7 days ago
RB Kingmaker confirms top-level credentials in QREC-sponsored Gr.1 (PA) Doha Cup
Tribune News Network
Doha
The experienced RB Kingmaker (Baseq Al Khalediah) landed a well-deserved Group 1 success in the 2000 metre contest for 4-year-olds and up in a top-class Purebred Arabian card of the QREC-sponsored Gr1 PA Doha Cup (Prix Manganate) at Deauville in France on Tuesday.
Khalifa bin Mohammed Al Attiyah, QREC Board Member, presented the trophies to the winners
Trained by Mme Jean-François Bernard, ridden confidently by Cristian Demuro, and racing in the colours of Helal Alalawi, the six-year-old horse delivered a powerful performance in a small but select field of five.
Restrained early to let the pacemakers do their job, RB Kingmaker sat fourth. With Joe Star (Al Mourtajez) increasing the pace in front, and Al Zwair (TM Fred Texas) tracking in second for stablemate Luwsail (Al Mourtajez), RB Kingmaker settled about four to five lengths behind the leading trio, while Moshrif (Dahess) travelled at the rear.
Still going strongly down the back straight, the order remained unchanged, but RB Kingmaker crept closer and joined the leaders approaching the final bend. In the turn for home, he travelled powerfully and swept past the fading Al Zwair to join Luwsail, who was being niggled along. Without being asked for maximum effort, RB Kingmaker quickly took the lead entering the final 400 metres and drew clear in dominant fashion to win by four lengths. Luwsail went a clear second, while Moshrif was third.
A very emotional winning trainer said after the race: 'He is an extraordinary horse. I want to thank Mickael Forest, who does an outstanding, precision job with his pacemaker. He set exactly the right pace at exactly the right moment. Cristian is a top jockey. He's a craftsman as well.'
Bred by Diane Waldron (USA), RB Kingmaker is out of RB Royale Madame (Majd Al Arab), a debut winner over 1200m on dirt at three. She has also produced RB Fassynator (Assy), Group-placed in the United States, and RB Kings Bay (General), a three-time winner over 1400m and 1600m.
