Horse Profile: Al Qudra

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Scouting Report

(Editor's note: Originally published in the 2024 BRISnet Breeders' Cup International Report)

Appleby’s other contender, Al Qudra, is a hardened veteran with a six-race campaign that began back in mid-April. Considering that he’d beaten New Century twice before the checkered passage in the Summer (G1), Al Qudra could claim the chance to rebound – unless New Century has progressed beyond him at this point. That’s the main question about the otherwise solid Godolphin entrant. 

A $539,000 Tattersalls October yearling, Al Qudra is by No Nay Never. His dam, the Holy Roman Emperor mare Piece of Paradise, scored her stakes win in the five-furlong Harry Rosebery S. at Ayr as a juvenile. 

Al Qudra took three tries to break his maiden, but he shaped with promise in both five-furlong outings at Newmarket. Fourth on debut, when he got unbalanced in the “Dip,” he righted himself to finish fastest in :21.96. He coped with the track better next time, finishing third in a novice after breaking a beat slow and just needing an extra furlong. Al Qudra promptly scored over six furlongs at Lingfield, where he was posted wide throughout but traveled strongly and kicked clear on the Polytrack. Finishing second was the future Ripon Champion Two-Year-Old Trophy scorer Soldier’s Heart, and more notable was the eye-catching fourth, New Century. 

Up in class for the Coventry (G2) at Royal Ascot, Al Qudra was beaten a grand total of a length in fifth. He appeared to be in a good position, only to get shuffled back in the big field, and kept on again as though he wanted further. Although the Coventry form overall is a mixed bag, the 80-1 winner Rashabar has validated it with honorable seconds in the Prix Morny (G1) and Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (G1). 

Godolphin jockey William Buick critiqued his Coventry ride, wishing he’d ridden Al Qudra more aggressively. He did so to great effect back at Ascot in the seven-furlong Pat Eddery S. New Century chased and challenged, but Al Qudra shrugged him off by 2 1/4 lengths. 

Appleby confirmed that Al Qudra, with his experience, was the right type to point for the Breeders’ Cup. The one-mile Summer at Woodbine was his stepping stone of choice, but he was foiled by familiar rival New Century. Not quick out of the gate and further behind than might have been envisioned, he rallied, only to suffer the worst of the interference from the drifting Dream On. Al Qudra got bounced around more between New Century and Dream On, contributing to his 1 1/4-length margin of defeat.

If Al Qudra finds himself in a similarly unpromising position at Del Mar, he might find it harder to close than he did around a spacious Woodbine. His best results at home came when he took up a forward spot early on.