Latest news with #CristianDemuro
Irish Times
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Trinity College can't graduate to Group One success as Leffard wins for Rouget
Aidan O'Brien's Trinity College was edged out of Group One glory at Longchamp on Sunday evening as outsider Leffard recorded an emotional success for trainer Jean Claude Rouget in the Cygames Grand Prix de Paris. The five-time French champion trainer bounced back from a wretched period blighted by serious illness to score a top-level victory with the 16-1 shot under jockey Cristian Demuro at Longchamp. Trinity College started odds-on to give O'Brien a sixth success in the €600,000 feature of France's Bastille Day holiday racing programme and looked to have it in the bag when Ryan Moore kicked him into the lead early in the straight. However, Leffard, a supplementary entry into the mile-and-a-half contest just days before, took up the chase and pounced in the final strides to win. Colin Keane's mount New Ground plugged on for third after ruining his chances by running too freely in the early stages. READ MORE Rouget, 72, was immediately surrounded by wellwishers. Once top of the pile in France, and less than two years after the brilliant Ace Impact gave him a second victory in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Leffard delivered Rouget back to the Group One spotlight. Diagnosed with lymphoma last year, the illness prompted him to briefly consider training jointly with Jerome Reynier before that idea was abandoned. He also lost some leading owners, including the late Aga Khan, and his string has reduced significantly. The man who broke through to dominate French racing from the provinces and is the most numerically successful trainer in European history having passed 7,000 winners in 2022, returned to his base in Pau in the south of the country and once more struck at the highest level. 'Life continues, we will do other things,' said Rouget, who in 2016 recorded a memorable success with Almanzor in a vintage Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown. His first Arc winner Sottsass also ran in the Leopardstown race in 2020. 'It was fantastic when I saw the horse coming at Trinity College,' Rouget added. 'I did not there was a big difference between the two. I knew he was very good.' Keane had earlier been forced to settle for second in the Group Two Prix de Malleret when the odds-on Sunly was narrowly edged out by Qilin Queen. Kieran Shoemark dominated the race from the front on the English runner and Sunly couldn't reel her in.
North Wales Chronicle
13-07-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Jean-Claude Rouget back in the big time courtesy of Leffard
The dual Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe-winning trainer – who has had health battles and seen his string much reduced over the last year – was clearly emotional after Cristian Demuro put Leffard's head down right on the line to edge out Aidan O'Brien's Trinity College. Ryan Moore and Trinity College had tracked Frankly Good Cen before switching out and showing a smart turn of foot, one that looked like it would seal matters. That was not counting for Leffard, however, and he too picked up in great style when asked to leave the pair battling out. After the shortest of waits, Leffard – who holds an Arc entry – was announced the winner, putting a below-par effort in the Prix du Jockey Club – in which Trinity College had been fourth before winning at Royal Ascot – behind him and fully justifying the decision to supplement for the Paris showpiece.
Arab News
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
HM Alchahine storms to victory at the UAE President's Cup in Hamburg
ABU DHABI: HM Alchahine (France), a 4-year-old Purebred Arabian gelding owned by Helal Alalawi (France), stormed to victory in The UAE President's Cup over 1,600 meters at Hamburg's Horner Rennbahn on Sunday. The race marked the seventh leg of the prestigious UAE President's Cup series, now in its 32nd edition. It was held under the patronage of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, vice president of the UAE, deputy prime minister, and chairman of the presidential court. The series highlights the UAE's continued commitment to preserving and promoting the global stature of Purebred Arabian horses, a key pillar of Emirati heritage, the Emirates News Agency reported. Staged in conjunction with the 156th edition of the historic German Derby, the UAE President's Cup drew a crowd of nearly 30,000 spectators and featured a record prize purse of almost $293,500, making it the richest Arabian race in German history. Trained by Jean-Francois Bernard and brilliantly ridden by Cristian Demuro, HM Alchahine powered home to claim his second UAE President's Cup win, following his earlier triumph in the Italian leg. He crossed the finish line decisively, clocking a winning time of 1 minute, 45.42 seconds, further cementing his reputation on the European circuit. Finishing second was Al-Wakrah (France), owned by Al-Shaqab Racing, trained by Jean-Loup de Mieulle and ridden by Olivier d'Andigne. Al-Zeer (France), owned by Mohamed Fahad A.H. Al-Attiyah, finished third under trainer Francois Rohaut and jockey Adrie de Vries. Also in the field were Papillion T (Holland), representing the Netherlands and trained and owned by Gerard Th. Zoetelief; Al-Zwair (France), also owned by Al-Shaqab Racing; and Djafar (France), owned by Abubaker S.A. Kadoura, with both horses showcasing competitive spirit. The race and prize ceremony were attended by Dr. Peter Tschentscher, first mayor of Hamburg, Ahmed Al-Attar, UAE ambassador to Germany, Faisal Al-Rahmani, general secretary of the Higher Organizing Committee for the UAE President's Cup, and Ahmed Al-Samarrai, president of the German Arabian Horse Association. The winning trophy was presented to Nasser Hilal Al-Alawi, a representative of the owner, in the presence of the trainer and jockey, amid a celebratory crowd. Speaking on the occasion, Al-Rahmani congratulated the winning team and said they were 'extremely proud of the success achieved in Hamburg. 'The outstanding organization, strong participation, and warm reception all reflect the UAE's growing impact on the global Arabian horse racing scene, a vision driven forward by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed.' He added: 'These results reaffirm the strength of UAE-owned horses in international racing. 'The UAE President's Cup continues to act as a cultural bridge, introducing European and global audiences to the history, values, and noble legacy of Purebred Arabian horses.'
Arab News
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
UAE's HM Alchahine triumphs in Rome
ABU DHABI: The UAE's HM Alchahine delivered a standout performance to capture the title in the fifth leg of the prestigious UAE President's Cup Series for Purebred Arabian Horses, which was held at the historic Capannelle Racecourse in Rome on Sunday. The race formed part of the 32nd edition of the globally recognized series. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport The UAE President's Cup continues to make its mark across major European racing circuits, further strengthening its presence and impact in the international Arabian racing landscape. The series is held under the patronage of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, vice president, deputy prime minister, and chairman of the Presidential Court. The series aligns with long-term goals to support breeders, owners, and the Arabian horse industry worldwide. HM Alchahine, which is owned by Hilal Al-Alawi and trained by Elisabeth Bernard, was ridden to victory by Cristian Demuro. The colt surged into the lead at the final turn and then accelerated powerfully to secure a decisive win, his eighth victory out of nine career starts. The Group 2 turf race was contested over 2,000 meters and drew a field of 16 of the finest Arabians from across Italy and Europe. The total prize purse was almost $338,000. Second was Afjan, representing Al-Shaqab Racing, which was trained by Jean de Mieulle and ridden by Olivier D'Andigne, while third place went to Extra Time. The race was attended by Abdulla Ali Al-Saboosi, UAE's ambassador to the Italian Republic, and Faisal Al-Rahmani, secretary-general of the Higher Organizing Committee of the UAE President's Cup Series. Also present was Mattia Cadrobbi, president of the Italian Arabian Horse Association, along with distinguished diplomatic representatives from various nations. Al-Rahmani said: 'We are proud of the success of the Italy leg (of the series), which continues to embody the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al-Nahyan. 'We extend our deepest gratitude for his generous support and pioneering role in advancing the Arabian horse legacy. 'Italy has become a key destination for champions and a gateway to elite European and Gulf races. Congratulations to Hilal Al-Alawi for this distinguished UAE victory with HM Alchahine, which reflects the outstanding capabilities of Emirati stables on the global stage.'
