Iconic Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend gets underway at Saint…

Doha, Qatar: The opening card of the iconic Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend springs into life today at Saint-Cloud Racecourse, headlined by a pair of premier Group 1 PA features for three-year-old Purebred Arabians under the enduring sponsorship of the Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club (QREC).

Contested over a gruelling 2000-metre test, the twin highlight, the Gr.1 PA Qatar Arabian Trophy des Poulains for colts and the Gr.1 PA Qatar Arabian Trophy des Pouliches for fillies, will decide Europe’s standout classic prospects. The colts take centre stage first at 3:18 pm (Qatar time), followed by the fillies’ division at 4:28 pm (Qatar time). Both turf features will be broadcast live across Al Kass TV with real-time digital coverage provided via QREC’s official social media platforms.

Today’s double-header follows an unforgettable 2025 renewal that saw Qatari owners and breeders sweep both top-tier divisions. The Poulains crown was captured by the Al Wasmiyah Racing homebred Laffan (Af Al Buraq), trained by François Rohaut and delivered under a masterclass drive from Maxime Guyon. Rohaut subsequently completed a notable trainer’s double in the Pouliches, guiding the Al Shaqab Racing homebred Subahiyah (Mahabb) to classic victory under an equally accomplished ride from Christophe Soumillon, leading home a memorable 1-2-3 for the silks ahead of fellow Al Shaqab representatives Amjaad (Azadi) and El Bnoud (Azadi). cricket-info.homes

Top-calibre colts clash in Poulains

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A competitive line-up of nine classic colts will line up for the 2000-metre test, led by prominent entries.

Trainer Thomas Fourcy dispatches a powerful three-pronged attack into the contest. Msaieed (Azadi) spearheads the challenge for Al Shaqab Racing, with Fourcy entrusting the ride to Jean-Bernard Eyquem. The stable also conditions Zahim (Al Mamun Monlau) for HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani, who will be ridden by Ioritz Mendizabal. The trio is completed by Haras Du Grand Courgeon’s Madison Boy (Dahor De Brugere), who has Alexis Pouchin in the saddle.

François Rohaut, seeking to build upon his impressive record in the division, saddles two high-calibre contenders. Neuf De Faust (Mister Ginoux) represents Sheikh Saad Al Mukhaini Bahwan under Christophe Soumillon, whilst Al Wasmiyah Racing’s Almoshahar (AF Albahar) will be guided by Pierre-Charles Boudot.

The auction delivered a spirited opening to the prestigious meeting.

Trainer Xavier Thomas-Demeaulte likewise fields a formidable trio. He saddles Kambell De Ghazal (Gazwan) for Helal Alalawi, partnered by Cristian Demuro; Spareo (Dahess) for Al Leith Racing, teamed with Guillaume Guedj-Gay; and Jouhari Grine (AF Albahar) for owner Hamed Khadim Butti Alhamid, under Marvin Grandin.

Mrs Jean-Francois Bernard completes the line-up with Eljas Du Bienn (Muntaser Al Khalediah), who carries the colours of Hamed Khadim Butti Alhamid and will be partnered by Antoine Werle.

High-class fillies line up in Pouliches

Attracting top-tier three-year-old talent, the 2000-metre test for fillies has drawn a competitive 13-runner field.

Trainer Xavier Thomas-Demeaulte fields a major six-runner squad into the classic. His challenge includes Al Shaqab Racing’s Balsam (Mister Ginoux), who will be ridden by Pierre-Charles Boudot, alongside Alkaydah (AF Albahar) for Al Wasmiyah Racing under Maxime Guyon. He also conditions Ayla (Al Mourtajez) for Emadadein Alhtoushi with Christophe Soumillon aboard, while owner Renee-Laure Koch is doubly represented by Neila Al Maury (AF Albahar) under Guillaume Guedj-Gay and Si Chic Al Maury (Manark) with Mickael Barzalona. The Demeaulte contingent is completed by Narbonne (AF Albahar) for Yas Horse Racing Management, partnered by Marvin Grandin.

Thomas Fourcy saddles two prominent contenders, running Tiswahum (Al Mamun Monlau) for Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari under Alexis Pouchin, alongside Al Shaqab Racing’s Al Samsamah (AF Albahar), who has Jean-Bernard Eyquem in the saddle.

François Rohaut relies on a twin assault, saddling Mneera (Al Mouwaffak) for Al Shaqab Racing under Faleh Bughenaim and Almaha (Al Mourtajez) for Sahaab Stables Slu with Stephane Pasquier taking the ride. Jean-Francois Bernard enters two fillies in the test, saddling Lella De La Gloire (Al Mourtajez) for Mohammed Alhuzami under Mickael Forest, as well as Yas Horse Racing Management’s Netra De Faust (AF Albahar), who will be ridden by Cristian Demuro.

Rounding off the field, David Morisson sends out SS Lora (AF Albahar) for Ahmad Saeed Almazrouei, with Aurelien Lemaitre booked for the mount.

Arqana Sale sets tone for flagship weekend

Commercial activity at Saint-Cloud took centre stage yesterday with the renewal of the Arqana Purebred Arabian Horse Sale, which assembled a distinguished international gathering alongside an official QREC delegation. Staged on the eve of three consecutive days of top-flight racin, moving from Saint-Cloud today to ParisLongchamp for the weekend, the auction delivered a spirited opening to the meeting.

