Qatar International Derby Day Celebrations

With the Gulf Thoroughbred Season in full swing, it’s the Qatar Derby at the Al Rayyan Racecourse in Doha, that’s another battle ground of Arabia v’s the Europeans.

In Frenchman Ronan Thomas winning the Qatar Derby Trial of 1750m on the local Alban de Mieulle trained King Shalaa, it’s the French champion Olivier Peslier who now rides in the Derby.

Previously third in the Qatar Guineas for owner Umm Qarn, Ronan Thomas rode to perfection in the Derby Trial, jumping from Gate 7 and be ‘one-one’ in the back stretch and into the bend.

In sweeping to the lead at the top of the straight, King Shalaa held off the challenge of Devious Company to score by ¾ length, even though he laid-in at the 150m, but was straighten.

With French ace Maxime Guyon taking the ride on Devious Company in the Derby, he will be jumping from Barrier 5, with King Shalaa drawing wide at 14 for Olivier Peslier in a 16 horse field.

But can Devious Company turn the table, for in the Derby Trail he jumped inwardly from 13, and in finding the fence along the back straight, he came from well behind with a sustained finish.

Again, it’s the Qatar Derby Trial that has shown how the European Thoroughbred is a most valuable commodity world-wide, with King Shalaa being a €110,000 Arqana October Yearling buy.

By the Arrowfield shuttler Shalaa, he’s the family of former Widden Stud shuttle sire Anabaa, and is a 3yo French 1600m stakes winner, having been an unbeaten duel juvenile winner at 1600m.

In Devious Company being a 100,000 Gns Tattersalls Horses in Training Sale purchase, he’s a twice Gr2 placed winning juvenile in Britain, being sired by the Acomb Stakes winner Fast Company.

With the $500,000 Qatar Derby being run over 2000m on turf for all 3yo’s, it’s UK’s ‘Aussie Tom’ Marquand who will be riding for Arabia on the Al Wasmiyah Farm owned Choco Charley.

In Charlie Fellows being no stranger to Qatar, he has Wishaah jumping from 12 in the Derby for Jim Crowley, and being by Oasis Dream he’s won at 7f, 8f from four starts in the UK this year.

Again, France who has another strong team, and it’s the Fabrice Chappet trained White Whisky coming off two wins at Chantilly, and starting from the outside he’ll be ridden by Stephane Pasquier.

Jerome Reynier has the only filly in the race and in carrying 56kg, against the males on 58kg, Stormy Pouss will start from Barrier 4 for owner Jean-Claude Seroul, having won over 2000m.

In celebrating Qatar International Derby Day on Thursday, it’s the Qatar Purebred Arabian International Derby for 4yo’s of 2000m on turf, that supports the Thoroughbred Qatar Derby.

The programme also features a Local Thoroughbred Qatar Derby of 1800m on turf for 3yo’s, and in addition to three other Arabian Derby’s of 1600m and 2000m on turf for 3yo and 4yo’s.

Determined not to leave Qatar empty handed, Charlie Fellows has the regally bred Nuance leading four runners in the Al Rayyan Stakes for juveniles, run on the far-bend 1400m turf track.

A graduate of the Tattersalls Horses in Training Sale, Nuance jumps from Gate 2, and is by the champion Frankel from the Gr3 winning Dubawi mare Intimation, and has a duel 7f winner.

With Maxime Guyon riding Nuance, its Jim Crowley on Threebagsfull from 11, also from the Tattersalls Horses in Training Sale, and is a 5f Irish winner by the Flying Childers Stakes hero Requinto.

As both Proche Cavalier and Mot And The Messenger are also from the August Tarrersalls Horses in Training Sale, it’s the filly Porche Cavalier who will carry 56kg, against the males on 58kg.

In both being by the Tally Ho Stud sire Coti Glory, it’s Porche Chevalier who’ll start from Barrier 5 for Jean-Bernard Eyguem, with Marco Casamento from Gate 10 on Mot And The Messenger.