Paris: Two Group 1 races for purebred Arabian horses were held at the start of the major races accompanying the 2026 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at the Saint-Cloud Racecourse in Paris on Friday.

Sponsored by the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club, the event was attended by QREC Chairman Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al Attiyah and Vice Chairman Rashid Nasser Sraiya Al Kaabi, along with President of France Galop Guillaume de Saint-Seine and Vice President Arnaud de Seyssel.

Al Shaqab Racing dominated the first day of competition, winning both races and securing both prizes. Sheikh Hamad bin Joaan Al Thani received the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Poulains for three-year-olds from QREC board member Abdulrahman bin Mansour Al Mansour, in the presence of the France Galop President.

In the Qatar Arabian Trophy for three-year-old fillies, Balsam, owned and bred by Al Shaqab Racing, won the 2000-metre race. Ridden by jockey Pierre-Charles Boudot and trained by Xavier Thomas-Demeaulte, the victory marked Balsam's first at the highest level and completed a 1-2 finish for the trainer, with Narbonne taking second.

Al Shaqab Racing's Azadi colt Msaieed had opened the Group 1 double by landing the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Poulains. Ridden by Jean-Bernard Eyquem and trained by Thomas Fourcy, Msaieed also secured his first victory at the highest level.

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