27.03.2023

Arabian Triple Crown Round 2: Joe Star makes his class tell

Abu Dhabi (AE), March 2^nd, 2023

Gr3 PA - 4-year-olds - 2,200m (11f) - Turf - AED 300,000

Third in the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Poulains (Gr1 PA) in September, Joe Star (Al Mourtajez) has yet to disappoint. The homebred and representative of Helal Alalawi (National Stables) won a conditions race on the Al Ain dirt, following his return effort on January 21^st. He also impressed on his first stab at PA Group level in the United Arab Emirates. The Arabian Triple Crown Round 2 (Gr3 PA) marked his first attempt beyond 2,000m, yet he turned on the style despite the presence of some heavyweight rivals. RB Stryngs Attached (Majd Al Arab), coming off a 12-lengths win, was just under three lengths away in second. RB Kingmaker (Baseq Al Khalediah), the Arabian Triple Crown R1 (L PA) winner, was third...

Joe Star, having been drawn on the wide outside, was taken in hand fairly quickly after the start. The capable Tadhg O'Shea gave him an ideal ride, having positioned his mount in third along the rails. The combination drew upsides the leader, RB Kingmaker, on exiting the final bend, with the pair, in the same ownership, subsequently matching strides for a while. However, when asked to pick up by Tadhg O'Shea, the future winner moved through the gears, whereas his rivals remained rooted to the spot. The jockey opined on dismounting: "He's a very good horse whose profile speaks to the 2024 renewal of the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown (Gr1 PA)."

The brother of Izadi Star

Bred by Laure Castelnerac and Thomas Fourcy, Joe Star is a son of Al Mourtajez: a stallion basking in the reputation of being the Frankel (Galileo) of the PA world. This sire has made a remarkable start to his stallion career. Jose Star was acquired by Paul Basquin (Saubouas Bloodstock) on behalf of Helal Alalawi.

His dam is the Qatar Coupe de France des Chevaux Arabes (Gr1 PA) third Guest Del Falot (Djorman). Her first foal, Ael Star (Dahess), won on his debut before being exported to Qatar. The grandam has produced Mister General (General) whose introductory effort yielded a six lengths win in a maiden (1700m) (dirt) at Doha. The mare has subsequently generated the very smart Izadi Star (Azadi). The latter, an impressive winner on the United Arab Emirates circuit, was beaten a whisker in the Qatar PA 4-year-old Derby (Gr1 PA)...

ARABIAN TRIPLE CROWN R2

Gr3 PA - 4-year-olds - 2,200m - AED 300,000

1^st        JOE STAR (C4)

(Al Mourtajez & Guest Del Falot, by Djorman)

Owner: National Stables 

Breeders: Haras de Castelnérac & T. Fourcy

Trainer: H. Alalawi 

Jockey: T. O’Shea

2^nd       RB STRYNGS ATTACHED C4

(Majd Al Arab & Rich Frynd, by TH Richie)

Owner: Victorious & F. Nass

Breeder: D. Waldron

Trainer: F. Nass 

Jockey: A. De Vries

3^rd       RB KINGMAKER (C4)

(Baseq Al Khalediah & RB Royale Madame, by Majd Al Arab)

Owner: National Stables 

Breeder: D. Waldron

Trainer: H. Alalawi 

Jockey: A. Fresu

All ran (11)

(Turf). 2’26"88. Distances:  2 3/4 - 1/4 - 3 1/2.