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| Staff Writer |
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Arabian racing superstar Al Ghadeer cemented his status as the sport's premier performer with a commanding repeat victory in the £400,000 Gr.1 Qatar International Stakes at Goodwood.
The Francois Rohaut-trained 5YO, owned by Al Shaqab Racing, made light work of his seasonal debut, barely touching top gear under Christophe Soumillon to secure the first leg of the Doha Triple Crown.
Al Ghadeer's stablemate Ska De L'Aigle claimed third, while Al Wakrah, trained by Jean de Mieulle and also carrying the Al Shaqab silks, split the Rohaut pair in second.
Rohaut, celebrating his sixth Qatar Goodwood Festival winner, was effusive in his praise: "Christophe calls Al Ghadeer the Frankel of the Arabian world and we know why. He is an exceptional horse and the best I have ever trained."
The French handler added: "He is by far the best at the moment and no-one can beat him over a mile, mile and a quarter and a mile and a half, in soft going, good going or firm going. He is a special horse."
Soumillon, notching his second Qatar Goodwood Festival success, echoed the trainer's sentiments: "Al Ghadeer is amazing. We can run him over a mile, a mile and a quarter, a mile and a half, any kind of ground. He's never run on the sand, that's the only thing, but I think he can go on it. He is a true champion. He's the best Arabian-bred horse I have ever ridden."
The Belgian ace added: "It is such a pleasure to travel in the race like you are in morning trackwork, and in the straight I just asked him to get on his bit and to concentrate to the end, but I never asked him anything."
Al Ghadeer's victory marks the start of his bid to complete a second Doha Triple Crown, having already achieved the feat earlier this year with triumphs in the Qatar Arabian World Cup at Longchamp and the HH The Amir Sword in Qatar.
Rohaut outlined future plans for his stable star: "He will try to win the (Arabian) Triple Crown again and run at Longchamp and Doha. My idea will be to give him a race in between, I think that will be a good idea."
As Al Ghadeer continues to dominate the Arabian racing scene, comparisons to Flat racing greats seem increasingly apt. With an unbeaten record alongside Soumillon and a string of Gr.1 victories to his name, this "best of the best" looks set to further enhance his legacy in the coming months.