RB Kingmaker (15/8JF) added a fifth G1 to his CV with a classy display under Christophe Soumillon in the Qatar International Stakes for pure-bred Arabians.
Supplemented into the mile contest last week by trainer Elisabeth Bernard, RB Kingmaker raced in midfield before quickening away from his seven rivals for a comfortable two-and-a-quarter-length success. Lippo De Carrere (15/8JF) was second, with Lacaro Du Croate almost three lengths further back in third.
This was a fourth straight victory in the Qatar International Stakes for Soumillon, who captured the three previous renewals on Al Ghadeer, while Bernard won the inaugural running with Sir Bani Yas in 2015.
Bernard, who is based in France, said: “Eleven years ago, my husband died in May, and I came here for the first time in my life alone as a trainer with my horse, Sir Bani Yas, and I won. Eleven years later, I have come back with another grey horse, and I have won. This is one of the best days of my life. I am so happy because RB Kingmaker is a special horse. He has a big heart and a good head. He likes this race because you need a lot of courage to win it.”
She continued: “For the past two years, I have had this horse over the summer, as his career continues over the winter in the UAE. From the first time he arrived in my stable, I loved him because he is so kind, so easy to train, and every time he runs, he leaves his heart on the track. He is so courageous, so generous, so kind. I have never seen him bite or anything like that. This year, I received him a little later in the season than in previous years, but he is such a marvellous horse and came back into good form very quickly.
“He has had success in France with me, and now in England, but his success in Saudi Arabia and the Emirates has come with his owner [Helal Alalawi], as he is also a trainer there. I am lucky that he chose me to train his best Arabian horses. I am very lucky.”
Qatar International Stakes (Group 1 PA)
1 RB Kingmaker (Helal Alalawi) Elisabeth Bernard FR 7-9-00 Christophe Soumillon 15/8F
2 Lippo De Carrere (Wathnan Racing) Alban de Mieulle QAT 5-9-00 James Doyle 15/8JF
3 Lacaro Du Croate (Mansoor Khalil M. Al Shahwani) Xavier Thomas-Demeaulte FR 5-8-10 Guillaume Guedj-gay 9/2
8 ran