Taking on six runners, of which four were colts, the four-year-old purebred Arabian filly Al Doha secured the biggest success of her career to date when landing the Gr 1 (PA) UAE President Cup - UK Arabian Derby - at Doncaster on Saturday.
Carrying the colours of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani and under the care of trainer Thomas Fourcy, the talented filly put in a career best effort to land the 2,000m contest for four-year-old purebred Arabians under a masterful ride from Olivier Peslier.
A debut winner at Mont de Marsan, France, Al Doha followed up with a runner-up finish in a Gr 2 and a Gr 2 victory at Toulouse, France, on her third and fourth career starts in April and May this year.
She, then, headed to Chantilly, France, where she finished second in a Gr 1 in June.
Al Doha went on to capitalise on her second placed finish at Chantilly by landing one of Europe’s most prestigious races for the purebred Arabians, the Gr 1 UAE President Cup - UK Arabian Derby - at Doncaster.
Al Doha crossed the line with a neck to spare over Al Shaqab Racing’s homebred Ghadah, who completed the one-two for the winning trainer Thomas Fourcy and was ridden by Jean Bernard Eyquem. The Athbah Racing-owned and Phillip Collington-trained Thakeera Al Shahania completed the frame as she was a further length and a quarter behind in third under Joanna Mason.
Al Doha left a powerful impression on her jockey, Olivier Peslier, who said after the race: “She finished second at Chantilly earlier this summer and ran a great race. She has followed up nicely here, which isn’t an easy thing to do against the colts. She’s tough, genuine, and still improving. I am very excited for what the future holds. I am delighted for Thomas Fourcy, who is such a talented trainer in every sphere and for his team at home”.
Al Doha was bred at Haras du Berlais by Al Shaqab Racing.