EXCITING AL GHADEER HEADS ENTRIES FOR QATAR INTERNATIONAL STAKES AT THE QATAR GOODWOOD FESTIVAL

 

Al Ghadeer and Christophe Soumillon win the 2023 Qatar International Stakes (Gr1PA) at the Qatar Goodwood Festival ©Debbie Burt – Equine Creative Media

Last year’s winner bids to retain crown on road to a second Doha Triple Crown

Friday 21 June 2024 –

The Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) is thrilled to see 2023 Qatar International Stakes winner Al Ghadeer among the entries for the 2024 running of the £400,000 Group 1PA contest. Held over a mile on Wednesday 31 July on the second day of the Qatar Goodwood Festival, the race traditionally attracts some of the best Arabians in the world.

Trained by Francois Rohaut, Al Ghadeer became only the second horse to complete the feat of winning the Doha Triple Crown, adding the Qatar Arabian World Cup in ParisLongchamp over 2000m and the HH The Amir Sword in Doha over 2400m in his next two outings. Owned by Al Shaqab Racing, the colt is the best produce to date of their champion racehorse and leading young sire Al Mourtajez, winner of the race in 2016 in record time. Both horses have achieved a rating of 130 – the highest mark ever given to an Arabian racehorse since classifications began in 2011.

Al Ghadeer was bred by Al Nujaifi Racing who have entered impressive Newbury maiden winner, Fareedhat El Izz who has recently joined the stable of Newmarket trainer James Owen. Also a recent addition to that yard that could run at Goodwood is the American bred and owned Winds Of Fortune. An attractive son of Al Mamun Monlau, he showed great promise in the Emirates this winter for Cre Run Farm, winning twice and like Fareedhat El Izz looks the type to progress in class over summer. Owen’s third entry is Upstart Crow, leading UK Arabian of 2023 having won four races in succession, he has already opened his account this season.

In total there are six other PA Group or Listed winners entered, including Al Ghadeer’s stable mates Afjan Ex Mahboop, winner of the Group 1PA Qatar Arabian Trophy des Poulains at Saint-Cloud on Arc weekend and Abdullah bin Fahed Al-Attiyah’s Ska de L’Aigle winner of the Group 2PA Qatar International Derby.

Quotes:

HE Issa Bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi, Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club Chairman commented, “We are proud of our sponsorship of the Qatar International Stakes as one of our most valuable races and part of our commitment to promote Arabian racing. We are very pleased to see this race, once again, attracting some of the world’s top Arabians including Al Ghadeer, Triple Crown winner last season. I’m sure fans of all forms of racing will be fascinated by the spectacle of the Arabian horses at Goodwood. QREC would like to thank ARO and Goodwood for the excellent coordination and cooperation.”

Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer said, “We are delighted to see the world’s highest rated Arabian Al Ghadeer head the list of entries for our most valuable race of the season and the most valuable over a mile in Europe. Should he be declared to run on July 31, it will afford UK racegoers another opportunity to see an Arabian horse of this exceptional quality run in the UK.

“There is a further chance for horses to be supplemented by 12 noon on the 25 July, with declarations due on Sunday 28 July.”

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