Pending the resumption of racing in France, the may edition of The French Purebred Arabian by Jour de Galop selected fifteen French four-year-olds worth following in 2020, with 40% of them either from our stallions or running under our colors. As we all look very much forward to see them on the track, some extracts to keep you waiting: Among the best stallions in the world and a sire of an unprecedented number of international Group/Graded horses, DAHESS needs no introduction. On the track, he collected 28 wins in 5 different countries, including 13 G1-PAs, and his progeny continue to impress each single season. Among the exciting charges in 2020 are Haif Mohammed Al Ghatani-bred JARIF and Al Najaifi Racing-bred NENAWA: “A €180,000 buy back at the 2018 ARQANA PA sale, JARIF (DAHESS) has plenty to commend him, and not least the fact that his dam, the highclass Kiss de Ghazal (Dormane), was a multiple Gr1 PA winner. She was also an authentic champion. A latecomer as regards going into training, JARIF made his debut in the French Arabian Breeders’ Challenge pour Poulains (Gr2 PA), finishing sixth at Toulouse on September 6th. On his subsequent start, he faced the élite of his generation, and only gave best to Amyr du Soleil (Amer) in the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Poulains (Gr1 PA). Blessed with "a fantastic attitude and a physique to match", according to trainer Élisabeth Bernard, he should develop into a very smart 4-year-old”. “Regally bred, NENAWA is a half-sister of Ghazwa (Zawam) – the winner of the Malazgirt Trophy (Gr1 PA). Racing in the same colours as the latter, she made her debut in October, and was pitched in at the deep end after being required to tackle the Prix Nevada II (Gr3 PA). Her reputation preceded her as NENAWA (DAHESS) started favourite! Despite failing to meet expectations, she deserves a reprieve this season. Clearly better than what she showed, we eagerly await her return to the racecourse”. Multiple G1-PA winner from a most attractive sire line, AL MAMUN MONLAU lost his maiden tag in the G1-PA Qatar Total Arabian Trophy des Poulains before scoring the coveted G1-PA Dubai Kahayla Classic and President of the UAE Cup-Coupe d’Europe des Chevaux Arabes at 5. Among his progeny aged four figures our talented homebreds SNAN and AJAWEED entrusted to trainer Thomas Fourcy: “The winning margin may only have been a short head but the impression was a lasting one, and it applies to SNAN (AL MAMUN MONLAU) in the wake of his successful debut on the fibresand at Pau on january 28th. Having languished towards the rear for a long way, and made headway as the field turned for home, he exuded promise after getting on top of the situation at the death. His trainer has never hidden the fact that his charge was still a bit laid back on that occasion, and that he would be all the better for racing on grass. He hails from the female line of the much heralded Nevadour (Ourour)”. “Here was a tale of consistency that was rewarded! Hailing from a maternal line which has generated, amongst others, the likes of Tabarak (Nizam), AJAWEED (AL MAMUN MONLAU) first saw the racecourse in July last year. Fourth on that occasion, she has since made the first three in all her subsequent starts. Having finished behind a number of horses which were to prove themselves at the top level, the Thomas Fourcy charge finally got her just desserts at the backend when landing the Prix Ourour (L PA), and the fact that the win was achieved on testing ground is also a plus. She should go on from this”. In the elitist rank of the exciting four-year-olds for the 2020 season are also our homebred MEETHAG and our colour-bearer bred by Nada Mousalli and Hassan Mousli JOUD AL CHAM: “It would be an understatement to say that she has vindicated her pedigree page. Providing her sire, the high class performer Dahor de Brugère (DAHESS), with his first PA Group winner, and out of the renowned Al Nachmiya (Azadi), whose record on the track and in the breeding shed speaks for itself, MEETHAG (Dahor de Brugère) proved imperious in her first two career starts, including the Qatar Coupe de France des Chevaux Arabes (Gr2 PA) at Chantilly. She then found only her stablemate Lady Princess (General) too good when seeking an apotheosis of sorts in the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Pouliches (Gr1 PA) after getting beaten less than a length”. “Out of a half-sister to the useful Saklawi Jadrane (Kesberoy), JOUD AL CHAM (Azadi) is a graduate of the Hassan Mousli breeding academy. Having been kept under wraps, he only saw the racecourse once last season after making his debut at Toulouse in November. In sticky ground, he appeared progressively on the scene after initially bringing up the rear, before going on to easily stamp his authority in the latter stages. Even taking into account the fact that the opposition were hardly ‘world beaters’, he left a very good impression. He will improve and should become an excellent 4-year-old”. Picture: DAHESS by Zuzanna Lupa Photography
