Staff Writer |
It looks set to be a busy few weeks for French trainer Francois Rohaut. The only trainer in history to have won the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris, two Poules d’Essai des Pouliches, and the Qatar Arabian World Cup, Rohaut has become one of the world’s most prominent trainers.
Boasting a string of top Arabian horses, he has his eyes set on some of the Middle East’s most prestigious and lucrative Arabian races, and several of his stars will travel to the Middle East looking to hold a major chance of victory.
Having enjoyed plenty of high-profile international victories in the past, he knows the formula for success and will be hopeful of a positive few weeks.
Al Ghadeer looks to cement class in 2024 Amir Sword
Heading into the heart of the Middle Eastern racing season, Rohaut has his stable in flying form.
Boasting a winning strike rate of over 20% and a place percentage of over 50%, it’s fair to say that over the next two months, plenty is expected.
Keen to take the spotlight away from himself, he puts his hot stable form down to one thing, ‘You can’t win races without good horses, and I have good horses!’
Rohaut’s journey to the top of the Arabian racing scene has been a long one, and it came in part from a special relationship he shared with Sheikh Hamdan.
‘Sheikh Hamdam always sent me nice horses and we have always had tremendous success with Shadwell-bred horses.’
Despite having been lucky enough to have trained some excellent horses in the past, Rohaut looks to have a horse for the ages in the shape of Al Ghadeer.
Described as the ‘Frankel of Arabian Horses’, Al Ghadeer will look to add yet another prestigious prize to his bulging trophy cabinet when he takes part in the 2024 Amir Sword.
Having produced dominant and special performances in both the 2023 Qatar International Stakes and the 2023 Qatar Arabian World Cup, Al Ghadeer has the opportunity to become only the second horse in history to win the Doha Triple Crown after Ebraz achieved the feat back in 2015.
A real superstar in the world of Arabian racing, he has already netted seven Group wins, with five of those coming at the very highest level.
When he lines up for the Amir Sword, he has a major chance of adding to his impressive recent haul of victories but faces serious opposition in the form of Abbess. The two have never met, but Rohaut believes his horse is ready for the challenge.
‘He has already shown his quality; the next target is the Amir Sword, where he will take on Abbess. We have never met, but right now, he is probably at his best and is ready to show his real quality.’
Despite the threat of Abbess, one of Al Ghadeer’s main challenges may come from his own stablemate, Ch’ezza.
Able to finish third in the 2023 Arabian World Cup behind his more illustrious stablemate, he is a former Group one winner himself, having come out on top in the 2023 President of the UAE Cup. Having beaten Abbess that day, he is clearly a horse that Rohaut loves, and he hasn’t ruled out his chances of success.
‘He’s a really lovely horse, who is big and strong and always gives his best every time. He is very easy to train. He’s just behind the best, but he beat Abbess at Longchamp, and he can do it again. He’s got enough quality to win the biggest races in the world. He’s very easy to ride; he’s the perfect racehorse.’
With Al Ghadeer in flying form, the Amir Sword may come too soon for Ch’ezza to show his qualities. However, few would bet against both Al Ghadeer and Ch’ezza filling out two of the top three spots like they did in the Arabian World Cup and making it yet another special race for their trainer.
Whilst Al Ghadeer will rightly take up most of the headlines, other horses within Rohaut’s stable will be hoping for Middle Eastern success.
One such horse is Ska De L’Aigle. A former winner of the Amir Silver Sword, he also won the 2023 Group 2 Qatar International Derby back in December and will travel to Doha in search of more success in the Qatar International Cup. With good form in the book, Rohaut believes he will travel with every chance.
‘He looks nice; he is happy and ready for his next target. He really enjoys racing in Doha, and all is perfect with him. He is in top form.’
Al Zeer will be trying to replicate the success of Ska De L’Aigle when he lines up for the 2024 Silver Sword. Despite just missing out last time when competing in Doha, Rohaut believes he has a live chance.
‘He was unlucky last time, but that can happen when you have strong fields; if he had a clearer run, he could have won. He is a very nice horse, is in good form, and granted a better run, he should be close to the best in the Silver Sword.’
One of Rohaut’s youngest talents is the exciting three-year-old Molfit.
‘He has had a good preparation for the race, he is improving, and he is a big, strong horse. We are not sure if the track will suit, but we are expecting a big run from him when he gets to Doha.’
Despite his major commitments in the Middle East, Rohaut’s time in Qatar will be fleeting. With seventy horses back in his stable in France, there is much to look forward to when back on European shores.
Although he has several exciting talents, it’s only natural that much of the focus will remain on Al Ghadeer, who looks set for another busy campaign.
‘Al Ghadeer may race in Dubai after Qatar, but if he comes back to Europe, he will have a race before preparing for Goodwood, and then he will head to Longchamp.’
Standing on the verge of creating even more history, Al Ghadeer is helping boost the profile of Arabian racing all across the world and looks destined to become a horse that will be regularly discussed alongside the greats of the sport.
Forging ahead as one of the world’s foremost Arabian trainers, the stage looks perfectly set for Rohaut and his team to have yet another memorable season. Exciting times are ahead.