Aaneef Zakhir lands Dibal Cup
Doha – Mdmar – Mohamed Saad
Photos by – juhim
The Dibal Race Meeting was held on dirt at Al Rayyan on Monday, 16 March and featured an eight-race programme highlighted by competitive contests and several decisive performances across the card. Across the eight races, the winners in order were Jungle Monarch surging clear for a second consecutive victory, Afor Alghania bursting away to break his maiden decisively, Lucia Molly finishing strongly to get off the mark at the tenth attempt, Awaayid sweeping clear to record back-to-back wins, King Albahar storming back to winning ways in dominant fashion, El Ghazi bouncing back with a determined success, Mared Al Jasra making all to land an open race and Aaneef Zakhir returning to winning ways in the feature Dibal Cup.
Saad Ali Al Kubaisi, Deputy Director of the QREC Registration & Studbook Department, presented the Dibal Cup following the day’s final and feature race.
Aaneef Zakhir returns to winning ways the day’s feature
Aaneef Zakhir (Djendel x Gharnata) captured Race 8, the Dibal Cup, a Local Purebred Arabian Handicap (70–90) over 1900m (Class 3) for 4yo+, with 10 runners in contention. The 6-year-old bay horse, representing the colours of Osama Omer Al-Dafea who also trains the winner, was partnered by Arnaud de Lepine and returned to winning ways with a determined display, notching his third success of the season by a length.
Aaneef Zakhir was settled towards the rear shortly after the start as Khaled Al Shahania (Assy) established the early lead and continued to dictate the pace through the early and middle stages. Bakir (Amer) and Burkan Zakhir (La Hoor) tracked the leader closely throughout, forming the main chasing group as the field travelled down the back. Approaching the final bend, Aaneef Zakhir began to improve gradually and, once in the straight, he continued to build momentum to move into third behind Bakir and Khaled Al Shahania, with Amersun (Amer) also finishing strongly from behind to join the leading pack. Inside the final 200m Aaneef Zakhir dug deep to strike the front and quickly established a narrow advantage. Bakir continued to press in pursuit, but the leader responded gamely under pressure and maintained his edge to the line. Bakir, representing Mubarak Ali Al-Nuaimi and trained by Hamad Al-Jehani, stayed on under Alberto Sanna to take second, finishing one and three-quarter lengths clear of Amersun, who kept on for Wathnan Racing, trainer Alban de Mieulle and jockey Youssef Lachhab to complete the placings.
Jungle Monarch surges clear for back-to-back success
Jungle Monarch (Bungle Inthejungle x Lady Spangles) took Race 1, the Thoroughbred Handicap (45–65) over 1700m (Class 6) for 3yo+ and 13 runners. The 3-year-old bay gelding, carrying the colours of HE Mansoor bin Ebrahim Al-Mahmoud, from the yard of Gassim Al Ghazali and partnered by Marco Casamento, recorded his second consecutive victory on his eighth career start, following his breakthrough success during the HH The Amir Sword Festival in February, drawing clear to score by 3¾ lengths from a wide draw in barrier 10.
Breaking from the outside stall (no. 10), Jungle Monarch settled in midfield while Zero Mostel (No Nay Never) initially set the pace before Noo Point (Blue Point) briefly assumed the lead. Soon after, Maraaheb (Sottsass) moved forward to dictate the tempo through the early and middle stages, with those three remaining prominent as the order at the head of affairs stayed largely unchanged. Approaching the final turn, Jungle Monarch began to improve his position and swept into third around the bend, travelling strongly as the field straightened up for home. In the home straight, he continued to build momentum, advancing into second before producing a decisive burst passing the 200m. Finding extra when asked, he dug deep and quickly put daylight between himself and the field, stretching clear with every stride to seal a comfortable victory. Razoni (Lope De Vega), representing Salmeen bin Abdulla Al-Jabri and prepared by Mohammed Al Ghazali, stayed on under Soufiane Saadi to take second, just a neck ahead of Zero Mostel, who kept on for third for his owner-trainer Khalid Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari under Salman Fahad Al-Hajri.
Afor Alghania bursts clear to break maiden
Afor Alghania (Gazwan x Al Mubdiaa) took Race 2, the Local Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate over 1200m (Class 6) for 4–7yos attracting 13 runners. The 5-year-old bay gelding, racing for Al Meqdam Racing, under the care of Maayouf bin Hashim Al-Shamari and guided by Salman Fahad Al-Hajri, shed his maiden tag on his fourth career start after finishing third two last times, drawing well clear to score by six lengths from barrier 4.
