The Peninsula
Qatar owned horses have an impressive strike rate on the magnificent Spanish racetrack of San Sebastian.
On Sunday, Al Shaqab Racing’s filly Cephale De Ghazal (FR) (Munjiz x Chamade De Ghazal) landed a second victory in the Wathba Stallions Cup, a conditions race for Purebred Arabian fillies over ten furlongs.
Ridden by Alexandre Gavilan, Cephale De Ghazal chased the highly strung Havane De L’ardus, who set the pace and was very green throughout the race.
In the straight, Cephale De Ghazal proved to be too strong and won the race even though she had to battle with Fowairet (FR) (TM Fred Texas x Balica De Faust), another Al Shaqab Racing filly, who finished runner-up under Julien Grosjeanfor trainer Charles Gourdain. Trained by Elisabeth Bernard, Cephale De Ghazal began her career with a victory in December on the Pau all-weather track. For her second start, she finished sixth in the Sheikh Mansoor Festival - Prix Nefta (Gr2 PA).
Cephale De Ghazal was bred by Jean Cambon and his daughter Rose at Haras de Ghazal in the Southwestof France. Her dam Chamade De Ghazal is a Gr3 PA winning daughter of leading broodmare sire Dormane. She also produced Chaval De Ghazal, winner of a claiming race in Qatar. Cephale De Ghazal comes one of the finest French maternal lines, her ancestor being the renowned Nevada II.