Khalifa Bin Sheail’s HADI DE CARRERRE lands Obaiya Arabian Classic Cup

Qatar’s horses continued to dazzle at the Saudi Cup and left their mark on the second and final day of the meeting with another black-type success after they had captured two victories on the first day. Carrying the colours of his owner Khalifa Bin Sheail Al Kuwari, the five-year-old Purebred Arabian HADI DE CARRERRE (Nieshan x Viki de Carrerre) got up close home to snatch victory in the Obaiya Arabian Classic Cup (Gr.2 PA) at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday, February 26th.

A dual Group 1 (PA) scorer in 2020 and a specialist over the distance, the Thomas Fourcy-trained Hadi De Carrerre got up to score in the final stride of the 2,000m contest for four-year-olds and older, under a fantastic ride from jockey Olivier Peslier.

Close to the pace through the early stages of the contest, Hadi De Carrerre was kept towards the inside rail by Peslier. Nudged along from halfway, the Thomas Fourcy-trained horse travelled in snatches and turning into the straight, had three lengths to find on the duelling pair of Tilal Al Khalediah (Laith Al Khalediah) and RB Rich Lyke Me (Majd Al Arab).

Switched out to the centre of the course inside the final 200m, Hadi De Carrerre closed strongly on his flailing rivals. As RB Rich Lyke Me faded in the closing stages, Hadi De Carrerre continued to rattle down the centre of the course and snatched victory by a nose from the Saad Mishref-trained and Adel Alfouraidi-ridden Tilal Al Khalediah right on the post. The Fawzi Nass-trained RB Rich Lyke ME held on to take third as he was further two and a quarter lengths behind under Adrie De Vries.

“He is both a beautiful and very good racehorse”, said winning trainer Thomas Fourcy after the race, “He was in the perfect position throughout even if I thought that the kickback held him back a bit. Once he was switched out to the centre of the track, he really changed gear. He has a huge heart and will head to Dubai next.”

Source: Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club