Caid Du Soleil prevails at the line to claim the Al Judhay Cup
Mohamed Saad
Al Judhay Cup Day, the 42nd race meeting of the 2025/26 season, was staged on Wednesday, 28 January, at Al Uqda Racecourse on the turf, featuring an engaging eight-race programme characterised by tightly fought contests for the minor honours alongside notable rider and trainer multiples. Several races were settled late, with strong finishing efforts and finely balanced duels a recurring theme throughout the afternoon.
Across the eight-race card, success was shared among a varied group of performers, with Megalithic opening proceedings by getting off the mark, Fatack Al Shahania asserting his class to dominate once more, Hornsea Bay staying on strongly to score over the longer trip, Marzoog producing a powerful late surge to break his maiden, Overrule confirming his resilience with a second consecutive victory, AJS Najma returning to winning form with a well-timed finish, Alzabyr showing resolve to make all in testing conditions and Caid Du Soleil edging a stirring finish to capture the Al Judhay Cup.
Mr Rashid Saed Adiba, Head of the Racing Operations Section at QREC, presented the Al Judhay Cup trophies to the winners of the day’s final and feature race
Caid Du Soleil edges a stirring finish to lift the Al Judhay Cup
Caid Du Soleil (Al Mourtajez x Theeba) returned to his best to land the eighth and final race, the Al Judhay Cup, a Purebred Arabian Premium Maiden Plate for 4–7yos over 2200m, Class 6, contested by 12 runners. The five-year-old grey, racing for Al Shahania Stud and trained by Rudy Nerbonne, put a series of recent efforts behind him to get off the mark at the seventh attempt and on his third start in Qatar, prevailing by a neck under Lukas Delozier, who completed a quick-fire double and a treble on the day.
Settling into a comfortable rhythm early, Caid Du Soleil raced in fifth through the early and middle stages, tracking a leading group headed by Al Natibis Up (Al Mamun Monlau), who set the tempo ahead of Munahis (AF AlBahar), Bin Narain (Al Mourtajez) and Der’h Al Shahania (Gazwan). The order remained largely unchanged as the field made its way toward the home turn, with Al Natibis Up appearing firmly in control. Once straightened, the complexion of the race shifted. Munahis began to apply strong pressure to the leader, ranging up with intent while Caid Du Soleil was produced with a perfectly timed challenge, unleashing a telling late surge from just off the pace. In the final stages, he swept to the front as Munahis continued to battle relentlessly alongside, refusing to yield. The pair fought out a gripping finish, with Caid Du Soleil showing resolve to hold on gamely and secure a narrow victory. Munahis, owned by Sheikh Ahmad bin Mohamed bin Faleh Al Thani and trained by Hadi Al Ramzani, finished a close second under Jefferson Smith, beaten only a neck but a length and a half clear of the remainder. Lattam (No Risk Al Maury), representing Abdulrahman Fahad Al-Attiyah and trained by Hamad Al-Jehani, produced the fastest closing sectional under Pierre Charles Boudot to take third, completing the frame in a strongly run renewal of the Al Judhay Cup.
Megalithic breaks through with authority to open the card
Megalithic (Wootton Bassett x Wonderfully) made a decisive breakthrough in the opening race, a Thoroughbred Maiden Plate for 4–7yos over 1400m, Class 6, contested by 11 runners. The four-year-old bay gelding, drawn ideally in barrier 1, built on a sequence of improved efforts earlier in the season, including a runner-up finish, to get off the mark with a convincing success, scoring by 1¾ lengths for owner Ahmed Hassan Al Malki Al Jehani. He is trained by Hamad Al-Jehani and was partnered by Pierre Charles Boudot.
Showing intent from the outset, Megalithic used his inside draw to race prominently, settling just off the pace as the early lead was exchanged between North Audley (Cable Bay) and The Hrse Horse (Invincible Spirit). The tempo remained genuine through the first half of the race, with Megalithic always travelling comfortably in close attendance. Approaching the 800m mark, Megalithic was allowed to stride forward and assert, moving into the lead with North Audley and The Hrse Horse giving chase. Turning for home, he maintained his advantage and quickly began to stretch clear, responding willingly when asked and opening up a decisive break inside the final 200m. From there, he was never under serious threat, continuing his strong run through the line to secure a well-earned victory. The Hrse Horse, owned by Sheikh Abdul Rahman Rashid Al Thani and trained by Mohammed Al Ghazali, stayed on under Lukas Delozier to take second, unable to reel in the winner after chasing throughout. Influence (No Nay Never), representing Nasser Mohammed Kazim Al Ansari and trained by Abdulla Al-Mulla, finished strongly from midfield under Ivan Rossi to claim third, 2¼ lengths behind the runner-up, as North Audley weakened late.
