04.02.2021

AL MAKTOUM CHALLENGE ROUND 1: BRRAQ ENABLES JEAN-CLAUDE PECOUT TO MAKE A FLYING START

MEYDAN (UAE), JANUARY 7^th, 2021

Gr1 PA - 5-year-olds and up - 1,600m - AED119,373

Hitting the target at the first time of asking in the United Arab Emirates, particularly in a Gr1 PA race, amounts to some achievement! However, the French trainer Jean-Claude Pecout, in his first season as a trainer at Al Ain, achieved just that. Coming off a creditable return third on the grass at Abu Dhabi, Brraq (Mahabb) seemed to relish the dirt course at Meydan, which he was discovering for the first time, by taking the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 (Gr1 PA) in the Yas Horse Racing colours of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Despite her bad draw, the defending champion Rb Money to Burn (Majd Al Arab) was soon at the head of affairs, and the mare was initially chased by Rawaa (Munjiz). The future winner, having also had to contend with a high draw, raced wide throughout as a consequence, but, as he was travelling well, it enabled him to make headway in the final bend. In the straight, the pacesetter folded, whereas Brraq thrust his way into the thick of action, before going to snare victory after dominating Fettah du Loup (Kerbella). The latter achieved an excellent second race on his comeback race. Af Alwajel (Af Al Buraq) filled the final place on the podium.

To see a replay of the race, click the following link: https://youtu.be/u43YLAvHbf8

A FIRST GR1 PA SUCCESS BECKONS

The French trainer Jean-Claude Pecout was clearly elated and he said: "This is my first Gr1 PA win. Jean de Roüalle, the horse’s previous trainer, told me that he was a good horse and that he should relish the dirt course at Meydan. He hit the target today. It’s incredible." Jean de Roüalle, by the side of his friend and colleague Jean-Claude Pecout, added: "Brraq has always been a quality horse but he was difficult. Jean-Claude has done a marvellous job with him. So he should be congratulated!"

FROM THE LINE OF AKBAR

Brraq is a son of Mahabb (Tahar de Candelon). He’s a dyed in the wool product of the breeding operation of Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He’s also the best offering of his dam Fattana (Njewman), herself a half-sister of the stallion Shadiyda (Al Sakbe) whose eight successes comprised the Emirates Championship (Gr1 PA); and Thakif (Mahabb), the winner of the National Day Cup, the President Cup and this same Al Maktoum Challenge R1; plus the Al Maktoum Challenge R3 winning Raaziq (Munjiz) (all Gr1s PA races). Sheena (Djelfor), the grandam of Brraq, is a full sister to the prolific sire Akbar. This is the line of Fantasia (Gosse du Béarn), one of the foundation mares of the PA racing scene in France

MEYDAN (UAE), 7^th JANUARY

AL MAKTOUM CHALLENGE R1

Gr1 PA - 5-year-olds and up - 1,600m - AED 119,373

1^st           BRRAQ (57) H8

                (Mahabb & Fattana, by Njewman)

                Owner: Yas Horse Racing Management

Breeder: H.H. M. Bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Trainer: J.-C. Pécout

Jockey: Adrie. de Vries

2^nd          FETTAH DU LOUP (57) H6

                (Kerbella & Paida du Loup, by Dormane)

                Owner: K. Zaman

Breeder: Mrs C. Dupont

                Trainer: S. Al Ghunaimi

Jockey: H. Bentley

3^rd          AF ALWAJEL (57) H6

                (Af Al Buraq & Samira de Carrère, by Djouras Tu)

                Owner: K.K. Al Nabooda

Breeder: K.K. Al Nabooda

                Trainer: E. Oertel

Jockey: T. O'Shea

Other runner(s) in finishing order: Dagui Lotois, Jayide Al Boraq, Rawaa, Rb Torch, Shahm, Assuan, Mirna, Af Al Sajanjle, Taymour, Rb Money to Burn & Es Ajeeb.

Non-runner: Rb Texas Hold Em.

(Turf) 1'47"07. Distances: 3/4 - 3 1/2 - 1 1/4.