ENGLISH TEXTS
The Wathnan Racing / Alban de Mieulle partnership in outstanding form Over the past two months, the Wathnan Racing / Alban de Mieulle partnership has recorded four Group victories for Purebred Arabians in Doha. Lippo de Carrere( FR) claimed two major successes, winning the Group 2-PA Qatar International Derby and the Group 3-PA Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani Trophy. Also a son of Al Mourtajez, he had already shone last summer by winning the UAE President Cup at Doncaster. RB Mary Lylah( USA), herself a daughter of Al Mourtajez, secured victory for Wathnan Racing for the second consecutive year in the Group 2-PA Qatar National Day Trophy, following Jabalah( FR) in 2024. Finally, Intisar de Monlau( FR), by Al Mamun Monlau, captured the Group 2-PA H. H. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani Cup, adding a third Group victory to her résumé. At mid-season, Wathnan Racing and Alban de Mieulle are clear leaders in the Qatari rankings.
Muraad in pole position in the Al Maktoum Challenge After beginning his career in France with Damien de Watrigant in 2023, the multiple Group winner Muraad( FR) moved to Abu Dhabi in mid-November 2025 to continue his career under the care of Majed Al Jahoori, still representing his breeder-owner Yas Horse Racing Management. The chest- nut appears equally at ease on turf and dirt. By winning the first two legs of the Al Maktoum Challenge, Muraad( by Thakif) looks very much at home at Meydan. Those two victories added more than € 135,000 to his earnings, bringing his career total close to € 380,000. The next leg is scheduled for February 28, once again at Meydan. On the dam’ s side, he is a grandson of the champion Unchainedd Melody and a nephew of top stallion Munjiz. On the sire’ s side, he is a grandson of Mahabb. A pedigree free of Amer blood, which should appeal to breeders when he eventually retires to stud.
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EMMANUEL CLAYEUX CROSS COUNTRY KING
BY JACOB PRITCHARD-WEBB
When I saw Emmanuel Clayeux at the November Arqana sale for a catch up, I asked him how his team was looking ahead of Pau. It consisted of nearly 30 horses he told me with a team of around 7 cross country horses targeting the meeting including the champ that is Hip Hop Conti. Now Clayeux has always had good cross-country horses. When I worked there, we had Urgent de Gregaine, Diesel D’ aller, and Net Lady were the stand outs with Lucky net Love coming through the ranks as well. The horses were never forced, and they told us that they would be suited by the cross-country discipline. Whether it be down to not enjoying hurdles and Steeplechase racing or just showing an aptitude for jumps and type of style needed to be successful in that sphere. We used to take the cross-country horses out for hour and half hacks, that would involve jumping ditches, banks, logs and cantering through the woods twisting and turning. All things that I believe helps the horses adapt to the demands of a cross country race and Clayeux believes it too. Clayeux’ s team for the cross-country division this year has probably never looked stronger. Headed by three time listed grand cross de Pau winner Hip Hope Conti. A Marvel of a horse really as he was fairly average as a hurdle and Steeplechaser but has taken to the twist and turns of Pau infamous cross country like a duck to water. He was only a two-year-old when I worked for Clayeux, and he didn’ t wow you but there was a quirk or a kink that made you think he might just be alright. His stocky stature and short coupled body means he is very agile and with a powerful backend he finds jumping up and downs the banks and passage du route easy. I believe that the different obstacles that a cross country offer suits a horse with his mentality, it keeps him interested and
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