Al Fareeq shines in Silver Sword Trial as Tiding crowns Khor Al Adaid Cup Day
Mdmar – Doha – MohamedSaad
PhotoJuhaim
Khor Al Adaid Cup Day unfolded on Thursday, 15 January, on the turf at Al Rayyan Racecourse, where a nine-race programme blended emerging talent with established performers across a varied and competitive card. The action built steadily through the afternoon before gathering real momentum in the latter stages, highlighted by the Silver Sword Trial success of the progressive filly Al Fareeq and brought to a fitting climax by a commanding staying display from Tiding in the Group 3 feature. Earlier on the day, the card had been set alight by a sequence of compelling performances, with Highland Spring striking first before Bailey Gate prevailed in a blanket finish. Swift Winds made a winning Qatar debut in style, while Manjam asserted himself with authority in the Purebred Arabian ranks. Nano Toro produced a stunning late flourish among the fillies and mares, September Leaves confirmed her consistency over staying ground, and Razy edged a tight conditions contest, all contributing to a meeting that built depth, tension and quality long before the feature races took centre stage.
Highland Spring returns to winning ways with late authority
Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi presented the trophy of the Silver Sword Trial to Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari, owner of the winning filly Al Fareeq, before handing over the Khor Al Adaid Cup to Sheikh Abdul Rahman Rashid Abdulrahman Mohammed Al Thani, owner of the feature race winner Tiding.
Tiding storms home to land Khor Al Adaid Cup
Tiding (Dubawi x Sun Maiden) returned to winning form in emphatic style when landing the feature, the Gr3 Khor Al Adaid Cup, a 2800m contest for 4YO+ Thoroughbreds contested by eight runners. The five-year-old chestnut, drawn in barrier 3, produced a powerful late surge to score decisively by 2½ lengths, recording his second success from five starts this season and securing his first Group victory. He carries the colours of Sheikh Abdul Rahman Rashid Al-Thani and was prepared by Gassim Al Ghazali, with Marco Casamento in the saddle- the trainer–jockey combination completing a double on the evening.
Highland Spring returns to winning ways with late authority
Settled towards the rear through the early stages, Tiding was ridden with patience as Fighter (Franke) set the tempo in the marathon trip. One Nation (Dubawi), Dubawi Spectre (Dubawi) and Palais Du Louvre (Galileo) formed the main chasing line while the field remained well strung out for much of the journey. Approaching the penultimate turn, Tiding began to inch closer under a smooth ride, improving into fourth and then advancing further to sit second as the field swung for home. Once in the straight, the response was immediate. Tiding unleashed a decisive burst, quickly reeling in the long-time leader before forging clear with authority, putting the result beyond doubt well before the line. Dubawi Spectre, partnered by Alberto Sanna, stayed on to secure second for H.E. Mansoor bin Ebrahim Al-Mahmoud, completing a one-two for trainer Gassim Al Ghazali in the race. Hamaki (Churchill), who had travelled midfield throughout, finished strongly to take third, carrying the colours of Wathnan Racing and trained by Alban de Mieulle, with Soufiane Saadi aboard, a further half-length behind the runner-up.
Al Fareeq edges out rivals to claim Silver Sword Trial
Al Fareeq (Nieshan x Zahwa) went one better in the penultimate race on the card, the Silver Sword Trial for 4YO Purebred Arabians over 2000m, a Class 2 contest restricted to Qatari owners and contested by 12 runners, edging home by a quarter of a length. The four-year-old bay filly, drawn in barrier 2, built on her runner-up finish in the Qatar Oaks on Qatar debut last month to record her second victory from four career start; form that also includes a fifth-place finish in Group 3 company. She races in the colours of Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari, is prepared by Julian Smart and was partnered by Faleh Bughenaim.
