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| Staff Writer |
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“Its the love for the horses and what it gives me in return both at work and at the races,” says Qatar-trainer, Alban de Mieulle
Based in Umm Qarn or ‘The Place’ in English, a boot camp and a spa for the horses, the Frenchman is one of the leading trainers of Arabian racehorses in the world and Qatar’s number one.
The spectacular training centre owned by HH Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani was established in Qatar in 1988 by HH Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani Special Advisor to the Emir of Qatar.
The idea was motivated by His Highness' love of horses. Umm Qarn, a 580-acre farm is situated in a natural oasis in the desert north of Doha has been in a continuous state of development and improvement striving to achieve its objectives of breeding and racing the finest Arabian horses.
Under De Mieulle’s keen eye, international owner Sheikh Abdullah Al Thani has thrice won the Qatar Arabian World Cup via General (Amer) in 2009 and 2010 and more recently his son, Tayf.
Alban De Mieulle speaks to TF about his plans to maintain the high standards of Qatar Racing always.
Q: You come from a family of French trainers. What brought you to Umm Qarn and how long have you been here?
A: I arrived at Umm Qarn Farm in October 1995. Umm Qarn management was looking for a French trainer then and I was contacted via Mr Jean Pierre Totain to meet Mrs Val Bunting who was Umm Qarn’s manager.
Q: Who are your current stable stars and what are your plans for them over the next few months?
A: This season we have nice Arabian horses like Abbes, Jabalah and Queenshala.
Our next objective is to win the HH Amir Sword Cup (Pure Arabian) with Abbes. We have aimed Frenck King for the HH Amir’s Trophy (Thoroughbreds), and Jabalah, Queenshaa, Antar for Qatar International Cup.
For the Saudi Cup which is on the 25 and 26 of February 2022, we have King Shalaa for International Cup Handicap and Sealine for the Obaiya Arabian Classic.
We also hope to get an invitation for the Dubai World Cup Raceday in March as well as for the Qatar Gold Sword and Trophy in April.
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Q: How did you adapt the change from training Thoroughbreds to Arabians?
A: I have not trained Arabian horses until I arrived in Qatar. When I started with Arabian horses it was a new challenge. I found that the biggest difference between Arabian horses and Thoroughbreds is that one needs to work on short distances with them and they are cleverer. You have to be very calm with them and not push them too hard.
Q: What is the vision for Umm Qarn and how have you been slowly working towards this vision?
A: Umm Qarn’s vision is to remain at a good level with quality horses that are highly competitive in international races around the world. This can be done with very good support from my owner His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani.
Breeding and crosses with stallions are important to improve horse quality for which we have a breeding farm with Arabian broodmares and thoroughbred mares in France.
Q: What is the most iconic race you are hoping Umm Qarn horses to win? And why?
A: I am very happy with what we have done already with Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani's horses around the world but of course, we have to challenge more and more to keep going at a higher level. The next step of course is Amir sword and Saudi before Dubai.
Q: Please tell us more about Umm Qarn and the facilities at the stables.
A: Umm Qarn is a very big stable with a private training facility, swimming pool, grass track and sand track, grass paddock for the breeding farm, horse walker, and facility for the veterinaries. We also have a sand paddock to walk and relax the horses before and after training. The farm is very nice and quiet for the horses.
Q: What do you think about the new races in the region?
A: I am very pleased to see challenges between the Gulf countries and this is a very good opportunity for this country to improve quality horses in the Gulf. Also to have horses coming from all around the world to participate in the international races gives the Gulf countries a new world vision.
Q: Please tell us about your favourite raceday in Dubai or Saudi and why?
A: I have never been to Saudi and this will be the first time I will be participating in the Saudi Cup. So I'm excited to do both.
I have been to Dubai many times with both Arabians and Thoroughbreds. It is an amazing place with top-class facilities.
Q: You were born into racing but what has kept you passionate about horses and the industry over the years?
A: There are several things that have kept me passionate.
Firstly, it's my love for horses. Working with them gives me immense satisfaction. Furthermore, our results at the races brings joy.
Secondly, it is the opportunity to work with Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani who is very familiar with horse racing and breeding.
And finally, it is a chance to work at Umm Qarn with its world-class facilities Umm Qarn and the fantastic people. My staff works incredibly hard to secure the very best results at Umm Qarn, and I am thankful to all of them.