The catalogue presented 89 total lots, comprising 56 two-year-olds, six yearlings, 16 horses in training (featuring five wildcard additions), and 11 breeding prospects. High demand throughout the session drove buoyant commercial trade and an excellent clearance rate across all divisions.

Held in conjunction with Qatar’s wider sponsorship of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, the sale underlines QREC’s enduring mission to champion Purebred Arabian racing on the world stage.

Cape Town: India will meet defending champions Australia and bitter rivals Pakistan in their first two matches at the 2027 Cricket World Cup, the International Cricket Council announced on Thursday.

The India-Australia match, a repeat of the 2023 final, will be in Cape Town on October 7 and the India-Pakistan clash will take place in Johannesburg three days later.
The tournament, hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, will start on October 2 and the final will be played on November 27.

The group match between India and Pakistan will be played at the Wanderers Stadium, the tournament's biggest venue and tickets are almost certain to be in high demand.

Co-hosts Zimbabwe, Afghanistan and a qualifier will be the other teams in Group A.

Zimbabwe will play all of their group matches at home, with two matches in Bulawayo, two in Harare and the last fixture in the group against India at Victoria Falls.

Main hosts South Africa will play their first match in Group B against New Zealand in Cape Town on October 9, a day after England play the opening match in the group against Bangladesh in Windhoek, Namibia.

England will meet two of their main rivals in the group in Gqeberha. They will play South Africa on October 16 and New Zealand on October 23.
Also in Group B will be Sri Lanka and a qualifier.

Star India batsman Virat Kohli, 37, said in a televised interview at the launch in Cape Town that it would be his last World Cup.

He said that the intensity of a World Cup was like nothing else in cricket.

"To maintain that intensity for 10 games takes a lot out of you in foreign conditions. It's the last World Cup I am going to play for India and my motivation is to leave everything out there," said Kohli.

Australian captain Pat Cummins said of the opening match: "Anytime you play India, you feel there are a billion people watching.

"It's going to be great. I still get called up all the time about that 2023 final and they'll be up for revenge."

After a preliminary round to eliminate two of the three lowest-ranked teams, 12 teams will be split into two groups for round-robin matches before the top three in each group, and the best fourth-placed team, qualify for a Super Seven phase, followed by semi-finals and the final.

Because of political tensions between the two countries, India and Pakistan have only played each other in ICC events since Pakistan toured India for three one-day internationals and two Twenty20 internationals in December 2012.

The rivalry is intense despite India having won all eight matches against Pakistan in Cricket World Cups and eight out of nine in T20 World Cups.

Sepang, Malaysia: Max Verstappen chose to go his own way on Friday when he rejected using soft tyres to embark on a long run on mediums in fear of rain in second practice at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.

His decision resulted in him finishing fourth fastest behind Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and his Red Bull teammate Isack Hadjar, but he gained valuable data and insight into conditions that were close to those expected for Sunday's race.

"I think we had a decent start, but it's tricky," said the four-time world champion, who won the last Formula One race at the Sepang International Circuit in 2017 and topped the times on softs in opening practice.

"The track is really hot. A lot of degradation, so a lot of things to figure out, but it's been positive.

"I wanted to do a long run in case there was some rain coming in. It's hard to know if we made progress, but there are a lot of things to try and to understand."

The abrasive conditions on the low-grip circuit in sweltering conditions -- with a track temperature of more than 60C -- have led to forecasts of a three-stop race on Sunday.

McLaren's Oscar Piastri, who was sixth, said he had been impressed by Red Bull's opening day pace.

"It looks pretty close amongst the top four teams," he said.

"I think Red Bull have looked very strong through the day. Mercedes as well have looked strong, at points, and obviously Ferrari were pretty good.

"Everyone's kind of had their turn being reasonably competitive. I think we're maybe a tiny step behind, but we made a lot of progress from FP1.

"Hopefully, we can keep that trend going -- and we'll see where we end up."

On a relatively inconclusive day, with teams diverging on planned run programmes, Mercedes' George Russell and championship leader

Kimi Antonelli were seventh and eighth in their heavily updated cars.

"I think at the moment that Verstappen is looking the quickest in a single lap and McLaren are looking quickest on the long runs," said Russell.

He added that it was difficult to judge the success of Mercedes upgrades to the floor, sidepods and rear suspension.

"When you bring an upgrade to any circuit, it's difficult to know what your pure performance is and what it isn't," he said.

"If we had our new car last week, we would have said things were absolutely incredible, but if we had our old version today, I don't think it would have been much different."

London: The English Football Association said on Friday that an independent commission's findings that Manchester City had broken financial rules had "implications for the integrity of the game".

The national governing body said in a statement that it was "carefully considering the decision and its implications" and would take action where appropriate.

"As proceedings between the Premier League and Manchester City Football Club remain ongoing, we do not intend to comment further at this stage," the FA added. "We will, however, continue to monitor developments closely."

Stockholm: World and Olympic pole vault champion Armand Duplantis said on Friday that he would skip the 2027 indoor athletics season, including the European championships in Valencia, to rest and prepare for the outdoor season.

"I'm making this decision to give my body the recovery and preparation it needs, so that I can perform at my best when I return to competition," the 26-year-old US-born Swede said in a statement.