‘Al Marjanah' shines in Toulouse with runner-up finish
MUSCAT: The Royal Court Affairs, represented by the Royal Cavalry continued to showcase their excellence on the international stage, as their purebred Arabian mare 'Al Marjanah' secured a commendable second place in the sixth race held at the Toulouse Racecourse in France.
The 2,100-metre race, which took place on Sunday evening, featured top-tier contenders from prestigious stables across Europe and the Gulf region.
'Al Marjanah' ridden by jockey Michael Forest and trained by the seasoned French trainer Élisabeth Bernard, delivered a strong performance and remained competitive throughout the race.
'Al Marjanah' claimed the runner-up position behind 'Makhzoom Al Shahania', owned by HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al Thani, trained by Rohit, and ridden by Jean Bernard. While third place went to 'Majaz', owned by Al Shaqab Racing and ridden by Alexandre Gavilan.
The Toulouse race attracted entries from several countries, including Oman, Qatar, France and Spain, reflecting the growing prominence of Arabian horse racing in Europe. The event was marked by high-level competition and tactical brilliance from jockeys and trainers alike, affirming the international stature of the racecourse and its importance as a platform for elite-level racing.
This latest success adds to a series of notable achievements by the Royal Cavalry in France. Where recently the mare 'Al Rasha' clinched first place in the eighth race over 1,600 metres at Bordeaux Racecourse, also under the guidance of Michael Forest and trainer Élisabeth Bernard.
Similarly, Royal Cavalry's horse 'Al Ghanim' triumphed in the seventh race at Montauban Racecourse, covering a distance of 2,250 metres. The victory was secured under jockey Sami Lecoleus, with training again led by Bernard.
These accomplishments underscore the Royal Cavalry's growing competitiveness in European circuits and highlight Oman's strategic investment in showcasing its equestrian heritage on the global stage. Through disciplined training, expert handling, and selective international participation, the Royal Cavalry continues to raise the profile of Omani purebred Arabian horses in premier racing events.
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