€400,000 Guillaume d'Ornano: Al Hakeem passes Summer test

Monday, August 15, 2022, Deauville-La Touques Racecourse (Calvados). – If need be, a little more weight was given to the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club form, won by Vadeni (Churchill). Fourth on June 5, his stablemate at Jean-Claude Rouget’s stable Al Hakeem (Siyouni) made a victorious comeback in the Prix Guillaume d'Ornano (Gr2), a three-year-olds-only 1m1/4 contest. Held up behind the leaders, Cristian Demuro's ride moved forward off the final bend. Junko (Intello) was a fierce challenger, but he couldn’t quite keep up with Al Hakeem, who eventually dominated near the post, as confirmed by the data provided by the tracking system: the winner clocked the fastest last furlong in 11''93. 

Jean-Claude Rouget suggested that the next objective for the Al Shaqab Racing homebred could be the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Gr1), on October 2, straight out of this successful comeback. By Siyouni out of a Galileo mare, Al Hakeem has lots in common with his former stablemate Sottsass, winner of the 2020 Arc.

Al Hakeem was bred by his owner Al Shaqab Racing. He is out of Jadhaba (Galileo), also trained by Jean-Claude Rouget and third in the Prix Penelope (Gr3). She is out of Naissance Royale (Giant's Causeway), a Prix Saint-Alary (Gr1) 4th who won a Grade 2 in the USA. She had been bought as a yearling at the Arqana sales for 620,000 euros from Écurie des Monceaux.

After Al Hakeem, she gave a 2-year-old filly, Al Anoud (Kingman), also trained by Jean-Claude Rouget. Her yearling is by Shalaa while a full sister to Al Hakeem was born in the Spring.