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| Staff Writer |
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In a quaint French café near ParisLongchamp last year, racing enthusiasts gathered to discuss the upcoming Gr.1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe weekend. Among twenty passionate voices debating potential winners of the Arabian World Cup, not one mentioned Al Ghadeer. Hours later, the small but mighty Arabian would silence his critics again, continuing an extraordinary journey that has seen him emerge as potentially the greatest Arabian racehorse in history.
"I remember being in that French coffee shop before the Gr.1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe last year," recalls Mohamed Abdulrahman Al Mansour, Chief Operating Officer of Al Shaqab Racing, with a knowing smile. "Among twenty racing enthusiasts, no one even mentioned his name. He went on to win the Triple Crown - something only Ebraz of Al Shahania Stud had done before."
Born in France in 2019, Al Ghadeer's story is one of constant defiance against sceptics. Originally owned by Dr. Mohammed Al Nujaifi , then by Al Wasmiyah Farm , the son of Al Mourtajez began his career with a second-place finish in a Group Three contest - no mean feat for a debutant. What followed was nothing short of extraordinary: victory in a Group One by several lengths, triumph in France's premier three-year-old race, and a commanding win in the Gr.2 Qatar Derby.
"Every time people doubt him, he proves them wrong," Al Mansour states with evident pride. "When he was precocious, they said he was too small and wouldn't progress. He proved them wrong in the Derby. When they said he wouldn't achieve more, he went to Goodwood and won by ten lengths in pouring rain. Then they claimed it was just because of the soft ground."
Under the masterful guidance of trainer Francois Rohaut and the skilled hands of Christophe Soumillon, Al Ghadeer has developed into a versatile champion capable of adapting to any challenge thrown his way. His recent victory in the Qatar Arabian World Cup at ParisLongchamp marked his second straight win in the prestigious event, setting the stage for an unprecedented attempt at a second DohaTriple Crown.
Al Ghadeer's versatility is particularly impressive. His Triple Crown victory required mastering three different distances: tracks, conditions, and seasons. At Goodwood, he conquered rain-soaked ground; in France, he handled good-to-soft conditions, and in Qatar, he excelled on good-to-firm going.
His victory over top-class rivals like Abbes, winner of the The H.H. The Amir Sword Festival 2023 race and jewel crown in Abu Dhabi, and you only have to look how far back was the rest, served as another emphatic statement of his superiority. Now, as he prepares for an unprecedented second Triple Crown attempt, Al Mansour believes his stable star has earned his place among the legends.
"This is a sport where you deal with an animal. Wonderful as it is - it's not a machine. So there are ups and downs, bad days, good days, sick days. Every horse has a certain potential. You can't create a superstar if he doesn't have that potential."
"He's undoubtedly the best horse in training, and there's an argument for him being the best Arabian horse ever to race. At a minimum, he's definitely in the top three - I can't see anyone close to his achievements," Al Mansour declares.
While Al Ghadeer's immediate focus is on maintaining his extraordinary winning sequence, plans are already being formed for his future. At six, he's approaching the twilight of his career, though Arabians can race until eight or nine. Al Mansour is clear about the priorities: "We want to see him at stud and see the next generation. Being sound and well without any injuries, we're going to campaign for another season, regardless of next week's outcome."
The team is already looking ahead to a more strategic campaign next year, with potential appearances in Dubai and Saudi Arabia on the horizon. However, the immediate focus remains on the upcoming The H.H. The Amir Sword Festival , where Al Ghadeer will attempt to further cement his legacy.
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The success of Al Ghadeer reflects the broader ambitions of Al Shaqab Racing, founded in 2013 by His Excellency Shiekh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani. Despite being relatively young compared to established operations like Coolmore and Godolphin Racing, Al Shaqab has already achieved remarkable success, including victories in the Gr.1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
For Al Mansour, whose journey in racing began watching his father work at Al Shahania Stud with HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani in the early 2000s, the future of Qatar racing looks bright. "Qatar excels in Arabian racing at a high international level. Qatari owners can compete effectively worldwide, with multiple wins from Qatar-bred Arabian horses. Qatar is among the leading countries for Arabian racehorses."