Highland Spring returns to winning ways with late authority
Racing close to the pace throughout, Al Fareeq tracked the long-time leader Al Bayyin Grine (Al Mourtajez), who dictated for much of the journey, with Geina (Mister Ginoux) and Wahdan (Mister Ginoux) also prominent. The order at the head of affairs changed little through the middle stages, while Fath Alkhair (Mister Ginoux) and Shawaq Alseej (Yazeed) began to close approaching the home turn. The complexion shifted in the straight as Al Bayyin Grine came under pressure from both sides. Al Fareeq was produced with a sustained late surge while Dawod (Mister Ginoux) finished strongly to join the battle. The trio locked together to the line, but Al Fareeq proved the strongest in the final strides, finding just enough to seize the verdict. Al Bayyin Grine, trained by Ahmed Al Jehani and ridden by Saleh Faraj Al-Otaibi, finished second for Faraj Saleh Al-Otaibi, holding the Al Wasmiyah Farm-owned Dawod, from the yard of Hamad Al-Jehani and partnered by Pierre Charles Boudot, to third by a short head.
Highland Spring returns to winning ways with late authority
Highland Spring (Dubawi x Luminate) produced a decisive late surge to land Race 1, a 1600m Class 4 handicap for 4YO+ with 16 runners, bouncing back to winning form with a 2½-length success. The five-year-old bay gelding, showing marked improvement on his first two starts of the season, carried the colours of Mohammed Shaheen Al-Kuwari, was prepared by Hamad Al-Jehani and partnered by Pierre Charles Boudot.
Settled just behind midfield through the early stages, Highland Spring was ridden patiently as Glengarra (Profitable) set the pace for much of the contest, holding a narrow advantage with Ghassan and Cambria Legend (Camelot) tracking in close attendance. The tempo remained steady into the middle stages, Glengarra maintaining a slender lead as the field began to compress approaching the home turn.
Turning in, Highland Spring began a measured advance, improving into fourth and then third early in the straight before quickening decisively inside the final 300m. He swept past the leaders to take control and continued to lengthen, asserting his authority to the line.
Zulu Tracker (Footstepsinthesand), owned and trained by Osama Omer Al-Dafea and ridden by Lukas Delozier, finished strongly to claim second, edging Ghassan (Footstepsinthesand), also owned and trained by Osama Omer Al-Dafea and partnered by Soufiane Saadi, by a neck. Elliptical (Footstepsinthesand), who had raced last early, also closed with purpose to finish a short head behind the third-placed runner, highlighting the depth of the late charge behind the clear winner.
Bailey Gate finds late surge in blanket finish
Bailey Gate (Shamardal x Castleacre) delivered his best effort of the season to land Race 2, a 1600m Class 4 handicap for 4YO+ with 16 runners, producing a decisive late burst to prevail by half a length. The six-year-old chestnut, drawn in barrier 6, was patiently ridden before striking at the crucial moment, carrying the colours of Mubarak Ali Al-Nuaimi, prepared by Owaida Salem Al Hajri and partnered by Fayos Martin Borja.
Settled just behind the leading pack through the early stages, Bailey Gate bided his time as Classic Order (No Nay Never) took up the running shortly after the start and dictated the pace through the early and middle stages. Washington Street (Earthlight) tracked the leader closely, with Assertively (Acclamation) and See All Match (Acclamation) next in line, the order at the head of affairs changing little for much of the journey. Approaching the home turn, the complexion of the race shifted as those ridden quietly began to close in numbers. Dubai Hills (Adaay), Bailey Gate and Al Kharaitiyat (Toronado) all made strong moves into contention, and once straightened the field fanned out across the track, with at least eight runners lining up in a wide-open contest. Inside the final 100m, every possibility remained until Bailey Gate found extra when it mattered most, surging to the front to settle matters late. Washington Street finished second, owned by Al Ghaf Stud, trained by Hamad Al-Jehani and ridden by Pierre Charles Boudot, just edging Al Kharaitiyat, who took third for Khalid Rashid Al-Mohannadi, under the care of Rashid Al Jehani and with Lukas Delozier in the saddle, with the pair separated by half a length.
