Following some consistent placed efforts, the Al Shaqab Racing-owned and bred TAFSER (Shalaa x Dhan) got off the mark when taking the Prix De Luneau (Claimer) at Lyon La Soie on Friday, October 8th.
Trained by Didier Guillemin, the two-year-old filly was placed on all five of her previous starts and seemed to benefit from a step up to 1,800m. Well placed on race conditions, the filly was given a confident ride by apprentice Clement Merille and the victory was well-deserved for the consistent TAFSER.
Breaking awkwardly from the stalls, TAFSER quickly found her stride and was placed behind early leader IL MAESTOSO (Birchwood). TAFSER travelled well off the rail down the back straight and drew alongside the leader on the turn for home. Taking up the lead in the home straight, she was quickly challenged by JOLINENE (Wings Of Eagles). Holding her position strongly, TAFSER held off the challenge of JOLINENE, who faded inside the final 200m. A final challenge from LILIE BELLE (George Vancouver), inside the closing stages, made sure that TAFSER fought hard to the line and the filly held on to score by a neck. LILIE BELLE took second while FLASH IS BACK (Shamalagan) finished a further length back in third.
Bred by her owners Al Shaqab Racing, TAFSER is by Haras De Bouquetot stallion SHALAA (Invincible Spirit). Her dam, DHAN (Dubawi) was unraced and is a sister to EMERALD COMMANDER (Pivotal) who finished second in the Criterium International (Group 1) at Saint-Cloud.
Source: Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club