Sports
Al Shaqab Racing’s Nour Al Maury triumphs in Gr 1 (PA) French Arabian Breeders’ Challenge Classic
Following a good effort in the Gr 1 (PA) Qatar Arabian World Cup earlier this month, five-year-old Nour Al Maury (Azadi) secured victory in the Gr 1 (PA) French Arabian Breeders’ Challenge Classic - HH Sheikh ZBS Al Nahyan at Toulouse, France, on Thursday. Trained by Thomas Fourcy and owned by Al Shaqab Racing, the Purebred Arabian, expertly ridden by Mickael Barzalona, has now secured her seventh Gr 1 (PA) title. Nour Al Maury settled in second last as the race was led by Soko (Nieshan). As the race intensified, the remarkable mare surged ahead inside the final 400m and won by a length and a quarter. Bad Guy Pompadour (No Risk Al Maury), who was supplemented, finished in second place, while Molfit (Al Mourtajez) took third. “She was at the top of her game this season, despite that she’s a very light filly”, said the winning trainer after the race. “She recovered well from Longchamp which was my only worry beforehand. But she did a canter, she’s done it easily.” Bred by Mlle Renee-Laure Koch, Nour Al Maury is a daughter of Nectarina Al Maury (Jalnar Al Khalidiah) and a full sister to Gr 2 (PA) winner No Reply Al Maury (Azadi).