Sheikha Reem’s Ebraz lands Gr1 PA Qatar Cup at Arc Trials in Paris

Tribune News Network Paris The Qatar-sponsored Qatar Arc Trials day took place at ParisLongchamp on Sunday. His Excellency Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al Thani, ...

Tribune News NetworkParisThe Qatar-sponsored Qatar Arc Trials day took place at ParisLongchamp on Sunday. His Excellency Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al Thani, Ambassador of Qatar to France, was present at ParisLongchamp and presented the trophies to the winners of the Qatar Cup - Prix Dragon (Gr 1 PA) landed by HE Sheikha Reem bint Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani’s Ebraz, and the Gr1 Qatar Prix Vermeille won by Ali Saeed’s Teona. Both races are the final rehearsal for the Qatar Arabian World Cup (Gr1 PA) and the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Gr1) to be run at the same course in three weeks.The day had included 10 races, with siz of them group contests – and all marked by the name of Qatar.Mighty Ebraz claims eighth group one landing Gr1 PA Qatar Cup - Prix DragonSporting the silks of Her Excellency Sheikha Reem bint Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani, the legendary pure-bred Arabian Ebraz (Amer x Massamarie) secured an eight Group One career success when winning the Qatar Cup - Prix Dragon (Group 1 PA).Trained by Julian Smart, Ebraz has been in excellent form this summer having won a Group 2 at La Teste De Buch in July before finishing second in a Group 1 at Goodwood (UK) in August. The eight-year-old showed his trademark tenacity in the closing stages of the 2,000m and was once again given a strong ride by his regular jockey Maxime Guyon. Following the withdrawal of Polish runner Wasma Al Khalediah (Jalnar Al Khalidah) who broke free from the stall’s pre-race, the field was reduced to ten runners. Ebraz applied his normal tactics and was held up towards the rear of the field through the opening stages of the race. Stablemate of Ebraz, Maxr (Jaffer ASF) cut out the early running and was quickly clear of the field. With a strong pace being set, Ebraz travelled well throughout. On the turn for home, Maxr began to struggle and was quickly closed down by the field 400m from the line. Artemis (Azadi) took the lead inside the final 400m and began to slip the field. Having made steady headway from the back of the field, Ebraz endured some interference 200m from home and still had 4 lengths to find on Artemis. Switched toward the inside Ebraz showed an incredible turn of foot and rapidly closed down Artemis inside the final 100m. Ebraz gamely got to the lead in the final strides and won by a head from Artemis. Nalink (Amer) was always prominent and finished three lengths back in third. Winning jockey Maxime Guyon said: “He is exceptional; he has such a huge turn of foot. He is simply better than the others but when he gets to the front he doesn’t do too much. Going by the post he was pulling himself and ducked to his left. I guess that shows that he has plenty left in reserve. He will be in great form for the Qatar Arabian World Cup back here in three weeks’ time. That will be harder, and we will have to see how he gets on.” Bred by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani, Ebraz is by the legendary Arabian stallion Amer (Wafi). His dam Massamarie (Tidjani) was a three-time winner and has been fundamental as a broodmare. She has produced Raahah (Amer) to win the Group 1 PA Qatar Trophy Des Juments, Group 1 PA Amir Sword winner Mared Al Sahra (Amer) and also Mu’Azzaz (Amer) winner of the Group 1 PA Shadwell Dubai International Stakes. Final stride lunge for Bubble GiftOne of three trials for the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on the card at ParisLongchamp, the Group Two Qatar Prix Niel was won by the Zak Bloodstock-owned Bubble Gift (Nathaniel x Bubble Back). Trained by Mikel Delzangles, the three-year-old was highly progressive through the first half of the season and won the Group Two Prix Harcourt at ParisLongchamp in May. He has now won three of his seven career starts and was ridden to success by Gerald Mosse. Pre-race favourite Bolshoi Ballet (Galileo) was a late withdrawal due to a vaccination irregularity, leaving a field of five for the Qatar Prix Niel. Bubble Gift was held up last of five through the early stages of the 2,400m contest. Media Stream (Frankel) took the field along at a steady pace, just ahead of Pretty Tiger (Sea the Moon). There was little change to the order throughout the first half of the race and Bubble Gift settled well for Mosse. At the top of the home straight, the tightly grouped field began the sprint for home. Bubble Gift was momentarily outpaced at the back of the group and was the first one off the bridle. Media Stream began to drop away inside the final 400m as Baby Rider (Gleneagles) produced a strong challenge to take the lead. Switched to the outside, Bubble Gift began to find his stride inside the final 200m and closed down Media Stream strongly. Locked in battle inside the final 100m, Media Stream and Bubble Gift passed the post together and a photo was