Breaking sharply, Afor Alghania immediately went forward to lead ahead of Thaar (La Hoor) and Hdeedan (Mu’azzaz). Shortly after, Ra’ad Zakhir (AF AlBahar) advanced to assume control, with Afor Alghania easing into third to obtain cover as the order at the front stabilised through the early and middle stages. Once in the home straight, Afor Alghania unleashed a sharp turn of foot to surge past the leaders and strike the front. By the 300m marker he had already opened a commanding advantage and through the final 200m he continued to extend that margin, powering away for a decisive and comfortable victory. Al Molheb Zakhir (Meghwaar), representing Hassan bin Ali Hassan Al Matwi and prepared by Mohammed Hassan Al Matwi, stayed on from midfield under Alberto Sanna to take second, finishing half a length ahead of Hdeedan, who kept on well for Saeed bin Mubarak Saeed Aljafali Al Naimi, trainer Ahmed Kobeissi and jockey Mohammed Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik.
Lucia Molly finishes strongly to break maiden
Lucia Molly (Profitable x Galeaza) won Race 3, a Thoroughbred Maiden Plate over 1200m (Class 6) for 3–7yos, with a field of 12. The 3-year-old chestnut filly, representing Al Thumama Racing, trained by Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki and ridden by Saleh Salem Al-Marri, finally got off the mark on her 10th career start, having previously finished placed in seven races, asserting late to score by one and a half lengths.
Lucia Molly settled in fifth tracking the leaders through the early and middle stages as Mockirr (Tasleet) dictated the tempo and even turned for home still in front. He was closely pursued throughout by Breakout Star (Oasis Dream), Pour La Vie (Time Test) and eventually Fine Art Dealer (Blue Point), who loomed as a serious challenger entering the straight. With 300m remaining, the race appeared set to develop into a duel between Mockirr and Fine Art Dealer. However, Lucia Molly had been progressing quietly behind them and soon emerged into third before producing a sharp burst of speed. Inside the final 100m she quickened impressively to sweep past the leading pair, establishing a decisive advantage to the line. Fine Art Dealer, racing for Ahmed Hassan Al Malki Al Jehani and saddled by Hamad Al-Jehani, stayed on under Arnaud de Lepine to take second, finishing two lengths ahead of Mockirr, who held third for Al Jasra Stud, trainer Abdulla Al-Mulla and jockey Alberto Sanna.
Awaayid sweeps clear for back-to-back victories
Awaayid (Tribal Beat x Al Bidah) captured Race 4, the Local Thoroughbred Handicap (0–55) over 1900m (Class 5) for 3yo+, where 11 runners lined up. The 6-year-old bay mare, carrying the colours of Al Wakra Racing, prepared by Zuhair Mohsen and partnered by Faleh Bughenaim, recorded her second consecutive success, drawing clear to score by four lengths despite a wide draw in barrier 9.
Breaking well from the outside stall, Awaayid settled in third tracking Royalty (Migwar) and Nooran (Noor Al Hawa), who exchanged the early lead through the opening and middle stages. Approaching the third and penultimate turn, Nooran pressed on to secure the advantage with Awaayid moving closer in second while Abr Al Bahr (Vedevani), who had travelled in midfield, began to close the gap approaching the final turn. Straightening for home, the trio contested the lead in the early part of the straight, but Awaayid soon appeared to have more to offer. Around 250m from the line, she found extra and swept past her rivals, quickly opening daylight and powering away for a clear-cut victory. Nooran, racing for Wael Nassan Barazi and prepared by Owaida Salem Al Hajri, finished second under Soufiane Saadi, just a head ahead of Abr Al Bahr, who stayed on strongly for Fahad Salem Al-Hajri, trainer Mohammed Hassan Al Matwi and jockey Salman Fahad Al-Hajri.
King Albahar storms back to winning ways
King Albahar (AF AlBahar x Bint Al Shamaal) won Race 5, the Purebred Arabian Handicap (55–75) over 1200m (Class 5) for 4yo+, contested by 10 runners. The 7-year-old bay horse, racing in the colours of Ahmed Mohammed Al-Hajri, trained by Dr. Fahad Salman Al-Hajri and guided by Szczepan Mazur, returned to winning form after finishing placed in his previous two outings, registering his first success since the 2022/23 season on his seventh start of the current campaign to score by 5½ lengths despite a wide draw in barrier 10.
