€80,000 Gontaut-Biron Hong Kong Jockey Club (Gr3): Al Hakeem on the Arc road again

Sunday, August 11, 2024, Deauville-La Touques Racecourse (Calvados). – After finishing second to Calif in La Coupe (Gr3) following a fourteen-month absence, Al Hakeem (Siyouni) started as the favourite 63 days later in the €80,000 Prix Gontaut-Biron Hong Kong Jockey Club (Gr3, 4-year-olds and up, 1m2f), facing four opponents. This fourth-place finisher in the 2022 Qatar Arc travelled in second behind the leader Sacaya (The Grey Gatsby) before challenging him into the straight and ultimately holding off the strong finish of Woodchuck (Birchwood) on the outside and Elusive Princess (Martinborough) coming from the back along the rail. The five runners finished within two lengths of each other.

Al Hakeem is entered in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Gr1).

Fourth on his debut at Deauville as a 2-year-old, Al Hakeem secured three consecutive victories before finishing fourth in the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club (Gr1). Upon his return, two months later, he won the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano (Gr2), then went straight to the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, finishing fourth behind Alpinista. He also placed fourth in the Prix d’Harcourt (Gr2) during his spring comeback and did not race again until June.

Al Hakeem was bred by his owner, Al Shaqab Racing. He is out of Jadhaba (Galileo), also trained by Jean-Claude Rouget when third in the Prix Pénélope (Gr3). She is out of Naissance Royale (Giant's Causeway), who finished fourth in the Prix Saint-Alary (Gr1) and was a Group 2 winner in the USA. Jadhaba was purchased as a yearling at the Arqana sales for €620,000 from Écurie des Monceaux.

Following Al Hakeem, Jadhaba produced Yousfiya (Shalaa), who won her first race in June at Dieppe, Jalelah (Siyouni), who is also trained by Jean-Claude Rouget, and a colt, also by Siyouni, born last year.