required to split the pair. Bubble Gift was announced the winner by a nose from Media Stream, while Timour (Gleneagles) produced a strong late effort and finished a length and a half back in third. Winning trainer Mikel Delzangles said: “He is always there at the finish and is very tough. He has had a great preparation over the last few weeks, and it is great to see him get his head back in front again” Bred by Ali Hakam, Bubble Gift is by Newsells Park Stud stallion Nathaniel (Galileo). His dam Bubble Back (Grand Lodge) also produced last weeks Group 3 Prix Gladiateur winner Bubble Smart (Intello) and Bubble Chic (Chichicastenango), a dual Group 3 winner in Hong Kong. Teona springs a surprise in Vermeille Having only her second start at Group One level and only her sixth career start, the Ali Saeed-owned filly Teona (Sea The Stars x Ambivalent) saw off her six rivals in sensational style when winning the Group One Qatar Prix Vermeille at ParisLongchamp for her trainer, Roger Varian.Ridden by Olivier Peslier, Teona sat in behind early leader La Joconde (Frankel) and settled well against the rails. Always travelling strongly, Teona built was placed five lengths ahead of Snowfall (Deep Impact) as a strong pace was set by La Joconde through the first half of the race. Joined at halfway by Joan Of Arc (Galileo), who travelled wide early on, Teona took closer order to La Joconde as the field headed inside the final 600m. Despite some brief interference on entering the home straight, Teona was angled out wide of La Joconde by Peslier and stole first run on the majority of her rivals. With a few lengths advantage over the field at the 400m marker, Teona looked difficult to beat and galloped strongly to the finish. Snowfall made ground down the outside inside the final 200m but was always held by Teona who went on to score by a length at the line. Favourite Snowfall finished second, while the game La Joconde held on well for third. Deep Bond makes all in Prix FoyAn afternoon to remember for Japanese owner Shinji Maeda, owner of Deep Bond (Kizuna x Zephyranthes) the game front-running winner of the Group two Qatar Prix Foy at ParisLongchamp. Quickly out of the stalls, the Ryuji Okubu-trained Deep Bond was sent by Cristian Demuro straight to the lead by Demuro. Untroubled by his five rivals, Deep Bond dictated at a steady pace through the first half of the 2,400m contest. Broome (Australia) sat just behind Deep Bond, while favourite Skaletti (Kendargent) was settled towards the rear. On the downhill run towards the final 1000m, Deep Bond began to accelerate progressively and while Broome followed, the remainder of the field were still eight lengths behind the leader. On turning for home Deep Bond was asked to sprint and stole first run over Broome. Iresine(Manduro) tried to raise an effort in third, while Skalleti struggled to produce an effort on the outside. Inside the final 200m, it was clear that Deep Bond had done enough to score and went on to win by a length and a half from Broome. Iresine stayed on gamely to take third, while Skalleti could finish only fourth. Bred by Murata Bokujo, Deep Bond is by Kizuna (Deep Impact) who stands at the Shadai Stallion Station and was also owned by Shinji Maeda. Not only did he win the Group One Japanese Derby but he also won the Group Two Prix Neil on this card in 2013, before going on to finish fourth behind Treve (Motivator) in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Speedy Berneuil a class apartThe familiar green and yellow silks of owner Antoine Gilbert were carried to success by Berneuil (Lope De Vega x Derivatives), who showed an electric turn of foot to win the Group Three Qatar Prix Du Petit Couvert at ParisLongchamp. Trained by Carlos and Yann Lerner, the speedy four-year-old landed a well-deserved win at Group level, having finished second on his three most recent starts, all in black-type races. Ridden by Christophe Soumillion, Berneuil broke quickly from stall three but was restrained and settled in mid-division of the thirteen runners. Ken Colt (Kendargent) and Lady In France (Showcasing) took the field along at a brisk pace for the first half of the 1,000 contest. Always travelling strongly, Berneuil progressively moved closer to the leaders and was primed to pounce. Just outside the 300m pole, Soumillion angled Berneuil out from behind Collinsbay (Cable Bay) and produced the gelding between horses. Once asked to accelerate, Berneuil shot clear of the field. It was clear from inside the final 200m marker that Berneuil wouldn’t be caught and the gelding went on to score by three and a half lengths from Collinsbay, who ran well in second. Wild Majesty (Kodiac) was a late eyecatcher and finished strongly down the outside to take third.Sagamiyra continues prolific riseOne of the most progressive horses of the season, Sagamiyra (Sea The Moon x Sahhaniya) carried the colours of her owner The Aga Khan to success in the Group Three Qatar Prix Du Pin.The Mikel Delzangles trained four-year-old has performed with immense merit across the season and secured a first group success under a confident Christophe Soumillion.