Mehmas 3yo Afandy impressive in Djebel win for Al Shaqab

A strong start to the European Turf Flat season for Mehmas continued on Tuesday as Afandy ran out the authoritative winner of the Group 3 Prix Djebel at Deauville for owner-breeder Al Shaqab Racing and trainer Jean-Claude Rouget.

A winner at Tarbes and Cagnes-Sur-Mer before succumbing by only a head in the Listed Prix de la Californie, Afandy made all in the hands of Cristian Demuro to win by nearly two lengths from Samangan.

“I thought he was a good horse two runs ago and last time the ground was too heavy and he has a lot of speed,” Demuro told reporters. “He's proven he's a good horse today with a good turn of foot. The logical race is the Prix Jean Prat back here in July, but the trainer and owners will work out where he goes.”

The first foal out of Jawla, a Shaala relation to Grade 1 winner Zagora, Afandy becomes the 48th stakes winner for Mehmas.

Mehmas also got off the mark with his 2yos for the season on Sunday when Wait Geordie scored at Bath for Hugo Palmer. Just for good measure, Mehmas was also damsire of the runner-up Dowman.