HM the King for Charity Works and Youth Affairs representative and Supreme Council of Youth and Sports president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa praised the victory achieved by Horses Care Affairs Authority chairman Shaikh Duaij bin Salman Al Khalifa-owned mare A’ali in the Darley Prix Robert Papin in Deauville, France.
A’ali stormed to victory in the Norfolk Stakes, Group 2 (Class 1), defeating a host of elite competitors on the third day of Royal Ascot.
Shaikh Nasser applauded the victories earned by A’ali in space of one month, saying that the Darley Prix Robert Papin is one of the strongly contested horse races at the international level.
He praised the efforts by Shaikh Duaij to prepare the mare and the jockey, as well as the administrative and technical team looking after them.
A’ali followed up her Royal Ascot success with a strong victory in the Darley Prix Robert Papin.
Mares
The narrowly contested race was for mares aged two years and covered a distance of 1100m, featuring a broad list of elite participants from all over the world.
Trained by Simon Crisford and ridden by the champion jockey Frankie Dettori, A’ali made another bold statement with a strong display to maintain her Royal Ascot momentum and gift her owner Shaikh Duaij his second trophy in nearly one month time.
“Darley Prix Robert Papin is considered one of the top races in the world as it always features strong presence by top competitors from all over the world and they are all eager to win first place. A’ali, thanks to the Crisford and Dettori, triumphed in the race to earn her second win.
“I hope she continues in this path to assert the development Bahrain is witnessing in the horse racing sport,” Shaikh Duaij said after receiving the trophy.
“We thank HH Shaikh Nasser for his constant follow-up to A’ali’s progress and his support has been crucial in both wins.”