QREC sponsored Qatar Derby des Pur-Sang Arabe de
4 ans (L) a success at Chantilly

Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s Sir Bani Yas wins title

Al Shaqab Racing’s Al Mourtazez and Photon du Loup present their credentials

Sir Bani Yas fought a hard 2,000-metre battle at Chantilly on Sunday, 15 June 2014, to win the Qatar Derby des Pur-Sang Arabes des 4ans (L). Jean-François Bernard’s charge, who belongs to Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, made his move easily on the rail but only a nose separated him from Al Shaqab Racing’s Al Mourtazez.

Al Shaqab Racing’s runners presented their credentials and proved their credit in Europe. While it was the first black-type race for Al Shaqab’s three runners, both Al Mourtazez and Photon du Loup were able to leave a good impression and secure the second and the third places respectively.

Following Sir Bani Yas’s victory, Jean-François Bernard spoke about this son of Amer: “I told Christophe Soumillon not to take the lead too early, as he has a tendency to stop when he hits the front. It is an immense honour for me to win for the colours of Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Sir Bani Yas is an excellent horse. He belongs to the first generation of horses that were sent to me by Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the son of the President of the United Arab Emirates. He is the leading owner in Abu Dhabi and he has invested a lot in very good mares to create a high quality breeding operation. I think that this horse will be even better next year. We will give him time to mature. I am not sure that he will run in Deauville, as he would have to take on his elders. We will try to run him in the race [Qatar Arabian World Cup) on Arc day.”

Source: Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club