HM Alchahine impresses one month ahead of the Qatar Arabian World Cup

A simple public gallop for the champion HM Alchahine…

In a truly-run Qatar Prix Dragon (Gr.1 PA), with Al Shaqab’s pacemaker Al Zwair (TM Fred Texas) setting the tempo, the field settled single file in this order: Djafar (Dahess), Luwsail (Al Mourtajez), HM Alchahine (Al Mourtajez), and Moshrif (Dahess). At the 400-metre mark, Luwsail launched his attack down the centre of the track, quickly followed by hot favourite HM Alchahine. But there was never really a contest. When Cristian Demuro loosened the reins, HM Alchahine quickened away effortlessly, his jockey never needing to ask for an effort. Simply coaxed along with hands and heels, without resorting to the whip, the Italian rider based in Chantilly had nothing to fear (apart from a playful swerve 50 metres from the post). At a safe margin of 4½ lengths, Luwsail finished second, and a further 4½ lengths behind came Moshrif, who secured third after waiting in rear for most of the race.

More than ever, the globetrotting HM Alchahine—trained at La Teste (Gironde) by Elisabeth Bernard and carrying the silks of Helal Alalawi—looks set to be co-favourite for the Qatar Arabian World Cup (Gr.1 PA), the world championship for Purebred Arabians, to be staged on October 5 at ParisLongchamp, on the same day as the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Gr.1).

Official Result – QATAR PRIX DRAGON

1st HM ALCHAHINE (C. Demuro)

2nd LUWSAIL (F. Bughenaim)

3rd MOSHRIF (M. Guyon)

Time: 2’11’’58. Margins: 4½ – 4½ – 1 ¾. 

Quotes 

Elisabeth Bernard, trainer of HM Alchahine (1st), La Teste (Gironde):

“He’s a true champion. It’s going to be a great battle on Arc day in the Qatar Arabian World Cup. Today, I’m reassured. I’m not saying I will win in a month’s time, even if I’ve believed it for three months already. Everything suits him: every racecourse, every climate… He’s the champion of champions. The horse will stay in Chantilly under my care and with my riders for a month, so as not to shuttle back and forth to La Teste. You’re going to say I’m crazy, but I’m convinced he’ll finish ahead of Al Ghadeer in the World Cup! (laughs).”

Cristian Demuro, jockey of HM Alchahine (1st):

“I can’t wait to see the clash in a month with Al Ghadeer, because these are simply the two cracks of their generation. Today was like a public workout for him, which will allow him to arrive fresh for his race in early October. Over the course of my career, I’ve ridden several very high-class Arabians, but since I’ve been riding him, he really stands apart. In a race, he does everything you ask: he follows, he quickens… And ‘Babette’ (Elisabeth Bernard) is doing a truly outstanding job with him.”

Jean de Mieulle, trainer of Luwsail (2nd), Qatar:

“Being beaten like that is always easier to accept. HM Alchahine is the new Al Ghadeer. It’s wonderful to see champions like them. It’s just a pity he’s not ours (laughs)! On October 5, we’ll need a great, a very great Al Ghadeer… We can’t wait to see the duel. Luwsail will also run in the Qatar Arabian World Cup, and we’ll be hoping for heavy rain to give us an advantage, because he loves very soft ground.”

Xavier Thomas-Demeaulte, trainer of Moshrif (3rd), Mont-de-Marsan (Landes):

“Moshrif showed a lot of courage in the finish. At Deauville, he really needed the run. Today, he was much more involved in the race. He produced a solid late effort. Third was the best placing we could hope for. I’m very happy with him. I think he has earned his ticket for the Qatar Arabian World Cup (Gr.1 PA). Those placings are valuable, and we won’t pass them up. He’s experienced, he’s brave, he’s a fine horse.”