Al Maqam retains Baidaa Alga Cup with resolute finish
Mdmar – Doha -Mohamed Saad
The Baidaa Alga Cup race meeting took place on Wednesday, 7 January, on the dirt at Al Rayyan Racecourse, staging a nine-race card that built steadily in intensity and quality before culminating in a compelling feature. White Christmas opened proceedings in determined fashion, setting the early tone before Malik and Ruling Master followed with authoritative staying performances. Aaneef Zakhir and Thouab Al Shahania kept the momentum rolling, Lwich De Bozouls delivered the drama in a photo finish, Corinth dominated his rivals with a commanding display and Nibras Al Marroona preserved his unbeaten record, all combining to set the stage for a fitting finale as Al Maqam rose to the occasion in the Baidaa Alga Cup.
Saad Ali Al Kubaisi, Deputy Director of the QREC Registration & Studbook Department, crowned the winners of the meeting’s feature event, as Al Maqam sealed the day in resolute style.
Al Maqam defends Baidaa Alga Cup crown
Al Maqam (No Risk Al Maury x Marj Eyoun) successfully defended his crown in the ninth and feature race on the card, the Baidaa Alga Cup, a Local Purebred Arabian Novice contest for 4YO+ over 1700m. Drawn wide in barrier eight, the six-year-old dark bay gelding again showed resilience and class, being ridden with patience before holding on gamely in the home straight to prevail by a neck. The winner carried the colours of Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari, was prepared by Julian Smart and was partnered by Pierre Charles Boudot, who completed a double on the card
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Intent on retaining the trophy, Al Maqam raced prominently throughout, beginning in second as Fathi (Tabarak) showed the way, before Windsor (AF AlBahar) moved up to take control through the early and middle stages, with Fathi remaining in close attendance. The order at the head of affairs changed little for much of the contest, Al Maqam always travelling comfortably just off the leaders. Approaching the home turn, Al Maqam edged closer into second and then quickened again to strike the front on straightening. Windsor attempted to respond while Mared Al Zaeem (Mared Al Sahra), who had travelled midfield but within striking distance of the leading pack, was produced with a powerful late run. Inside the final stages, Mared Al Zaeem surged past Windsor and emerged as a serious threat, closing rapidly on Al Maqam and forcing him to dig deep. Despite the strong challenge, Al Maqam responded with determination, finding just enough to cling on and secure the Baidaa Alga Cup by a neck. Mared Al Zaeem finished a clear second for Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik, trainer Ahmed Kobeissi and jockey Jefferson Smith, pulling 3½ lengths ahead of Windsor, who stayed on for third for Umm Al Shukhut Farm, under the care of Ibrahim Khaled Elahmed and with Alberto Sanna in the saddle, as Al Maqam once again proved his affinity for this feature.
White Christmas finally breaks through in opener
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White Christmas (Showcasing x Irish Madam) opened the card by landing Race 1, the Thoroughbred Maiden Plate for 4–7YOs over 1200m, Class 6, contested by a field of 14 runners. The 5-year-old chestnut horse, racing in the colours of Eng. Mohammed Ali Yousef Al Sheeb and prepared by Ahmad Al Sheeb, finally shed his maiden tag at the 19th attempt, doing so in emphatic fashion on his second start of the season. Louis Nomis made full use of the gelding’s early speed, dictating matters throughout to score with authority.
Breaking smartly from a wide draw (no. 13), White Christmas moved forward decisively to take up the running from Perfect Dark (Ardad)shortly after the start, quickly asserting control at the head of affairs. He travelled comfortably in front, maintaining a strong and even tempo, and was never allowed to relax his advantage as the field strung out behind him. Leaving the back straight, Mockirr (Tasleet), representing Al Jasra Stud and trained by Abdulla Al-Mulla, improved from midfield into second under Ivan Rossi to emerge as the principal pursuer. The early leader, Perfect Dark, was gradually relegated approaching the home turn and those who raced behind in the early stages progressed around the home turn. Mockirr tried to press on White Christmas in the home straight, but the latter continued to gallop relentlessly, keeping his challenger at arm’s length and extending again inside the final furlong to secure a clear and deserved success. Mockirr stayed on gamely to confirm second while Manos Arriba (Tamayuz), carrying the colours of Al Eida Racing and trained by Gassim Al Ghazali, finished strongly from between the rear and midfield to claim third under Alberto Sanna. The runner-up and third home were separated by 1¾ lengths, with White Christmas holding a decisive advantage over both at the line.
