RAMZY AL DUHAMI TRIUMPHS IN TÉTOUAN – MOROCCO ROYAL TOUR 2025
The Morocco Royal Tour experienced its first major highlight this Friday with the CSI4*-W 1.50m, a competition counting towards the world ranking and serving as a qualifier for Sunday’s Grand Prix.
A Technical Course Designed by Cédric Longis
Designed by Cédric Longis, the course tested the riders’ technical skills and responsiveness.
“It’s a fairly square track with excellent footing and an extraordinary atmosphere. For me, this is a perfect competition. The sporting level in Tétouan is quite mixed: some riders are with top horses, others with horses in training, and some are experiencing this level for the first time. It’s not easy to accommodate all of that,” explained Longis.
“The goal was to create a course accessible to everyone. Today’s ranking is the only qualifier for Sunday’s Grand Prix, and for many horses, it’s their first round of the tour. So it’s a warm-up course: fairly open, technical but not difficult, which requires riders to gallop and feel their horse. It also allows me to observe how the footing and equipment respond, to best prepare for the Grand Prix.”
Ramzy Al Duhami won with Untouchable 32, the mare he rode at the last Olympic Games, in front of the packed stands at the Garde Royale in Tétouan. Already impressive earlier in the day with a 5th place in the 4* competition with High Quality J, he confirmed his form by delivering a faultless and ultra-fast round in 65.20 seconds in the Grand Prix qualifier.
“It was a great test to start the tour,” said Al Duhami. “We had a plan, and everything went as expected. Untouchable 32 was in top form and will likely compete in Sunday’s Grand Prix. I know she’s not the fastest mare, but I was able to gain time by taking out strides on the turns. She has improved a lot and is in excellent condition. We hope for a challenging Grand Prix because she loves to jump big, and we aim to reach the podium again.”
Italian rider Emanuele Gaudiano took second place with Crack Balou in 65.34 seconds, while French rider Alix Ragot completed the podium with Qh Sole Mio Santo Antonio in 65.85 seconds.
CSI4*-W 1.40 m – Prix Sadia El Hamra Won by Jérémy Le Roy
Earlier in the day, the CSI4*-W 1.40 m – Prix Sadia El Hamra kicked off the competition. The victory went to Jérémy Le Roy aboard Falkira de Mormoulins, delivering a precise and fast round. Rhys Williams on Conthanja finished second, ahead of Alix Ragot with Gold Sky de Pégase.
Three Moroccan Riders Shine in the Prix de Zouada
The Prix de Zouada once again celebrated Moroccan riders. Jad Guerraoui won aboard Gloria de Kreisker, Badr Khiati took second with Iggy Pop d’Asschaut, and Lilia Cherkaoui finished third with Evarado, resulting in an all-Moroccan podium.
CSI1* 1.35 m – Prix des Forces Armées Royales Closes the Day
The day concluded with the CSI1* 1.35 m – Prix des Forces Armées Royales, won by Florent Jeannin on Chica de Bourguignon Z. Farid Amanzar claimed second place with Elvis Van Overis Z, while Abdelmoghit Adnas with Shakaponk du Fleuve Z shared third place with Youssef Salmeron riding Quint V/D Kruishoeve.
--ENDS--
Photo by MRT/Morgan Froment
RESULTS:
CSI4*-W (1m40) - Prix Sadia El Hamra
1) Jeremy Le Roy et Falkira de Mormoulins
2) Rhys Williams et Conthanja
3) Alix Ragot et Gold Sky de Pegase
CSI1* (1m25) - Prix de Zouada
1) Jad Guerraoui et Gloria de Kreisker
2) Badr Khiati et Iggy Pop d’Asschaut
3) Lilia Cherkaoui et Evarado
CSI4*-W (1m50) LR - Prix de la Marche Verte
1) Ramzy Al Duhami et Untouchable 32
2) Emanuele Gaudiano et Crack Balou
3) Alix Ragot et Qh Sole Mio Santo Antonio
CSI1* (1m35) - Prix des Forces Armées Royales
1) Florent Jeannin et Chica de Bourguignon Z
2) Farid Amanzar et Elvis Van Overis Z
3) Abdelmoghit Adnas et Shakaponk du Fleuve Z equally ranked with Youssef Salmeron et Quint V/D Kruishoeve