QATAR ARABIAN WORLD CUP The great champion Al Ghadeer becomes the first three-time winner of the Qatar Arabian World Cup

The outstanding champion Al Ghadeer (Al Mourtajez) captured on Sunday at ParisLongchamp his third consecutive Qatar Arabian World Cup, the world championship for Purebred Arabians — an unprecedented achievement in the history of the race.

This year, however, the opposition was stronger than ever, with a formidable rival in HM Alchahine, another son of Al Mourtajez (himself a two-time winner of the World Cup, in 2015 and 2016).

In running, Christophe Soumillon cleverly positioned Al Ghadeer just behind his main rival. When the latter quickened, Al Ghadeer followed, waiting until the final 200 metres to launch a decisive attack.

According to his trainer François Rohaut, this was to be his penultimate major race, before one last appearance in Doha in the HH The Amir Sword, after which he will retire to stud.

It was also Christophe Soumillon’s third consecutive Group 1 win on this memorable Arc Sunday.

The official result

QATAR ARABIAN WORLD CUP

1st AL GHADEER (Christophe Soumillon)

2nd HM ALCHAHINE (Cristian Demuro)

3rd RB MARY LYLAH (James Doyle)

Time: 2’13’’81 – Margins: ¾ – 2½ – 2

Quotes from connections 

François Rohaut, trainer of Al Ghadeer (1st), Pau (France)

“He’s the best! He proved it again today, against the toughest rival he’s ever faced. There was a huge amount of pressure… and he rose to the occasion. What a magnificent horse! It was the first time he’d met a rival of such calibre, and he really had to dig deep to go and get him. Christophe gave him a dream ride. Everything went perfectly, and the horse has once again moved up a level.

Fourteen starts, thirteen wins, more than five million euros in prize money… that’s an exceptional record for an incredible horse. He deserves it. I don’t think we’ll ever see another like him. He has absolutely everything: he’s beautiful, kind, brave. He’s never caused a problem, not in training nor in daily life. He’s calm in his box, indifferent to the others. His life revolves around eating and sleeping. He gives so much emotion — to his owner, to the whole team, and to me as well.

There was a lot of pressure, really a lot. From Al Ghadeer’s side too — he’s now won this World Cup three times in a row, something that had never been done before. We’ll never forget him. He’s the horse that has marked me the most, the one who’s made me suffer the most… but in the best possible way. Today, he achieved something truly exceptional. I think he’s never been better.

We weighed him regularly, sometimes every week, and this time he was eight kilos lighter than before — for a horse like him, that’s a lot. We could feel he was ready to deliver one last great performance, and he did. Everything fell into place; it was perfect. He behaved perfectly before the race, didn’t pull, and the pace was just right.

Thank you Jean-Bernard, thank you Faleh. It was the perfect race, exactly as Christophe had described it beforehand. I gave him a free hand — he spoke with JB and Faleh to make it a real team effort. And everything went exactly as planned. He’ll now run in the HH The Amir Sword in Doha — his final race — where he’ll attempt to complete a hat-trick in the Arabian Triple Crown.”

Elisabeth Bernard, trainer of HM Alchahine (2nd), La Teste-de-Buch (France)

“It’s a big disappointment… He had a perfect trip; there’s nothing to criticise. What’s certain is that the Arabian breed comes out stronger from this kind of duel. He’s heading to the Emirates now and will be back next year.”

Alban de Mieulle, trainer of RB Mary Lylah (3rd), Doha (Qatar)

“She ran a great race! We told James Doyle to track Al Ghadeer and wait, and he followed instructions perfectly. She didn’t pull, which she can do sometimes. Perhaps on a firmer track she could have finished closer, but there’s no shame in this — the two colts are simply better. She was the only filly in the field and showed she fully deserved her place. You’ll see her again this winter in Qatar.”

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.

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