Malik strikes in staying handicap
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Malik (French Fifteen x Phone The Diva) landed Race 2, the Local Thoroughbred Handicap (0–45) for 4YO+ over 1900m, a Class 6 contest with 10 runners, building on last week’s fourth on his seasonal return to score by 2 lengths and register the 10-year-old bay gelding’s fifth career win for owner Al Ghazali Stud, trainer Gassim Al Ghazali and jockey Soufiane Saadi.
Settling well from barrier four, Malik travelled smoothly through the early and middle stages as Awaayid (Tribal Beat) set the early pace before Black Diamond (Ponfeigh) moved up swiftly to take control, with Awaayid and Ghada (Zelzal) tracking the leader. Passing the first bend, Malik improved into second and continued to travel strongly while the order remained largely unchanged. Approaching the home turn, Royal Rose (Qatar Gift) began to quicken to improve into third, but Malik lifted the tempo decisively, moving up to take the lead on entering the home straight. Once asked to extend in the final 200m, he found more, kicking clear to secure a comfortable victory. Behind the winner, the battle for the minor honours was intense. Royal Rose stayed on gamely to claim second for Ali Bin Saeed Aljafali Al Nuaimi, trainer Ahmed Kobeissi and jockey Ivan Rossiwhile only a neck separated her from the third-placed Duphor Bu Thaila (Dubday), who finished strongly for Nasser Khalifa Al-Kuwari, trainer Fahad Rashid Al Khayarin and rider Salman Fahad Al-Hajri. Another neck back, Jabahat (Holy Roman Emperor), representing Injaaz Stud, trainer Jihad El Ahmad and jockey Alberto Sanna, closed late to take fourth, underlining just how fierce the contest was for the placings behind the clear-cut winner.
Ruling Master unleashes decisive turn of foot
Ruling Master (Holy Roman Emperor x Spring To Mind) dominated Race 3, a Thoroughbred Handicap (0–70) for 4YO+ over 1900m, Class 5, restricted to Qatari and apprentice jockeys, with 11 runners, returning to the winning groove just 10 days after his latest outing to score by an emphatic 5 lengths and post his third victory from six starts this season. The four-year-old bay gelding carried the colours of H.E. Meshaal bin Ali Al-Attiyah, was produced in peak order by Gassim Al Ghazali, who completed a quick-fire double, and was confidently partnered by Salman Fahad Al-Hajri.
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Smart Contender (Shamardal) ensured a searching gallop from the outset, quickly opening up a sizeable break on the field, with He’s A Dream (Oasis Dream) and Cloak And Dagger (Lope De Vega) the nearest pursuers. Ruling Master raced prominently just in behind the leading group, travelling comfortably despite his wide dra (barrier 10). Approaching the home turn, Ruling Master began to assert himself, accelerating into second as Cloak And Dagger also moved forward, the pair rapidly eroding Smart Contender’s advantage and reeling him in around the home bend. Once straightened for home, Ruling Master unleashed a decisive turn of foot, quickly putting daylight between himself and his rivals and settling the outcome well before the line. Cloak And Dagger stayed on to secure second for Al Ghazali Stud, trainer Nasser Al Ghazali and rider Jamal Laarim, finishing 2 1/4 lengths ahead of Mashhoor (Siyouni), who closed from just behind midfield in the straight to take third for owner Saif Rashid Saif Al Khayarin, handler Ahmed Al Jehani and jockey Saleh Faraj Al-Otaibi, as the winner signed off with a commanding display.
Aaneef Zakhir digs deep to regain winning thread
Aaneef Zakhir (Djendel x Gharnata) returned to winning ways in Race 4, a Local Purebred Arabian Handicap (55–75) for 4YO+ over 1900m, a Class 5 contest with seven runners, building on his third-place finish last time to score by a length and record his second victory from six starts this campaign. The six-year-old bay horse races in the care of his owner-trainer Osama Omer Al-Dafea and was guided with assurance by Arnaud De Lepine.
