Laffan remains undefeated after winning Gr1 PA
Qatar Arabian Trophy des Poulains
Source: JDG / Photos: Scoopdyga
Qatari victories continued on the day, 3 October, with Al Wasmiyah Racing’s homebred star Laffan winning the Gr1 PA Qatar Arabian Trophy des Poulains. Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al Attiyah, QREC Chairman, presented the owner trophy to Ali bin Hamad Al Attiyah, Abdulla bin Hamad Al Attiyah and Mohammed bin Hamad Al Attiyah and crowned the winning trainer François Rohaut and the winning jockey Christophe Soumillon.
Laffan (Af Al Buraq x Ajaayib by Manabb) stretched his unbeaten record to four from as many starts with a determined performance in the Gr.1 (PA) Qatar Arabian Trophy des Poulains over 2000m . Trained by François Rohaut, ridden by Maxime Guyon, and proudly carrying the silks of his owner-breeders Al Wasmiyah Racing, the three-year-old Purebred Arabian colt once again underlined his class, toughness, and growing reputation as the standout of his generation .
After winning the Gr.1 (PA) Al Rayyan Cup – Prix Kesberoy at Deauville in August, Laffan confirmed his superiority at the highest level, this time facing a deeper nine-runner field on Saint-Cloud’s historic turf.
After a good start, Laffan gradually progressed on the outside to take the lead, and once in front, he set a steady tempo, just as he had done last time. Alrakkad (Gazwan x Diva De Nubi by Rubis De Carrere) tracked in second, while the favourite Romeo AT (AF Al Buraq x Tawaazun by Monsieur Al Maury) once again raced too keenly in the slow pace . With positions largely unchanged through the back straight, Laffan travelled happily in front despite Alrakkad trying to apply pressure as they rounded the final bend. In the straight, Guyon began to gently urge his mount forward, and Laffan responded by quickening clear by a few lengths, seemingly putting the race to bed.
However, inside the final 200 metres, Romeo AT launched his run from off the pace and began closing rapidly on the leader. With 100 metres to go, Laffan’s advantage had diminished to just half a length, but the unbeaten colt showed tremendous grit, holding on in a tense photo finish to repel Romeo AT by the narrowest of noses. Sab’aan Al Shahania (Amer x Magouia by Tidjani) finished a clear third.
Winning trainer, François Rohaut, said after the race: “We didn’t go 1, 2, 3, 4, haha. No, no, it’s fine, the horses ran well, they had all worked well, and the jockeys were well briefed, they rode good races, it was all quite straightforward. Some are horses for the future, others are already very mature, like him. No, we ran well, I’m delighted. Retirement isn’t coming just yet. It’s good, it’s good, he deserves to win. He’s been the leader of his generation all season, and he still is today, that’s great. They are real racehorses. Yes, exactly, he has a magnificent physique, he’s a beautiful horse, he’s perfect, he’s sound. No, no, these are horses for the future, they’re future stallions, so it was important to win today." |