Swift Winds makes winning Qatar debut
Swift Winds (Kodiac x Alqifaar) produced a polished display to take Race 3, a 1600m Class 4 handicap for three-year-olds with 12 runners, scoring by 2 lengths on her Qatar debut. Drawn wide in barrier 11, the bay filly doubled her career tally on her ninth start overall, having previously opened her account at Vichy last August, carrying the colours of Nibras Racing Syndicate, prepared by Abdulla Al-Mulla and ridden by Saleh Faraj Al-Otaibi.
Despite the wide draw, Swift Winds was settled midfield early as Lucia Molly (Profitable) set a strong tempo. Just A City Boy (Sioux Nation) moved up from the rear to take second soon after, with Swift Winds improving into third. Passing the 1200m, Swift Winds continued her forward momentum to take over, leading ahead of Lucia Molly, Victorious One (Siyouni) and Just A City Boy. The order at the head of affairs remained largely unchanged as the pace lifted approaching the home turn. Turning for home, Reverberate (Night Of Thunder), who had been ridden quietly towards the rear, began a sustained advance to join the leading group. Swift Winds, however, maintained her strong rhythm in the straight, quickening again to put the race beyond doubt and draw clear to a comfortable success. Reverberate, trained by Hamad Al-Jehani and partnered by Pierre Charles Boudot, finished second for Fahad Ali Al-Arumaihi while Just A City Boy, under the care of Mohammed Al Ghazali and ridden by Damien Morin, took third for Alghazali Motors Racing, a further 1¼ lengths back.
Manjam dominates from the front
Manjam (AF AlBahar x Farida Du Croate) returned to top form in emphatic fashion, landing Race 4, a Purebred Arabian Handicap (70–90) for 4YO+ over 1600m, Class 3, with 14 runners, recording his third victory from six career starts, all this season. The five-year-old bay horse, drawn in barrier 9, raced in the colours of Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari, was prepared by Zuhair Mohsen and partnered by Saleh Faraj Al-Otaibi, who completed a quick-fire double on the card.
Breaking sharply, Manjam took over from Saqr (Dahess) within the first two strides and immediately established control. Once in front, he set about dictating terms, never allowing his rivals a moment’s respite. Farhan (Al Mourtajez), Al Jori (Al Mamun Monlau) and later King Albahar (AF AlBahar) all took turns in pursuit, with Hamas La Gloire always close enough to apply pressure. Approaching the home turn, Al Jori again moved up into second as the field began to compress and once straightened almost all runners closed in a tightly packed line. Despite the mounting challenge, Manjam remained composed, responding gamely and maintaining his advantage all the way to the line. Alnood (Mared Al Sahra), trained by Julian Smart and partnered by Faleh Bughenaim, finished strongly from midfield to secure second for Injaaz Stud while Hamas La Gloire (AF AlBahar), prepared by Hamad Al-Jehani and ridden by Pierre Charles Boudot, stayed on resolutely to take third, only a head separating the pair. The battle for the minor honours was fierce, with Lanvin De Faust (No Risk Al Maury) and RB Hot Mess (Rathowan) dead-heating for fourth, both just a neck behind Hamas La Gloire.
Nano Toro unleashes blistering late burst
Nano Toro (Toronado x Nawarah) sustained her fine run of form in Race 5, a 1200m Class 3 handicap for fillies and mares with nine runners, producing a devastating late surge to score by three-quarters of a length. The six-year-old chestnut mare, drawn in barrier 3, registered her second win from four starts this campaign, adding to a season that has also yielded a third and a fourth, carrying the colours of Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik, prepared by Debbie Mountain and ridden by Mohammed Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik.