Settled handily in third through the early and middle stages, Aaneef Zakhir tracked AJS Haizum (AF AlBahar), who set the early pace, while Dhi Qar Zakhir (Djendel) began to apply pressure approaching the home turn, sweeping up from behind to move into contention. As the field swung into the straight, Dhi Qar Zakhir briefly held the advantage, with Soufyan Al Shahania (TM Fred Texas) and Aaneef Zakhir poised close up on his quarters. Within a few strides, the challengers reeled in the leader, with Aaneef Zakhir asserting for the lead and responding gamely when asked to find more. Despite a late thrust from Soufyan Al Shahania, he stuck on resolutely to hold sway by a length. Soufyan Al Shahania chased home the winner to claim second for Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik, trainer Ahmed Kobeissi and jockey Mohammed Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik, finishing 3 1/4 lengths ahead of Al Fareq (Al Mamun Monlau). The latter, representing Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari and trained by Julian Smart, was held up towards the rear for much of the journey before producing a strong late surge under Pierre Charles Boudot, closing late, but leaving herself too much to do and finished third.
Thouab Al Shahania times challenge to perfection
Thouab Al Shahania (Assy x Aziza D’Aroco) produced a well-judged late surge to land Race 5, a Purebred Arabian Handicap (55–75) for 4YO+ over 1900m, a Class 4 contest contested by 14 runners. The six-year-old bay gelding showed marked improvement on his first two starts of the season to score by a length, giving owner-trainer Ahmed Hassan Al Malki Al Jehani a deserved success, with Saleh Faraj Al-Otaibi executing the plan to perfection in the saddle.
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Settled patiently through the early stages, Thouab Al Shahania travelled comfortably in fifth and sixth as Midrass (Amer) set the pace, with AJS Kabul (Seraphin Du Paon) tracking closely and steadily reducing the margin to race almost upsides the leader. The tempo lifted approaching the home turn, with the field beginning to compress as several runners moved into contention, notably Kera De Flauzins (Al Mamun Monlau), who made a sustained run from the rear to close rapidly into fourth, within striking distance of the principals. On straightening, AJS Kabul accelerated decisively and briefly looked set to take the race, but the closing stages developed into a dramatic duel. Thouab Al Shahania was produced with a perfectly timed challenge, responding strongly to pressure and reel in the leader in the final strides to assert late on. Kera De Flauzins continued her powerful run to snatch second for Injaaz Stud, trained by Julian Smart and partnered by Alberto Sanna, edging out AJS Kabul by only a neck, while the latter, representing Fahad Salem Al-Hajri, trainer Mohamed Khaled Elahmed and jockey Salman Fahad Al-Hajri, was left to settle for third in a tightly fought finish behind the decisive winner.
Lwich De Bozouls clings on in dramatic photo finish
Lwich De Bozouls (No Risk Al Maury x Jidwicha De Bozouls) edged out a thrilling conclusion to Race 6, a Purebred Arabian Handicap (60–80) for 4YO+ over 1200m, Class 4, with nine runners, adding a second career victory to his record on his fourth start in Qatar. The five-year-old bay gelding, who broke his maiden on debut in France in April 2024, prevailed by a short head for Al Fadala Racing, prepared by Hamad Al-Jehani and driven all the way to the line by Pierre Charles Boudot.