"One of the best traits a horse can have is being honest and genuine," Al Mansour reflects, discussing what makes a true champion. "The relationship between horse and rider is critical. When you have a world-class jockey, their main goal is to convince the horse to run faster, not force the horse to run faster."
His philosophy extends to the industry as a whole. "I think many people get into this industry for various reasons, but we should never forget why we're truly in it - for the love of horses," he shares.
Al Mansour's vision extends beyond traditional racing methods. He is a strong advocate for incorporating modern technology in training and performance analysis. "International trainers are trying to adapt to technology now," he explains. "From tracking respiratory rates during training to analysing sectional timing data, these tools provide crucial insights into a horse's development and capabilities."
Veterinary apps and performance-tracking systems have become increasingly important at Al Shaqab. "Sometimes you think what you've seen doesn't match the data," Al Mansour reflects. "But the numbers don't lie. Within half an hour of a race, you have all the information you need to make informed decisions."
"For our lasting legacy, we want to be a place everyone aspires to work at, with a strong reputation as breeders and owners. Especially as breeders, the highest satisfaction is in breeding a champion. Any owner can buy a champion, but breeding one is different."
"The industry needs new people, and you don't want to scare them off by bad advisors - people who don't really think for the sport, they just think for the financial gain of one year," Al Mansour warns, emphasising the importance of protecting newcomers to the sport.
Looking ahead, Al Mansour sees exciting possibilities for Qatar's racing industry. He envisions a major turf racing festival that could bring together the best horses from Japan, America, Europe, Hong Kong, and Australia. With the success of events like the Saudi Cup and the growing prestige of Qatar's racing programme, such ambitious goals seem increasingly achievable.
As Al Ghadeer prepares for his next challenge, he carries not just the hopes of Al Shaqab Racing, but the dreams of a nation looking to cement its place among racing's elite.
The development of Qatar's racing infrastructure represents a crucial part of Al Mansour's vision. "What Qatar needs is attracting high-calibre horses to compete here. With increased prize money, our race will soon be Grade One," he explains, discussing the evolution of Thoroughbred racing in the region.
Al Mansour's commitment to breeding excellence is evident in his approach to sales. "I love buying from yearling sales - it's the most exciting part of my job," he shares. "With yearlings, your talent is truly tested. You only have the pedigree and the horse standing in front of you to evaluate through observation. That's where your expertise is proven."
This dedication to identifying and developing talent extends to his use of technology in selection. "Within half an hour of a race, you have all the data you need. You go in, check the numbers, and drive your decisions. If you think what you've seen doesn't match the data and you're not comfortable, then you don't buy."
The future of Arabian racing in Qatar looks particularly bright. Al Mansour points to multiple wins from Qatar-bred Arabian horses on the international stage as evidence of the country's growing influence. With Al Ghadeer as their standard-bearer, Al Shaqab Racing continues to demonstrate that Qatar can compete with and beat the best in the world. Under the careful management of Al Mansour and his team, this small horse with a giant heart continues to prove that in racing, size isn't everything — it's the heart, determination, and the right support system that makes champions.
"This is really a team sport," Al Mansour concludes. "Every person from the one who bred the horse, chose the mating, foaled the horse, raised the horse, looks after the horse in their group - every member is just as important as the other. You can't take anyone for granted. That's the key to a successful team in this sport."
A second Triple Crown attempt beckons for Al Ghadeer, a feat never achieved in Arabian racing. At six, he's approaching his career twilight, but Al Mansour sees more chapters to be written.
For now, the Brave horse who keeps defying the odds continues to carry not just Al Shaqab Racing's hopes, but Qatar's racing ambitions on his shoulders. In doing so, he's already secured his place in racing history.