In the history of Polish Arabian Horse Racing October the 7th 2018 will forever be one of the most memorable dates. That day, during the famous L’Arc meeting at the Longchamps, FAZZA AL KHALEDIAH (Jalnar Al Khalidiah – Assma Al Khalediah/Amer) delivered an unexpected G1 triumph for his Polish trainer and owners, winning easily in Qatar Arabian World Cup (G1, 2000 m, 1 000 000).
Last season in Poland belonged to Fazza. After losing his maiden tag in the first entry, he continued his winning streak, claiming Białka, Sambor and Porównawcza Stakes (A-cat.) as well as Europejczyk Stakes (B-cat.). His 3-year-old record turned to be a perfect 6:6-0-0.
He opened the next season with easy wins in Comet and Ofir Stakes (A-cat.). After that, Michał Borkowski made his first international try in Milan President of the UAE (Listed, 2000 m, 50 600 €). Fazza won the race, (9th time in a row), but it wasn’t the easy journey – Pierantonio Covertino used the whip 22 times. Soon after that, Fazza was entered to the Qatar Arabian World Cup.
A month and a half ater that came the first failure. In Europa Prize (G3 PA, 2600 m, 148 750 PLN) Fazza had to step out the winners’ circle for French-bred IJRAM (Amer – Massamarie/Tidjani), losing by a whole 2 ½ lengths. After the race the decision of running in the world’s toughest race was questioned by many. None the less Polska AKF team and Michał Borkowski boldly took the risk and went to Paris.
Fazza’s odds before the race oscilated around whopping 1:69, second highest (after the leader). Compare it to QAWC 2017 winner GAZWAN, with odds no more than 1:4,7!
He broke from the gate quite unwell and for a majority of time kept his position behind. The first kilometer was ran in dazzling 1:06’61. Polish commentator at Służewiec Racetrack began to doubt any chances of Fazza’s abilities to take this pace. He couldn’t be more wrong. In the final stretch Pierantonio Covertino found the perfect gap between horses and Fazza just jumped out of the stake, winning clearly by 2 ½ lengths.
Time of the race, 2:13’33, despite being quite slow for the QAWC, still beats Służewiec record by 2,67 seconds!
No Polish horse in a century can compete with this achievement. Modest colt from relatively unknown Poland beating 15 world’s greatest Arabian racehorses astonished everyone and thriller his homeland. Hearing Polish National Anthem at Longchamp was one of a kind moment.
