Aeon’s Aegis storms clear in Thoroughbred Derby Trial
Mdmar – Doha – Mohamed Saad
Photo Juhaim
The Derby Trials Day was held on turf at Al Uqda Racecourse on Thursday, 27 November, featuring a nine-race card that delivered a series of standout moments across both Purebred Arabian and Thoroughbred divisions. The programme produced several eye-catching performances, with Hay’er Al Shahania, Dhariya, Keheilah Al Sakab, Best Way, Chdia, Blessed Star, Zah’ran Al Shahania, Mureb and Aeon’s Aegis all asserting their quality in their respective trials; the latter bringing the curtain down with a brilliant, commanding victory.
Aeon’s Aegis dominates with explosive late surge
*“mdmar” website for horse racing and equestrian News
Aeon’s Aegis (Not This Time x Athena’s Aegis) closed the card in emphatic fashion, producing a commanding performance to secure his second victory from three starts this campaign in the Thoroughbred Derby Trial for 3YOs over 2100m (Class 2), contested by six runners. Carrying the colours of Sheikh Abdul Rahman bin Rashid Al-Thani, the gelding delivered a powerful display for trainer Mohammed Al Ghazali while Soufiane Saadi guided him with confidence to an impressive 5-length triumph, completing a quick-fire double for the jockey.
Dropped in at the rear, Aeon’s Aegis was ridden patiently as National Park (Dubawi), representing Hamad Meret Al-Hajri and prepared by Hamad Al-Jehani, set a steady gallop and opened up a clear advantage approaching the 900m mark. The order remained unchanged until the home turn where Aeon’s Aegis was asked to stretch out and immediately responded. Once Saadi shifted him into top gear, the gelding unleashed a sweeping run, effortlessly picking off his rivals one after another. He closed rapidly on the long-time leader in the final 200m before surging past and with 100m remaining Saadi released him fully, prompting a blistering turn of foot that settled the outcome in decisive style. National Park stayed on for second, finishing a length ahead of Zauberkonig (Teofilo), who represents Mubarak Ali Al-Nuaimi and is handled by Hamad Al-Jehani. Under a determined ride from Alberto Sanna, Zauberkonig produced a late flourish from off the pace to claim third.
Rashid Saed Adiba, Head of QREC Racing Operations Section, crowned the winners.
Hay’er Al Shahania finishes strongest
Hay’er Al Shahania (Harran x Enwa) produced a late and decisive burst to clinch the Local Purebred Arabian Derby Trial, Class 2, for 3YOs over 1400m, which drew a field of 11 runners. The grey colt, representing Mansoor Mesfer Al-Shahwani, is trained by Abdulla Mesfer Al-Shahwani and was guided to a ¾-length victory by Jefferson Smith, sealing his second career win alongside three placed efforts in six starts.
*“mdmar” website for horse racing and equestrian News
Breaking from barrier 6, Hay’er Al Shahania was kept towards the rear as Raqeeq (Mister Ginoux) dictated the early tempo. Approaching the first bend, Al Ghashem (Meghwaar) moved forward to take charge and held a commanding lead deep into the contest. However, the race complexion shifted sharply inside the final 200m when Hay’er Al Shahania, running in the same silks as the long-time leader, unleashed a powerful late surge from off the pace, sweeping past his rivals in the final strides to land the spoils impressively. Al Ghashem, owned and trained by Mansoor Mesfer Al-Shahwani and ridden by Faleh Bughenaim, kept on resolutely to complete a one-two for the owner. Maadi Alseej (Yazeed), trained by Jassim Hamad Al-Atteya for owner Khalid Hamad Al-Atteya and ridden by Alberto Sanna, finished strongly from off the pace to take third, half a length behind the runner-up.
Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi, QREC Racing Manager, crowned the winners.
Dhariya stays unbeaten with determined late drive
Dhariya (Al Mouwaffak x Ajdabya) extended her perfect local record with a resolute display in the Purebred Arabian Derby Trial for 3YOs over 1400m (Class 2), which featured a field of 12 runners. The grey filly, representing Al Shaqab Racing, was saddled by Jean de Mieulle and partnered by Faleh Bughenaim, who steered her to a hard-fought ½-length victory on just her third career start.
Breaking from barrier 9, Dhariya was positioned in fifth, travelling close to the leading pack headed early by Ruba (Hilal Al Zaman), with Alzabyr (Alsaker) always prominent in second. The order remained steady until the home straight, where Alzabyr swept to the front and briefly looked the likely winner. However, Dhariya soon loomed large on his outside, unleashing a powerful surge in the final strides to sweep past and score with authority. Taftan (AF Al Buraq), representing Ahmed Hassan Al Malki Al Jehani and trained by Hamad Al-Jehani under Daniel Tudhope, kept on well for second to complete a tight three-way finish, with just half a length and a nose separating the first three home. Behind the winner and the runner-up, Dabida (Divamer), trained by Alban de Mieulle for Wathnan Racing and ridden by Soufiane Saadi, finished strongly from a rear-midfield position to take third by only a nose from Taftan.
Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi, QREC Racing Manager, presented the trophies to the winners.
Keheilah Al Sakab stamps her class with authoritative display
*“mdmar” website for horse racing and equestrian News
Keheilah Al Sakab (AF AlBahar x Keheilah) produced a commanding display to land the Local Purebred Arabian Oaks Trial for 4YO fillies over 2100m (Class 2), which drew a field of 6 runners. The grey filly, representing Khalid Hamad Al-Atteya, is trained by Jassim Hamad Al-Atteya and was guided to an authoritative 3½-length victory by Alberto Sanna, extending her record to two wins and two seconds from four career starts.
Settled in third early on, Keheilah Al Sakab tracked the leading pair, Ibsharah Al Naif (AF AlBahar), who set the initial tempo, and Sidra (Arkan Al Naif), who briefly took over approaching the back straight. Always travelling comfortably, the eventual winner moved into second before the home turn and was poised to strike once the field straightened up. In the home stretch, Keheilah Al Sakab swept past Sidra with ease and asserted her superiority, drawing clear with every stride to seal an impressive success. Jalila Alghania (Al Mamun Monlau), owned by Sheikh Talal Nasser Al-Thani and trained by Hadi Al Ramzani under Marco Casamento, stayed on strongly from behind to finish a clear second. Ibsharah Al Naif, who had done the bulk of the early work for owner Hamad Mubarak Alnabit and trainer Owaida Salem Al Hajri under Salman Fahad Al-Hajri, kept on for third, though she finished four lengths behind the runner-up.
Saad Ali Al Kubaisi, Deputy Director of QREC Registration & Studbook Dept., honoured the winners.
Best Way seals impressive debut with late flourish
Best Way (Migwar x Rahibah) made a highly polished first appearance, clinching the Local Thoroughbred Trial for 3YOs over 1400m (Class 2) in a field of eight. The bay colt, representing Wathnan Racing, was saddled by Alban de Mieulle and delivered a composed, winning ride from James Doyle, securing a commanding two-length victory to retain the title for the same owner–trainer–jockey combination that landed it last year with War Boy (Migwar).
Jumping from barrier 5, Best Way was unhurried after a slightly slow beginning and took up the early position at the tail of the field. Up front, Holwah (Recoletos) dictated the pace with Air Force (Atlantic Air) and Ayash (Danadana) in close pursuit. Little changed until the approach to the home turn where Best Way began to make smooth progress, gradually creeping into contention as the field tightened. Entering the straight, Best Way quickened appreciably, gathering momentum with purpose before unleashing a decisive turn of foot that saw him sweep past his rivals in stylish fashion. Ayash, racing for Al Wasmiyah Farm and trained by Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki, kept on for second under Tomas Lukasek while Air Forc, representing and trained by the same connections of the winner and partnered by Soufiane Saad, finished third, 3¼ lengths behind the runner-up.
Rashid Saed Adiba, Head of QREC Racing Operations Section, awarded the winners.
Chdia powers home with dominant late run
*“mdmar” website for horse racing and equestrian News
Chdia (Al Mourtajez x Rkaya) delivered a strong staying performance to capture the Purebred Arabian Oaks Trial for 4YO fillies over 2100m (Class 2), contested by seven runners. Breaking from barrier 1, the bay filly, representing Wathnan Racing, trained by Alban de Mieulle and ridden by James Doyle, completed a quick-fire double for her connections and maintained their firm grip on the title, following last year’s win with Divana Chica (Majd Al Arab). She scored decisively by three lengths.
Settled towards the rear in the early stages, Chdia allowed the race to unfold ahead of her while stablemate Shakeemah Gold (Al Mamun Monlau) set a steady tempo, stretching several lengths clear. Close behind the leader travelled Intisar De Monlau, carrying the same colours, alongside Ghara (Azadi) while the overall order remained unchanged for much of the journey. Chdia began to make smooth headway before the home turn, gradually reeling in the leading trio. Once in the home straight, the three stablemates briefly contested the lead, but Chdia soon asserted, quickening past with authority. Her acceleration proved decisive, and her rivals were unable to match her sustained finishing effort. It was the perfect result for the connections, with Intisar De Monla, also owned by Wathnan Racing, trained by Alban de Mieulle and partnered by Soufiane Saad, finishing second. Ghara, representing Al Wasmiyah Farm under Hamad Al-Jehani with Lukas Delozier aboard, kept on for third, only a neck behind the runner-up.
