Cualificar unleashes a devastating turn of foot to capture the Qatar Prix Niel

From nightmare to redemption for Cualificar

In the final straight, Cualificar (Lope de Vega) was living a true nightmare! Trapped against the rail, he was unable to find room between the pacesetter Tennessee Stud (Wootton Bassett) and his outside rival, Nitoi (Siyouni). Meanwhile, Bay City Roller (New Bay) was finding his stride down the center of the track, having initially seemed outpaced. At that moment, it looked as though the André Fabre-trained colt might suffer the same fate as other young champions before him: a defeat in the Niel with excuses… before taking his chance in the Arc. Wasn’t it the case with Peintre Célèbre (Nureyev)? Hemmed in for the whole of the straight in the Niel, it cost him victory – before his triumph in the Arc three weeks later, this time with no traffic issues!

But that was without reckoning on the nerves of steel of his jockey William Buick who, confident in his mount’s blistering turn of foot, eventually chose to swing wide, bypassing Tennessee Stud, Nitoi, and Bay City Roller in one swoop. Such detours usually cost lengths… but when you have the quality, you can believe. And indeed, Cualificar clawed back ground meter by meter on a Bay City Roller who looked destined for glory, finally prevailing by just a short neck – though the margin would surely have been greater with a smoother trip.

Cualificar will now have his chance in the upcoming Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. But this time, with stronger opposition, he will need a much clearer run down the straight.

Official Result – QATAR PRIX NIEL

1st CUALIFICAR (W. Buick)

2nd BAY CITY ROLLER (C. Shepherd)

3rd PARACHUTISTE (O. Murphy)

Time: 2’30’’56. Margins: Short Neck – 1 ½ – Short Neck.

Quotes 

Louise Benard, racing manager for Godolphin in France, owner of Cualificar (1st)

“We are very happy, although I admit that for a moment in the straight I was worried… Losing a race for lack of a gap is perhaps the most frustrating thing. Fortunately, once he found daylight, he was able to express himself fully, and he did so in great style. The fact that William Buick knows him was also an advantage: he already liked him a lot after the Jockey Club. These are very talented horses… and if all goes well, he will obviously line up in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, because he clearly shows that the mile and a half does not bother him at all.”

George Scott, trainer of Bay City Roller (2nd) – England

“I am obviously very pleased with how he ran. We have always believed in him, and we were disappointed at York, but he had his excuses that day and he showed his true level again today. A horse like him has his whole future ahead of him. I am delighted for Sheikh Nasser. He has a very good horse here with great potential. Bay City Roller has a big future, so this is enjoyable and very exciting. He was unbeaten at two, he has had some good races this season, but was disappointing last time at York. I think he will have another race, so we’ll discuss it with Sheikh Nasser and see what he thinks. But yes, he will have another run, so we will see. (…) We desperately need soft ground! Everywhere we go, it dries up! I promise you, he will be a much better horse with some ease in the ground, so we will wait. Today was a test over a mile and a half, and he showed he stays it without any problem. He was bred for it, he had won a Group 2 over 1,400 meters at two, so he has speed and now he stays. He has a lot of quality, and I’m happy to train him.”

Francis Graffard, trainer of Parachutiste (3rd)

“He’s a nice colt who stays the trip. I need to discuss it with the owners, but we are going to try to let him mature, so I doubt we will run him back on testing ground. We’ll rather give him time and aim to make him a good 4-year-old.”

Cualificar wins wild card for Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe

The Qatar Prix Niel is the last stage of the Arc Races, a new circuit of eight exceptional races whose winners earn a wild card for the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

On Sunday 7 September at ParisLongchamp, the winner of the Qatar Prix Niel, Cualificar, earned his place in the ‘world cup of thoroughbreds’, which will be contested on Sunday 5 October at ParisLongchamp.

With the Arc Races, France Galop offers a clear, easy-to-follow and spectacular way to follow the greatest champions on their way to the Arc. The series is designed to engage both enthusiasts and newcomers alike, thrilling them throughout a season rich in excitement.

QREC, the official partner of the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe

The QREC was established in the early 1960s before achieving official recognition in 1975. It is mandated with representing, promoting and advancing equine and equestrian initiatives, from grassroots programmes to the international arena. Focused on equestrian sport and horse welfare, the QREC is dedicated to promoting Qatar as a world class hub for horse racing and a leader in the Pure Arabian breed.

The QREC works in collaboration with local bodies dedicated to achieving excellence in planning, regulation and the development of Qatar’s racing industry to reflect the world's best practices. The QREC has been partner of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe since 2008, and from 2022, it also became the title partner of the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club, one of the most important races for the selection of the breed.