The Al Shaqab Racing homebred Morad (Al Mourtajez x Nyriad) recorded his second successive victory with a narrow, but game success in the QREC-sponsored Gr.2 (PA) Qatar Coupe de France for three-year-old Purebred Arabians at Chantilly, France on Thursday, 23 June, evening.

One of two runners in the €50,000 contest carrying the colours of Al Shaqab Racing, the Morad is trained by Charles Gourdain and was ridden to success by jockey Christophe Soumillion.

Fourth on his debut at Tarbes in April, the grey colt went on to finish second three weeks later at Bordeaux before getting off the mark on his third attempt at Toulouse just under a month ago.

Already a winner over 1,600m, Morad was ridden handily by Soumillion and was slotted in behind the early leader Obaid (Rabbah De Carrere). Travelling strongly into the straight, he ranged upside the early leader and despite facing a strong challenge from Madrassa (No Risk Al Maury), who is trained by Didier Guillemin and was ridden by Alexandre Gavilan, inside the closing stages. However, Morad held on to score by a head at the line. The Al Shaqab Racing second string Mezown (Al Mamun Monlau) ran on well to finish a further length behind in third, at her second time of asking, for trainer Elizabeth Bernard and jockey Olivier Peslier, proving she is a very promising filly, having won on debut over the same distance at Toulouse last month.

“He did it well and I think there is still a lot of progress to come”, said the winning trainer Charles Gourdain after the race, “He will be comfortable with going further and we are lucky that the programme will suit. He looks after himself and relaxes well through his races, but he can battle at the finish too. I think he is one of our better three-year-olds and we are looking forward to watching him progress.”

A first group success for his sire Al Mourtajez (Dahess), who stands at Haras De Thouras, Morad is out of the excellent broodmare Nyriad (Dormane), who has produced Almaa (Amer) a triple winner at Gr.2 (PA) level and the Listed winner Melbsh (Amer).

Source: Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club