Fatack Al Shahania asserts class to dominate once more
Fatack Al Shahania (Burning Sand x Fiha) produced another authoritative display to take the second race, a Local Purebred Arabian Novice Plate for 4yos and up over 1400m, Class 5, contested by 11 runners. The five-year-old grey, racing in the colours of H.E. Sheikha Yasmeen bint Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani and trained by Rudy Nerbonne, added a second career victory to his record at the fifth attempt, all in his first season, again doing so by a wide margin of three and three-quarter lengths. He finished runner-up in the other three starts. He was partnered by Lukas Delozier.
Breaking sharply from barrier 3, Fatack Al Shahania initially moved to the lead before being headed by Raqeeq (Mister Ginoux), with Delozier content to settle his mount into second just ahead of Rabee’ Al Shahania (Asraa Min Albarq). The tempo remained steady through the early and middle stages, with little change among the leading positions. Turning for home, Husam Al Shahania (Munjiz), who had been racing in fifth through the early part of the contest, began to close strongly, improving first into third and then into second as the field straightened. For a brief moment, the leader appeared within range, but Fatack Al Shahania had more in reserve. Inside the final 300m, he produced a sharp and decisive turn of foot, surging back to the front and quickly opening up a commanding advantage to put the race beyond doubt. Husam Al Shahania, owned by Hassan bin Ali Hassan Al Matwi and trained by Mohammed Hassan Al Matwi, stayed on under Salman Fahad Al-Hajri to secure second, holding off the late challenge of Agshar (Al Mourtajez). Agshar, representing Al Galayel Stud and trained by Tareq Essa R A Abdulla, finished strongly from midfield under Szczepan Mazur to take third, only half a length behind the runner-up.
Hornsea Bay stays on strongly to strike over the longer trip
Hornsea Bay (New Bay x Ice Sprite) delivered a well-earned success in the third race, a Thoroughbred Novice Plate for 4yos and up over 2200m, Class 5, contested by nine runners. The four-year-old chestnut gelding, racing for Saif Rashid Saif Al Khayarin and trained by Hamad Al-Jehani, built on three consecutive third place finishes to record the second victory of his career and his first on his second start in Qatar, scoring by a decisive two lengths and completing a double for his trainer on the day. He was ridden with patience by Jefferson Smith.
After the start, Hornsea Bay was settled towards the rear as Inwi (Dubawi) took up the early running ahead of Swann (Wootton Bassett) and Aljalta (Toronado). The lead soon changed hands when Brise Noir (Almanzor) improved to the front, setting a steady tempo with the order largely unchanged through the middle stages. Turning for home, Brise Noir continued to dictate ahead of Aljalta and Swann while Hornsea Bay, who had been making gradual headway throughout, worked his way into contention, closing to sit fourth on straightening. Passing the 300m mark, Swann moved through to take the lead and briefly looked the likely winner, holding a narrow advantage over the chasing pack. That move, however, brought Hornsea Bay fully into the contest. Accelerating impressively from the outside inside the final 200m, he swept past his rivals to hit the front and, once clear, continued to extend his advantage through the closing stages to secure a convincing victory. Swann, owned by Sharida bin Nasser bin Sharida Al-Kaabi and trained by Yousef Al Jumaily, stayed on under Pierre Charles Boudot to take second, finishing two lengths behind the winner, but only a head ahead of Brise Noir. Brise Noir, representing Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari and trained by Zuhair Mohsen, battled on under Abdulla Rashid Al-Hajri to claim third, narrowly holding Aljalta, owned by Khalid Rashid Al-Mohannadi and trained by Rashid Al Jehani, with Arnaud De Lepine in the saddle, who finished another head away in fourth.
Marzoog unleashes a late burst to break his maiden
Marzoog (AF AlBahar x Divine Class) produced a decisive breakthrough in the fourth race, a Purebred Arabian Handicap (50–70) for 4yos and up over 1400m, Class 5, contested by 12 runners. The four-year-old grey colt, owned by Mohammed Abdulhadi Al-Hajri and trained by Hamad Al-Jehani, showed marked improvement on his earlier seasonal efforts to get off the mark, drawing clear by 1¾ lengths. He was ridden by Jefferson Smith, who completed a quick-fire double, while the victory also marked a similar quick-fire double and a third success on the day for his trainer.
Restrained early, Marzoog was settled toward the rear as Billythekid Pompadour (Al Mamun Monlau) showed early speed to lead briefly before Solmax (Mahabb) moved through to assume control. Solmax established a steady rhythm through the middle stages, tracked closely by Fateh HCM (Nizam) and Manassek De La Gloire (AF AlBahar), with the order remaining largely unchanged as the field turned for home. In the straight, Manassek De La Gloire improved into second and, for a moment, the contest appeared set to develop between him and the long-time leader Solmax. However, inside the final 200m, Marzoog emerged with a powerful, sustained run down the outside, surging past both leaders in a matter of strides and quickly asserting to put the result beyond doubt. Billythekid Pompadour, carrying the colours of Sharq Stud and trained by Mohd Ahmed Mohd Hasan Al-Sulaiti, rallied late under Arnaud De Lepine after being shuffled back in the middle stages to secure second, finishing 1¼ lengths ahead of Manassek De La Gloire. The latter, representing Al Majd Stud and prepared by Yousef Al Jumaily, stayed on under Damien Morin to take third, unable to match the decisive late acceleration of the winner.