Blessed Star breaks through with powerful late drive
*“mdmar” website for horse racing and equestrian News
Blessed Star (Sottsass x Roystonea) announced her arrival in style, shedding her maiden tag with a commanding victory in the Thoroughbred Oaks Trial for 3YO fillies over 2100m (Class 2), which featured a field of nine. Jumping from barrier 3, the bay filly—carrying the colours of Al Falah Stud—travelled sweetly through the journey before producing a determined late effort to score by 1¼ lengths. Her success also continued a fine run for trainer Hamad Al-Jehani, who secured this title for the second consecutive season following last year’s win with Warming (Too Darn Hot) while Pierre Charles Boudot steered her confidently to the line.
Blessed Star enjoyed a smooth passage throughout, always well positioned behind the early pace as the field sorted itself out. Turning for home, she loomed strongly and was soon engaged in a tight three-way tussle with Make Love (Make Believe) and Its All Peachy (Shaman), yet found extra in the final 100m to assert with authority and draw clear. Make Love, representing Sharida bin Nasser bin Sharida Al-Kaabi and handled by Mohammed Al Ghazali, kept on for second under Soufiane Saadi. Its All Peachy, racing in the colours of Al Jeryan Stud and conditioned by M.H.K Al Attiyah, stayed on admirably with Szczepan Mazur aboard to finish third, only a head behind the runner-up. Rashid Saed Adiba, Head of QREC Racing Operations Section, celebrated the winners’ success with the trophy presentation.
Zah’ran Al Shahania stays perfect with authoritative display
Zah’ran Al Shahania (Azadi x Zahwah) extended his flawless start with another polished effort in the National Derby Trial for 4YO Local Purebred Arabians over 2100m (Class 2), contested by 11 runners. Breaking from barrier 9, the bay gelding, carrying the North Racing silk, advanced his record to two wins from as many outings while also giving trainer Hamad Al-Jehani and jockey Pierre Charles Boudot a quick-fire double on the evening. He asserted late to score by 1½ lengths.
Jumping alertly, Zah’ran Al Shahania settled just behind the early tempo set by Dukhan Alseej (Nizam) and Amersun (Amer), travelling comfortably as the field made its way through the backstretch. He remained poised behind the leading group before easing closer approaching the home straight. Once in the straight, Zah’ran Al Shahania quickened purposefully, sweeping past the front pair and taking control 300m from the finish. From there, he kept on strongly to win with plenty in hand. Fatack Al Shahania (Burning Sand), representing H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani and prepared by Rudy Nerbonne, finished second under Lukas Delozier while stable companion Nah’aab Al Shahania, guided by Faleh Bughenaim, kept on well for third, another 1½ lengths away.
Mureb edges a thrilling finish to strike late
*“mdmar” website for horse racing and equestrian News
Mureb (Gazwan x Manisha) made his second start of the season count, prevailing in a dramatic climax to land the Purebred Arabian Derby Trial for 4YOs over 2100m (Class 2) in a field of nine. Drawn in barrier 9, the grey gelding, carrying the Wathnan Racing colours, secured a hard-earned success for trainer Alban de Mieulle and jockey Soufiane Saadi, sealing a third victory of the evening for the combination.
Mureb was sent forward to dictate the pace and travelled comfortably at the head of affairs, with Mac’zoom Al Shahania (Mared Al Sahra) shadowing him throughout. Upon straightening for home, Mac’zoom Al Shahania mounted a strong challenge from the outside and briefly headed the long-time leader, setting up a gripping duel. Refusing to yield, Mureb rallied gamely, reasserting himself in the final strides as the pair drove towards the line locked together. The photo confirmed Mureb the winner by the narrowest of margins after a stirring head-to-head battle. Behind them, Lippo De Carrere (Al Mourtajez), racing for the same ownership and yard as the winner, powered home from a rearward position under James Doyle to take third, only half a length behind the runner-up.
Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi, QREC Racing Manager, acknowledged the winners with the trophy presentation.
*“mdmar” website for horse racing and equestrian News
The “Mdmar” website which was Founded by Khaled Makhlouf in 2007 for horse and equestrian races is keen to cover and follow all competitions related to horses, from show jumping, Horseracing, speed and endurance races, and purebred Arabian horse beauty shows, which belong to the Arab Gulf countries at home and abroad in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the State of Qatar, the State of Kuwait, the Sultanate of Oman, and the Kingdom of Bahrain.
