Qatar Arabian World Cup

LADY PRINCESS (FR) (6 m General x Nacree Al Maury (Kesberoy) Owner: Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari Breeder: EARL Du Champ Ginoux & Mme Elodie Bellaud Trainer: Thomas Fourcy Jockey: Jim Crowley ©Debbie Burt

Qatar Arabian World Cup (Group 1 PA) ParisLongchamp, France 2000m 4yo+

Lady Princess finally has her ‘Arc’ . Facing a field of 16, which was remarkably strong in depth as it included two previous winners, in Ebraz (2019), Hoggar De L’Ardus (2021), a Kahayla Classic winner, First Class (2022), as well as multiple Group 1PA winners such as Hattal, Abbes, Teema, Soko and the winner of the world’s most valuable race for Arabians, the Obaiya Arabian Classic, Hadi de Carrere. All proven 2000m winners of the highest class. It was a first win for her owner, Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari, who has now won all four of the 'Arc Weekend' Arabian Group 1 races - three courtesy of Lady Princess, and Saint-Cloud's Poulains courtesy of Moshrif. It also marks a fifth success in the race for trainer Thomas Fourcy, who now equals Julian Smart's own record breaking achievement. It is a first win for Crowley who is becomimg more and more aquainted with top level success on Arabians.

Ebraz (GB)

© Debbie Burt

Given her past form, it seemed almost an insult for Lady Princess to carry the green sash that is France’s version of the UK’s ‘second colours’ but as a mare, she would always reside at the lower end of the card in a mixed field. Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari’s Hadi De Carrere, sash free, raced more prominently, with Crowley settling Lady Princess to the rear of the substantial field. Though Ebraz was ending his career in the very capable hands of Francois Rohaut, it was notable that the tried and tested tactics employed by his previous handler Julian Smart were to the fore, with Khateer Al Khalediah leading the way, in the colours of Ebraz ’s ownerbreeder Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani, as Ebraz loitered at the back with Lady Princess. However Khateer Al Khalediah did not have the speed of some of Al Shahania’s previous pacesetters (some Group winners in their own right) and the Royal Cavalry of Oman’s Soko, who had been pulling hard in behind, was given his head by Cristian Demuro, hitting the front with 600m to go. His lead was brief as the field, quite compacted, entered the home straight, with Hattal on the rail who impressed with a determined run to go clear just over 300m out. His performance, on a track where he has also recorded Group 1PA success, surely underlines what a great loss to Arabian racing and the stud book he will be, as he kept on solidly all the way to the line to finish fourth.

Lady Princess (FR) and Jim Crowley

© Debbie Burt

In what was to be a brave final performance from Hattal, it was not enough as First Classs, on ground which certainly wouldn’t have played to his strengths, was making a fine challenge, but better, were the old rivals, Ebraz and Lady Princess, playing their hands late as usual, and to great effect, up the centre of the course. At the 100m metre pole, Lady Princess had Ebraz ’s measure, as age, and no doubt the two kilo weight allowance took their toll, but it was typical of Ebraz to go down fighting, the king carried out on his shield, the most gallant of adversaries to the acknowledged queen.

200m from home in the 2022 Qatar Arabian World Cup

© Debbie Burt

The horse to note, if he can build on that performance, was the eventual third, the five-year-old Djafar, also a Rohaut inmate, racing in the colours of Abdullah bin Fahad Al-Thani. He had finished fourth behind Lady Princess at Goodwood, having been third in the Qatar International Cup in Doha and is clearly capable of picking up a black-type win.

Djafar (FR) and Christophe Soumillon

© Debbie Burt

Like the fifth, First Classs, with whom he shares his sire, Dahess, he is another who will be seen to better effect on quicker ground, which his three Doha wins last winter attest to. Djafar will most likely have a busy winter season ahead for his ambitious young owner and finishing ahead of some quality rivals will enhance his rating and the likihood of inviations to some of the choice Group 1PA events in the Gulf.

Old rivals Lady Princess (FR) and Ebraz (GB) lead the field home

© Debbie Burt

Speaking after the race Crowley commented: "With the exception of Baaeed, I can’t recall having won a Group 1 race so easily! I'm lucky to be riding her. Lady Princess is a special talent. Travelling into the straight it felt really, really good. The feeling was a very good one. She’s a superstar.

Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari with Lady Princess (FR) and Jim Crowley

© Debbie Burt

Often described by the media and her new regular partner, Crowley, as a ‘pocket rocket’ the diminutive daughter of General had proven course and distance form, having won the Juments back in 2020, and was a short head second to Hoggar De L’Ardus last year.

She seems immune to underfoot conditions, quick or slow, her trademark late run for glory almost always gets her to the front in time and she has now bagged her tenth Group 1PA win.

Having scored for a second time at Goodwood in August, thoughts must inevitably turn to a crack at Qatar’s Triple Crown, as she is already a winner of the HH The Amir Sword. However not before a return trip to Abu Dhabi to defend the Jewel Crown on December 4 (see preview page 103).

Team Lady Princess (FR) in the winners enclosure at ParisLongchamp

© Debbie Burt

Thomas Fourcy with Lady Princess (FR)

© Debbie Burt