By Azadi out of Group 1 PA heroine Ocyrrhoe, ARTEMIS, a 5-year-old mare born and bred at the Haras de Gouffern, has once again proved to be a top performer among the best horses in competition this year. On May 22^nd at Toulouse, Elisabeth Bernard’s charge made a victorious reappearance in the Qatar Prix de l’Elevage (Gr.2 PA) while at the beginning of July in La Teste, she had to admit defeat in the Criterium des Pouliches (Gr.2 PA), finishing a good 3rd behind Group 1 PA winners Mon’nia and Lady Princess. Two months later, on the occasion of the Arc Trials at ParisLongchamp, the Al Shahania representative lined up against the males in the Qatar Cup – Prix Dragon (Gr.1 PA). At the conclusion of an epic straight line, Artemis only found multiple Group 1 PA winner Ebraz too good and finished 2^nd beaten a head. The mighty daughter of Ocyrrhoe should now campaign in the Middle East.

After health problems that kept him away from the racecourses for seven months, JARIF, a 5-year-old male by top sire Dahess out of Champion mare Kiss de Ghazal, showed he was back in form when landing the UAE President Cup at Duindigt (Netherlands) in great style. At the age of 3, Elisabeth Bernard’s protégé, owned by Sheikh Haif Al Ghatani and the Haras de Gouffern, was placed 2nd in the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Poulains (Gr.1 PA) at Saint-Cloud, on his second outing only.

His own brother ARION, a year younger, made his competition debut this year at 4. Since April, the son of Dahess has taken part in seven events, winning twice and placing three times. In June, after a very promising 2^nd place at La Teste, his connection directed him to a Group 2 PA in Milan, the Premio Milano UAE President Cup, in which he finished a respectable 3^rd. The following month, Elisabeth Bernard’s charge headed to Belgium where he won with authority the IFAHR Cup (Listed PA) in Ostend, thereby gleaning precious black type, essential to his maternal pedigree. Less than a month later, on August 2^nd, Arion returned to the Belgian racecourse to snap up the President of UAE Cup (Gr.3 PA). On September 11^th, the Sheikh Haif Al Ghatani and Haras de Gouffern’s owned colt was once again placed 2^nd to Abbes in the President of the UAE Cup (Gr.1 PA) at Doncaster.

On October 4^th, Jarif and Arion’s little sister HAZAL made her first steps in competition in the Prix Magnésie at Toulouse. Having taken a quick start on the line, the 3yo filly trained by Elisabeth Bernard behaved very well throughout the course, evolving on the rope side in the wake of the leaders. Halfway along the right-hand line, remaining locked along the rail, she was only able to put her speed to good use at a late stage and finished second, only a nose behind the experienced Thi Qar. A performance that bodes well for a good season at 4.