Excellent SAMLLA back to winning ways

Winner of the Gr.1 (PA) Qatar Derby des Pure-Sang Arabes de 4ans at Chantilly in June, the highly talented four-year-old purebred Arabain Samlla (Assy x Djakera Des Forges) carried the colours of Her Excellency Sheikha Reem MK Al-Thani to a sixth career success when winning the Gr.2 (PA) French Arabian Breeders’ Challenge Sprint at Bordeaux Le Bouscat on Saturday, September 18th.

Trained by François Rohaut, the triple Gr.1 (PA) winning colt dropped down to 1400m for the first time in his nine-race career and got back to winning ways under jockey Maxime Guyon, following a game third placed finish on his most recent start at Goodwood in July.

Sent off an incredibly short-priced favourite, Samlla was confidently ridden towards the rear of the six-runner field and travelled easily through the early stages of the race, which was dictated by Aajel (TM Fred Texas). With all his rivals seemingly covered, Samlla was taken wide into the home straight and swept through to lead on the bridle. Allowed to stride clear, the colt went on to score by four and a half lengths over Safwah (Burning Sand), with Rysk Tout (No Risk Al Maury) taking third.

Bred by Al Shahania Stud, Samlla is by their multiple Group One winner Assy (Amer). His dam Djakera Des Forges (Kerbella) was unraced.

Source: Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club