Moharram wins Prix Cheri Bibi

Jockey Jerome Cabre rides Moharram to the Prix Cheri Bibi victory in Toulouse. (Robert Polin)

The three-year-old Purebred Arabian Moharram carried the colours of his owner His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani to a second group success when landing the Prix Cheri Bibi (Group 3 PA) at Toulouse on Monday. Trained by the ever-dominant Thomas Fourcy, Moharram landed the Prix Tidjani (Group 3 PA) back in July and has now won three of his five career starts. Ridden for the first time by jockey Jerome Cabre, Moharram was dropping back to 1,600m in this contest, but the colt looked extremely comfortable at the distance and won with plenty of authority. Settled last of the seven runners, Moharram travelled well through the early stages of the race. A strong early pace was set by Ibis De Litre, who led the field down the back straight. Always happy to sit in last place, Moharram was poised to strike on the turn for home. Once in the home straight, the three-year-old cruised to the lead on the outside of his rivals.  Asked to go clear inside the final 300m, Moharram took a few strides to pick up and was challenged by both Ghazi Al Zaman and Safwah. Inside the final 200m, Moharram’s class began to show and he pulled clear of his rivals. He went on to win by two and a half lengths at the line from Safwah who put up a good performance to finish second, just getting the better of Ghazi Al Zaman by a length back in third. “He put up a good effort there and Jerome liked him a lot”, said winning trainer Thomas Fourcy after the race, “He produced a good turn of foot at the finish. This was always the objective and he will now head to Doha with two group victories to his name. He will be changing trainer and will leave for Doha around mid-November.” Bred by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani’s Al Shahania Stud, Moharram is by top Arabian stallion ASSY (Amer), winner of the Group 1 HH The Amir Sword. His dam, Amadine De Ghazal was unraced. She is out of Aouita Croixnoire, who has produced two winners Amen De Ghazal and Aloes De Ghazal.