Breaking from the outside stall, King Albahar settled prominently, racing in third and then second through the early stages behind Damaah (AF AlBahar) and Sultanat (Dahess), with Husam Al Shahania (Munjiz) tracking just behind. Passing the first bend, he moved forward to take the lead, with Damaah pressing in pursuit ahead of Husam Al Shahania as the pace remained strong. Entering the home straight, Damaah briefly regained the advantage and the pair locked together for a short duel. However, King Albahar soon proved the stronger, responding decisively to regain control passing the 300m marker before kicking clear of his rivals. The margin widened rapidly in the closing stages and he was eased down under hands and heels riding approaching the line, completing a commanding success. Damaah, representing Abdulaziz Saleh Al Jaber and prepared by Hadi Al Ramzani, stayed on under Arnaud de Lepine to take second, two lengths ahead of Husam Al Shahania, who finished third for Hassan bin Ali Hassan Al Matwi, trainer Mohammed Hassan Al Matwi and jockey Salman Fahad Al-Hajri.
El Ghazi bounces back in determined fashion
El Ghazi (Gazwan x Forgehill Chamille) captured Race 6, the Purebred Arabian Handicap (65–85) over 1900m (Class 4) for 4yo+, drawing a line-up of 10 runners. The 5-year-old grey horse, carrying the colours of HE Mansoor bin Ebrahim Al-Mahmoud and under the care of Gassim Al Ghazali, was partnered by Faleh Bughenaim and returned to winning ways on his sixth start of the season, putting five disappointing efforts behind him to rediscover the form that closed his previous campaign, registering the third success of his career by a length and a half and completing a double on the day for his trainer and his jockey.
Breaking smartly from the widest draw, El Ghazi settled close to the pace as Saqr (Dahess) set the early tempo ahead of Maarek (Manark) and Ghanem (Tabarak). Midway through the race he began to press forward, moving into second before quickly overtaking the leader to assume control and open a useful advantage. Once in front he continued to dictate the contest, with Saqr and Al Mustafiz (Assy) giving chase while Maarek tracked them in fourth. Approaching the final bend, the challengers began to close in, particularly Al Mustafiz and Maarek, who both launched their bids as the field straightened for home. Inside the final 300m Maarek looked poised to threaten seriously, but El Ghazi responded gamely under pressure and found more when required, holding his pursuers safely at bay to secure the victory. Maarek, representing Suhaim Mohammed Salama Ashour and trained by Jihad El Ahmad, finished second under Damien Morin, three lengths ahead of Al Mustafiz, who kept on for Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari, trainer Hamad Al-Jehani and jockey Alberto Sanna.
Mared Al Jasra makes all in commanding fashion
Mared Al Jasra (Mared Al Sahra x Alghasa) took the penultimate race on the card, the Purebred Arabian Open Race over 1900m (Class 2) for 5yo+, run with a small but select field of six. The 6-year-old grey horse, carrying the colours of Al Ghazali Stud and trained by Gassim Al Ghazali, was partnered by Faleh Bughenaim and recorded his second consecutive success, completing a quick-fire double for both trainer and jockey while also providing them with their third victory on the evening, scoring by 1¼ lengths from barrier 4.
Breaking sharply, Mared Al Jasra wasted no time in taking command as the start was effected and quickly established himself at the head of affairs. He was chased in the early stages by Salwa (Kalino) and Burkan (Al Mourtajez), while in the middle stages Hadi De Carrere (Nieshan) emerged as the principal challenger, repeatedly exchanging second place with Burkan as they attempted to keep the leader within reach. Turning for home, the pursuers were still trying to close the gap, but inside the final 300m Mared Al Jasra quickened impressively and began to draw clear. Hadi De Carrere responded in pursuit and the pair soon swept well clear of the remainder of the field. Despite strong pressure from the runner-up, Mared Al Jasra maintained his advantage all the way to the line to complete a pillar-to-post success. Hadi De Carrere, the hot favourite representing Sheikh Ahmad bin Mohamed bin Faleh Al-Thani and also from the Gassim Al Ghazali yard, stayed on under Marco Casamento to secure second, a remarkable 8¾ lengths ahead of Sha’alan (Amer), who finished best of the rest for Al Ghazali Stud, trainer Mohammed Al Ghazali and jockey Damien Morin.
