bona fide candidate in the top French races this season.

A CHOICE FRANCO-TUNISIAN PEDIGREE

Bred in Tunisia by the Ahmed Essaied stud, Hajres has two French-bred grandparents from the line of Nevada II (Djanor), Nerva du Cassou (Baroud III) and Vent Dredy (Dormane), in his pedigree. His sire Nizam (Amer) stands in Italy at the stud of Mattia Cadrobbi. Hajres hails from a distinguished Tunisian line and the second dam, Bahgat (Hosni), won the le Prix d’Essai des Pouliches (Gr. II PA). She generated the multiple Tunisian Group winning sire Jedel (Zeidoun), whose wins include the Prix du Président de la République (Gr. I PA). The third dam Ghadhouia (Raoui) is descended from the stallion Moussoul (Sour), whose CV includes wins in the Grand Prix du Ministère de l’Agriculture, the Prix du Gouvernorat de Mannouba, the Prix de Sadok Essaied and the Grand Prix de Carthage (Grs I PA). This is also the line of the Prix Farhat Hached (Gr. I PA) winning Orbane (Zeidoun).

LA TESTE-DE-BUCH (FRA), 27^th April 2018

PRIX DORMANE

Gr. III PA - 4 year olds - 1,900m - € 20,000

1^st           HAJRES (58) C4

                Nizam & Tohfet Ennadhirine

                Owner: E. Alhtoushi

                Breeder: Haras Ahmed Essaied

                Trainer: Mrs J.-F. Bernard

                Jockey: J.-B. Eyquem

2^nd          RAJEH (60) C4

                Jaafer Asf & Nelka

                Owner: H.H. Sheikh M. Al Thani

                Breeder: Al Shahania Stud

                Trainer: F. Rohaut

                Jockey: F.-X. Bertras

3^rd          MASHHUR AL KHALEDIAH (58) C4

                Jalnar Al Khalidiah & Amerah Al Khalediah

                Owner: Athbah Stud Limited

                Breeder: Al Khalediah Stables

                Trainer: P. Sogorb

                Jockey: A. Crastus

Other runners(s) in finishing order : Rijm, Rodess du Loup, Meelad, Saleh &Leila de Monlau.

All ran (8).

(Turf) Good soft. 2'05"60. Distances: 1 ^1/2 - sh – sh.