Racing midfield early, Nano Toro was gradually eased back towards the rear as Flashy Dark Angel (Dark Angel) set a strong and even tempo out in front, with Seduisante (Shalaa) and Kaliysta (Holy Roman Emperor) tracking as the nearest challengers. The shape of the race remained unchanged through the middle stages, Flashy Dark Angel continuing to dictate matters and appearing firmly in control approaching the straight. Turning for home, Flashy Dark Angel even stretched her advantage, opening up a clear gap around the 300m mark. Nano Toro, however, was just beginning to gather momentum. Produced wide on straightening, she accelerated sharply and, despite still having plenty to do, ate into the deficit with an astonishing turn of foot. Inside the final 50m, Nano Toro swept past the long-time leader to snatch the advantage and hold on to the line. Flashy Dark Angel, trained by Owaida Salem Al Hajri and partnered by Saleh Salem Al-Marri, finished second for Abdulaziz Ahmed Al-Khayarin while Kaliysta, handled by Khalifa Hamed Nasser Al Sawai and ridden by Alberto Sanna, stayed on to take third for Al Emadi Racing, 2 lengths behind the runner-up.
September Leaves books Shalfa ticket with late strike
September Leaves (Night Of Thunder x Antique Platinum) was rewarded for her consistency in Race 6, a 2000m Class 2 contest for fillies and mares aged 4YO+, scoring by 1½ lengths and confirming her strong form this season. The five-year-old bay mare, drawn in barrier 6, converted a sequence of four runner-up finishes and a third from her previous five starts into a deserved success, carrying the colours of Al Eida Racing, from the yard of Gassim Al Ghazali and partnered by Marco Casamento. The victory also secured her qualification for the HH The Amir Shalfa race in February.
Racing prominently from the outset, September Leaves settled into third through the early stages behind Warming (Too Darn Hot), who dictated the tempo, with Make Love (Make Believe) positioned between them. The order at the head of affairs remained largely unchanged through the middle stages, with Warming continuing to travel strongly in front. Approaching the home turn, September Leaves began to improve smoothly, using her efficient early rhythm to move into second and apply pressure to the long-time leader. On straightening, Warming responded gamely, lifting the pace and briefly stretching clear again, appearing to have repelled the challenge. Inside the final stages, however, September Leaves found another gear. She quickened decisively, reeled in Warming inside the final 50m and asserted late to claim the win with authority. Warming, trained by Hamad Al-Jehani and ridden by Pierre Charles Boudot, held on for second for Khalid bin Ghanem Al-Kuwari while Bint Mohaather (Mohaather), who had been ridden quietly at the rear for most of the race, finished strongly under Szczepan Mazur to take third for Al Jeryan Stud and trainer M.H.K Al Attiyah, 1¼ lengths behind the runner-up.
Razy grinds it out in tight conditions finish
Razy (Amer x Raedah) showed resilience and class to land Race 7, a 2000m Class 2 conditions contest for 4YO+, edging home by a quarter of a length in a small but quality field of four. The seven-year-old grey gelding, drawn in barrier 1, bounced straight back to winning form to score for the second time from just three starts this season, carrying the colours of Wathnan Racing, prepared by Alban de Mieulle and partnered by Soufiane Saadi.
After a brief reshuffle of positions soon after the start, AJS Kabul (AF AlBahar) assumed control and set a steady tempo, with Razy tracking him closely and Mubkhar Al Shahania (Gazwan) just behind while Al Mirage (AF AlBahar) settled at the rear. The order remained unchanged through the early and middle stages, with AJS Kabul continuing to dictate. Approaching the home turn, the pace lifted as Al Mirage improved into third, bringing the field closer together. Once straightened, the tempo increased again and the contest developed into a sustained duel, Razy applying relentless pressure to the long-time leader. Inside the final 100m, Razy’s persistence paid off as he edged past AJS Kabul to gain the upper hand and hold on to the line. AJS Kabul, trained by M.H.K Al Attiyah and ridden by Szczepan Mazur, finished second for Al Jeryan Stud while Mubkhar Al Shahania, representing H.E. Sheikha Yasmeen bint Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Thani and handled by Rudy Nerbonne, stayed on under Lukas Delozier to take third, only a short head behind the runner-up.
*“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.