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Sharp from the gates, Lwich De Bozouls showed intent immediately, quickly taking the lead from Jaazmina Du Soleil (Gazwan), who had also begun well and was prominent from the outset. Jaazmina Du Soleil then moved up to track Lwich De Bozouls early while Prince D’Ossau (Al Tair) briefly applied pressure through the opening stages. Passing the first bend, Jaazmina Du Soleil reasserted herself into second, the leading order remaining largely intact as Al Khebrah (No Risk Al Maury) crept forward into fourth. Turning for home, Lwich De Bozouls appeared firmly in control, maintaining a strong gallop and seemingly stretching clear as the field straightened. However, the complexion of the race changed inside the final 100m as Jaazmina Du Soleil produced a powerful late burst, slicing into the deficit with every stride and drawing almost level right on the line. A photo finish was required to separate the pair, Lwich De Bozouls narrowly getting the verdict by a short head. Jaazmina Du Soleil finished a gallant second for Sharq Stud, trainer Mohd Ahmed Mohd Hasan Al-Sulaiti and jockey Alberto Sanna. Two lengths back, Al Khebrah stayed on to claim third for Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari, under the care of Zuhair Mohsen and partnered by Saleh Faraj Al-Otaibi, finishing a commanding 8½ lengths clear of the remainder, clearly best of the rest behind the closely matched first two.
Corinth turns contest into a procession
Corinth (Dubawi x Ricetta) delivered a commanding performance in Race 7, a Thoroughbred Handicap (0–95) for 3YOs over 1700m, a Class 3 contest with five runners, improving sharply on his Qatar debut to post a dominant 7½-length success and record his second win from five career starts. The bay gelding carried the colours of Abdulaziz Saleh Al Jaber, was expertly prepared by Hadi Al Ramzani and was partnered with confidence by Alberto Sanna.
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Settling into a handy rhythm early, Corinth raced in second as Just A City Boy (Sioux Nation) set the tempo, with Big Song (Earthlight) tracking next ahead of Besondere (Waldgeist) and Zoiros (Sioux Nation). The compact field remained tightly grouped through the early stages. The order remained unchanged until passing the second bend where Zoiros made a bold move to take over and Corinth immediately latched onto his heels as the pair began to draw clear of the remainder. Turning for home, the contest was quickly transformed. Corinth lengthened decisively, asserting with every stride and quickly opening daylight on his rivals, making it a one-horse race well before the finish as he powered clear in emphatic fashion. Big Song stayed on to secure second for owner-trainer Ibrahim Saeed Ibrahim Al Malki, with Tomas Lukasek in the saddle, finishing a clear 4 lengths ahead of Zoiros, who took third for Al Falah Stud, trainer Hamad Al-Jehani and jockey Pierre Charles Boudot. The margins underlining Corinth’s authority in a race settled in decisive style.
Nibras Al Marroona keeps perfect record intact
Nibras Al Marroona (Hilal Al Waab x Okelana AF) confirmed his status as the evening’s hot favourite in Race 8, the penultimate on the card, a Purebred Arabian contest for Show Horses and Mares aged 4YO+ over 1000m, run with 12 runners, remaining unbeaten by recording his third win from as many career starts. The five-year-old chestnut, racing in the colours of Hassan bin Ali Hassan Al Matwi, was prepared by Mohammed Hassan Al Matwi and partnered by Salman Fahad Al-Hajri, who completed a double on the card, scoring by a length.
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Settled patiently in fourth through the early stages, Nibras Al Marroona was content to watch the pace unfold ahead of him. Hejazi Alduhail (Fares Al Rayyan) showed early initiative before Fahd Al Safwa (Fared Al Nasser) took his turn in front and after the first bend Assaf Al Nasser (Safir Al Rayyan) moved up to assume control as the field began to stretch. Approaching the home turn, Nibras Al Marroona was produced with intent, improving sharply to latch onto the leader and quickly asserting on straightening. Once in front, he pressed on strongly, opening up what appeared to be a decisive advantage. However, the closing stages developed into a genuine test as Nashmyah Alrekaben (Serheed Al Zobara) and Saleh Al Jabnun (Gazwan Al Nasser) both launched sustained challenges from midfield, steadily cutting into the margin. Despite the late pressure, Nibras Al Marroona responded gamely to hold sway to the line, securing the win by a length. Nashmyah Alrekaben finished second for Al Rakaben Stud, trainer Dr Fahad Salman Al-Hajri and jockey Youssef Lachhab while Saleh Al Jabnun, representing Mrs Lamya Mohammed Sadoon Hammadi and trainer Fahad Rashid Al Khayarin with Chloe Mignonneau aboard, stayed on for third, a further 1½ lengths back, as the unbeaten winner once again proved equal to every challenge.
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