His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani’s Mountasir carried his momentum from a promising debut in March when he finished fourth to win the Prix Djerba Oua, a seven-furlong conditions race for Purebred Arabians at La Teste De Buch, France, on Wednesday.
Two hours later, Julien Auge guided Joud Al Cham to Prix Aicha - Wathba Stallions Cup in the colours of Al Shaqab Racing.
Joud Al Cham, owned by Al Shaqab Racing in partnership with his breeder, Nada Mousalli, had run just once as a three-year-old at Toulouse for a win on heavy ground, making it two victories in a row in the conditions race for four-year-old and older Purebred Arabians.
The Azadi colt, saddled by Thomas Fourcy, won comfortably by three lengths in front of the D Watrigant-trained and Anthony Crastus-ridden No And No Al Maury. Midrass, owned by Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa al-Attiyah and trained by Mrs JF Bernard, was further three and a half lengths behind in third under Antoine Werle.
Auge was on board, having accompanied him to his first win as well, and kept him quietly in mid-division. Once in the straight, however, he pulled the four-year-old chestnut colt into the middle of the track and he flew past his rivals in a show of dominance.
Earlier in the day, Fourcy ward Mountasir jumped well from an outside draw before being settled in mid-division by jockey Olivier Peslier. His jockey kept him well covered until 300m from the post. Once clear, the four-year-old bay colt came up under plenty of impulsion to join the more experienced Barada Al Cham. They locked horns from several strides before two flicks of Peslier’s stick sent the Tabarak colt forward to grab victory by a short head in the final metres.
Al Shaqab Racing’s Barada Al Cham was the runner-up under Augé. The Royal Cavalry of Oman-owned and the Philippe Sogorb-trained Maleha was further one and a half lengths behind in third under jockey Anthony Crastus.