The His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani-owned Mukatel Al Shahania (Gazwan) produced a nice performance to win the Sheikh Mansoor Festival - Prix Tidjani (PA) at the La Teste de Buch in France. Trained by Francois Rohaut, the Purebred Arabian was having his second start after a promising debut at Toulouse last month. With Ioritz Mendizabal in the saddle, Mukatel Al Shahania was prominent through the early stages of the contest. Still travelling extremely well on the turn for home, Mukatel Al Shahania showed a good turn of foot to quickly get rid of the opposition to win by three lengths. Mouzaffar De Monlau (Assy) was second while Jallaab Du Soleil took third (Munjiz). Bred by Al Shahania Stud, he is out of a Gr 2 (PA) winner Djelana (Al Sakbe) and a half-brother to Gr 1 (PA) winner Khataab (Amer).
Winning debut for Intisar De Monlau in Prix Razzia III
The unraced Intisar De Monlau (Al Mamun Monlau) made a bright start as she won the Gr 3 (PA) Sheikh Mansoor Festival - Prix Razzia III which took place at La Teste on Wednesday.
Owned by Mubarak Ali al-Nuaimi, the Purebred Arabian is trained by Mme Jean-François Bernard and is now a Gr 3 (PA) winner. Ridden by Maxime Guyon, the three-year-old made the most setting a slow pace. Headed by the free-going Lambada Du Croate (Af Albahar) before the final bend, Intisar De Monlau proved much the best despite showing greenness, to win by one length with pricked ears. Lady De Faust (Af Al Buraq) finished well to grab second while Wala’a (Gazwan) took third spot. Bred by R. Bourdette & Suc. Ma. Bourdette, she is out of Leila De Monlau (Nizam), who is a half-sister to Gr 2 (PA) winner Africa De Monlau (Af Al Buraq) and a half-sister to Gr 1 (PA) winner Jugurtha De Monlau (Al Mamun Monlau).
Nour Al Maury takes Criterium des Pouliches
The Gr 1 (PA) Sheikh Mansoor Festival - Criterium des Pouliches went the way of the title holder Nour Al Maury (Azadi) who won this race last year. Carrying the colours of Al Shaqab Racing and trained by Thomas Fourcy, the five-year-old won the fifth Gr 1 (PA) of her life career. Under a fine ride by Mickael Barzalona, Nour Al Maury was happy to chase the leaders over the 1,900m contest. With Al Wakrah (Tm Fred Texas) leading the race with a healthy advantage entering the home-straight, the fantastic mare played her card late to beat Al Wakrah. Norma Al Maury (Azadi) was third. Bred by Mlle Renee-Laure Koch, Nour Al Maury is out of Nectarina Al Maury (Jalnar Al Khalidiah) and a full sister to Gr 2 (PA) winner No Reply Al Maury (Azadi).
