THE PRESIDENT OF THE UAE CUP - COUPE D’EUROPE DES CHEVAUX ARABES GR1 PA
Lacaro du Croate flies home in the ParisLongchamp straight!
In this top-level contest for Purebred Arabian horses, Mureb set a steady pace under Augustin Madamet on ground considerably softened by the rain that had fallen over Paris since the morning. The eventual winner, Lacaro du Croate, trained by Xavier Thomas-Demeaulte and ridden by Guillaume Guedj-Gay, settled in third on the outside. Favourite Lippo de Carrere was positioned second last.
Turning into the home straight, Lacaro du Croate launched a bold challenge, closely followed by Lippo de Carrere. A duel unfolded and many expected the champion to overpower his rival with ease. But Lacaro, helped by her light frame and proven aptitude for very soft ground, refused to yield! She maintained a clear length-and-a-quarter advantage all the way to the post over her main rival. Moneer, finishing strongly along the rail, took third.
Lacaro du Croate provided her young Qatari owner, Mansoor Khalil M. Al-Shahwani, with his second Group 1 victory — remarkable considering she is the very first horse he has ever had in training! A 100% strike-rate at the highest level is exceptionally rare. Deeply emotional after the race, he said: “I’m proud of the filly. She had already given me a first Pure Arabians Group 1 in 2025. I bought her privately. To beat such a field is incredible.”
The official result
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UAE CUP - COUPE D’EUROPE DES CHEVAUX ARABES
1st LACARO DU CROATE (Guillaume Guedj-Gay)
2nd LIPPO DE CARRERE (James Doyle)
3rd MONEER (Mickaël Barzalona)
Time: 2’13’’84. Margins: 1 1/4 – Neck - Neck.
Quotes from the connections
Xavier Thomas-Demeaulte, trainer of Lacaro du Croate (1st), Mont-de-Marsan (40)
“Guillaume Guedj-Gay [Lacaro du Croate’s jockey] has been with me for a very long time. I think we brought him up the hard way! But if he’s getting results today, he deserves them because they are the reward for all the work he puts in. Every morning, every afternoon, he’s there. He’s extremely professional. And today it paid off. He’s one of the finest riders in the South-West and even beyond that — you can see he belongs at this level. (…) Today the field was strong, but we took our chance without pressure and it worked out. And for a young owner, it’s fantastic. Lacaro du Croate is the first horse owned by Mansoor Khalil M. Al-Shahwani.”
Could the filly be aimed at the Qatar Arabian World Cup in early October?
“We won’t really have a choice now! I had a strong group of Purebred Arabians last year and we are continuing that momentum. I have a very good team at home working hard because there’s a lot to do with the number of horses in training. It’s rewarding when the work pays off because everyone’s efforts are recognised. And it motivates the whole team as well. (…) I think the filly has stepped up another level. Horses improve through travelling. It may look like a battle for them, but actually they gain a great deal of maturity from it, and I believe they improve by travelling. I had already noticed that and discussed it with Thomas Fourcy and François Rohaut.”
Alban de Mieulle, trainer of Lippo de Carrere (2nd), Morannes-sur-Sarthe (49)
“We are always disappointed when beaten, especially with a horse who had himself defeated Al Ghadeer in Qatar… But the conditions were different. James Doyle felt he was travelling like the winner, but he weakened over the final 200 metres. I think the slightly testing ground did not suit him. He should next head to Goodwood in England before returning here for the Qatar Arabian World Cup, hopefully on ground that is not too soft. He arrived in France from Qatar three weeks ago. We had a lot of rain last week which slightly disrupted his preparation, but he was not blowing much after the race, so I don’t think that can really be used as an excuse.”
Damien de Watrigant, trainer of Moneer (3rd), Artassenx (40)
“Mickaël Barzalona told me he waited a fraction too long in the straight before asking Moneer for his effort. But the horse ran a very good race. He clearly has the level to win a Group 1. Today was not the day, but the whole team remains very confident for the future. As for his programme, nothing has been decided yet. We will discuss it with the team. There is notably a Group 1 at Deauville — the Doha Cup (Prix Manganate) — which could be considered.”