Al Shaqab's French-based Group 1-winning fillies Qemah (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) and Jemayel (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), both trained by Jean-Claude Rouget, could be seen on British soil this summer for the G1 Tattersalls 250th Year Falmouth S. at Newmarket July 8 or the G1 Qatar Nassau S. at Goodwood July 30.
Qemah made a successful foray across the English Channel last week when lifting Royal Ascot's G1 Coronation S., and Al Shaqab's Racing Advisor Harry Herbert said of her, “Qemah has come out of Royal Ascot very well. There have been no plans as yet about where she will run next. I suspect Jean-Claude will keep her to a mile, but she is in the Qatar Nassau S. [just short of 10 furlongs] just so we have options. A race like the Falmouth might be more likely if it does not come too soon.”
Jemayel posted a first Group 1 win in the Prix Saint-Alary Apr. 24 and was 10th, albeit beaten just 3 1/2 lengths, in the G1 Prix de Diane last weekend.
“I think Jemayel would have been closer in the Prix de Diane as it was a rough race,” Herbert noted. “The start did not go to plan really and then she was quite badly squeezed just as she was making a nice move. It was a satisfactory run under the circumstances.”
He added, “She may just be off the very top level but she is a Group 1 winner and there are not too many options for her. I would guess that she is quite a likely runner [in the Nassau].”
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
