Shamardal's Algiers Impressive In Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1

Algiers (Ire) (Shamardal) stormed to an impressive 6 1/2-length victory in the $250,000 G2 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 Presented by Zabeel Feed on Friday to add an exclamation point to the opening card of the Dubai World Cup Carnival.

Already a group winner after taking the G3 Jebel Ali Mile last term, the 6-year-old entire punched the breeze out wide as Golden Goal (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) battled Capezzano (Bernardini) for the backstretch run. In a good rhythm, although at least six deep on the bend, Algiers edged up to make it a line of four 600 metres out, and slingshotted past foes with abandon to seize the advantage just before the quarter-pole. From there it was only a matter of how far, with Discovery Island (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) making up ground to take second, with Everfast (Take Charge Indy) another 2 1/2 lengths behind.

“All credit to Algiers, he was really tough out there,” said co-winning trainer Simon Crisford. “We wondered beforehand if he'd had enough match practice on this surface against these horses, but he's handled it really well.”

“He's won over 10 1/2f (2100metres) at York and in France so he should get it,” he added of the Dubai World Cup distance. “He will be in the World Cup, he's also in the big race in Saudi [at the end of February], and we'll look at the next leg of the Maktoum Challenge too.”

Said Doyle, who was riding his 99th UAE winner, “The draw (11) was always a worry and I had to go four or five wide around the turn, giving away ground, but he's shown again he's a good horse.”

Successful in a Saint-Cloud listed affair back in September of 2020 and at the same tier at Compiegne in June of 2021, he placed in a pair of French Group 3s later that season. Sent to Dubai, he landed his first group race in his second start in the desert, by 1 1/2 lengths in the G3 Jebel Ali Mile in February. Unplaced in the G2 Godolphin Mile on Dubai World Cup night, Algiers made a winning return in a 1 mile 1 1/2f handicap at York, but he tired to sixth in the Listed James Seymour S. at Newmarket after being carried left on Oct. 29. However, he warmed up for this tour-de-force with a very narrow second to  Missed The Cut (Quality Road) in Lingfield's Listed Churchill S. on Nov. 12.

Pedigree Notes

The late Darley stallion Shamardal has 164 stakes winners to his name, with Algiers part of an 83-strong battalion of group winners. Based on Friday's performance, it is not outside the realm of possibility that he could become Group 1 scorer number 28 later in the year.

A half-brother to the dam of the multiple stakes placed Anthorus (Fr) (Territories {Ire}), Algiers is the best foal produced by his accomplished dam, the Platini (Ger) mare Antara (Ger). Earning black type in no less than five countries, the mare was the most highly rated 3-year-old filly of her year in Germany, with a win in the G3 Preis der Deutschen Einheit. She also earned Group 1 placings in Italy, France and England. Besides Algiers, she has three other winners to her credit, with the winning 4-year-old Frankel (GB) gelding Wild Tiger (GB) being her last reported foal.

Friday, Meydan, Middle East
AL MAKTOUM CHALLENGE R1 (PRESENTED BY ZABEEL FEED)-G2, $250,000, Meydan, 1-6, NH4yo/up & SH3yo/up, 1600m, 1:35.88, ft.
1–ALGIERS (IRE), 126, h, 6, by Shamardal
1st Dam: Antara (Ger) (Hwt. 3yo Filly-Ger at 9 1/2-11f,
                                GSW-Ger, G1SP-Ity & Fr, GSW & G1SP-Eng,
                                SP-Tur, GSW-Eng, $499,204), by Platini (Ger)
2nd Dam: Auenpracht (Ger), by General Assembly
3rd Dam: Auenqueen (Ger), by Big Shuffle
O-Hamdan Sultan Ali Alsabousi; B-Godolphin (IRE); T-Simon &
Ed Crisford; J-James Doyle. $150,000. Lifetime Record: MSW &
MGSP-Fr, 19-6-5-2, $416,934. Click for the
   free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Werk Nick
   Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Discovery Island (GB), 126, g, 6, Dubawi (Ire)–Sperry (Ire), by
Shamardal. 1ST BLACK TYPE. 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE.
O-Mohammed Khaleel Ahmed; B-Godolphin (GB); T-Bhupat
Seemar. $50,000.
3–Everfast, 126, g, 7, Take Charge Indy–Awesome Surprise, by
Awesome Again. ($47,000 Ylg '17 KEEJAN). O-Kildare Stud –
Frankie O'Connor; B-Extern Developments (KY); T-Doug
Watson. $25,000.
Margins: 6HF, 2HF, 3/4.

Al Maktoum Challenge (Round 1) (G2)
1600m, 250.000 USD, for 3yo+
Meydan

Algiers (IRE)
(6G Shamardal – Antara, by Platini)
J :@the_doyler
T : S. &. E. Crisford
O :Hamdan Sultan Ali Alsabousi
B : @godolphin
Discovery Island (Dubawi)
Everfast (Take Charge Indy) pic.twitter.com/NnRCpjJgGz

— (@WorldRacing1) January 6, 2023