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Sheikh Joaan graces racing event at Newbury
Tribune News Network
Doha
HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al Thani, President of Qatar Olympic Committee, graced the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes (Gr1) race meeting at Newbury on Saturday and presented the trophies to the winners.
This racing day is sponsored by Al Shaqab for the third year in a row.
Godolphin's four-year-old Ribchester strolled home by three and three-quarter lengths in the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes (Gr1), the first championship event for milers in Europe.
Ribchester, who ran third in his seasonal comeback in the Dubai Turf, was forced to set the pace after his leader Toscanini missed the break.
He ran down the early challenge of Galileo Gold and found extra when asked by jockey William Buick in the last couple of furlong.
Ribchester collected his second Group 1 win, following the 2016 Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville.
Winning trainer Richard Fahey said,"It's pure ability. I've been quoted before - this horse can go 0-35 in four strides. He's got a lot of speed, a Ferrari engine. He's won and everything's gone great."
Ribchester will head to the Gr1 Queen Anne Stakes, the next leg for milers of QIPCO British Champions Series on June 20th at Royal Ascot.
Al Shaqab Racing silks shone later on the day with the win of the two-year-old colt Denaar, trained by Richard Hannon and ridden by Frankie Dettori in the Olympic Glory Conditions Stakes (Class 2).
Denaar, succeeds Mehmas of Al Shaqab Racing, who won last year this race too.
Khalifa bin Mohammed al Attiya, Al Shaqab's Executive Director, lauded the running of the racing event sponsored by Al Shaqab, especially as it was staged in the presence of Sheikh Joaan.
"For the third year in a row, this race day is sponsored by Al Shaqab", said Attiya.
"Al Shaqab's participation has been very positive with Denaar winning the Olympic Glory Conditions Stakes, following the example of Mehmas, who won the same event last year. Denaar will be seen in other racing events, including Royal Ascot and Qatar Goodwood Festival.
Galileo Gold could be excused as his performance was influenced by the ground.
"We are happy with our participation at Newbury. We will participate in several racing events in the near future and we look forward to more achievements in line with Al Shaqab's capabilities. We always assess each participation for future planning and better outcomes given the increasing scale of challenge and the strong competition in future events", concluded Attiya.