Overrule proves his stamina to extend winning run
Overrule (New Bay x Goldamour) confirmed his versatility and resilience in the fifth race, a Thoroughbred Handicap (0–70) for 4yos and up over 2200m, reserved for Qatari and apprentice riders, Class 5, contested by 12 runners. The six-year-old bay gelding, owned by Abdulaziz Saleh Al-Otaibi and trained by Mohammed Hassan Al Matwi, overcame a wide draw in barrier 11 to record a second consecutive victory from five starts this season, following up his recent success over a shorter 2000m trip on the dirt with an equally strong performance on this occasion. He was partnered by Saleh Faraj Al-Otaibi and prevailed by 1¼ lengths.
Despite his outside draw, Overrule broke well and settled into a prominent stalking role in second behind Axiome (Dubawi), with Roman Number (Holy Roman Emperor) close up. The race developed into a contest of constant positional changes and Overrule was briefly shuffled back to fifth as Atlantic Convoy (Galileo) and Mawhob (Zelzal) advanced into second and third respectively. Axiome continued to dictate through the middle stages, with Katleiya (Gleneagles) and Al Motasim (Lope De Vega) joining him to establish a clear break on the field as the tempo increased. However, turning for home, those who had been held up began to assert, and the complexion shifted markedly in the straight. Once straightened, Overrule quickened decisively, moving to the front ahead of Katleiya and Atlantic Convoy and quickly asserting his authority. He sustained the run strongly through the final stages to seal the outcome with confidence. Mawhob, racing for Al Raheeb Racing and trained by Mohammed Ahmed Al-Hajri, produced a strong late surge under Maxim Bozzio to secure second, finishing 1¼ lengths behind the winner. Thunder Valley (Night of Thunder), representing Ms Maryam Abdulrahman Al-Jaber and prepared by Hadi Al Ramzani, closed well under Marouane Elaatify to take third, a further 1¼ lengths back, completing the frame after a testing staying contest.
AJS Najma rallies late to regain the winning thread
AJS Najma (AF AlBahar x Doukalia) returned to winning form in the sixth race, a Local Purebred Arabian Handicap (60–80) for 4yos and up over 1400m, Class 4, contested by nine runners. The six-year-old chestnut mare, racing for Al Jeryan Stud and trained by M.H.K Al Attiyah, prevailed by a length after a well-timed late effort under Szczepan Mazur.
Racing prominently throughout, AJS Najma settled just off the leading pair, travelling between third and fourth as Tayyar Al Shahania (Jaafer ASF) showed early speed before Al Ehdaashari (AF AlBahar) moved through to take over. The lead changed hands more than once through the early and middle stages, with Tayyar Al Shahania and Al Ehdaashari exchanging the advantage, closely attended by Al Wasmi (AF AlBahar) and AJS Najma, the quartet keeping the field tightly grouped. Approaching the final bend, Tayyar Al Shahania regained control and appeared to have stolen a decisive break turning for home. However, once in the straight, AJS Najma was produced with purpose from midfield, quickening strongly to apply immediate pressure. Inside the final 50m, she swept past the leaders with authority, asserting late to secure a clear-cut victory. Behind her, the minor placings were settled in a tight and gripping finish. Al Wasmi, carrying the colours of Al Wasmiyah Farm and trained by Mohammed Al Ghazali, stayed on determinedly under Marco Casamento to take second, finishing a length behind the winner, but only a nose ahead of Tayyar Al Shahania. Tayyar Al Shahania, owned by Hassan bin Ali Hassan Al Matwi and trained by Mohammed Hassan Al Matwi, battled on under Salman Fahad Al-Hajri to claim third, holding off Al Ehdaashari, racing for Mohammed Fahad Al-Sahli and also trained by Mohammed Hassan Al Matwi and ridden by Saleh Faraj Al-Otaibi, by a neck into fourth, underlining how narrowly the chasing trio were separated at the line.
Alzabyr shows resolve to make all in testing contest
Alzabyr (Alsaker x Essaana) delivered a determined front-running performance to take the seventh race, a Purebred Arabian Handicap (0–95) for four-year-olds over 2100m, Class 3, contested by six runners. The chestnut colt, drawn ideally in barrier 1, recorded his second victory from six starts this season and the seventh of his career, prevailing by half a length for owner Nasser Saif Al-Kubaisi. He is trained by Mohammed Al Ghazali and was ridden by Lukas Delozier, who rode his second winner on the day and looked willing for more!
Making full use of his inside draw, Alzabyr broke sharply to take immediate control and was allowed to dictate a steady tempo through the early and middle stages. RF Wjoud (Mister Ginoux) initially tracked the leader, with Monaafasah (Nieshan) settled just behind while the remainder were content to bide their time off the pace. Passing halfway, Alzabyr began to lift the tempo, stretching the field as the race developed into a more sustained test. Turning for home, Monaafasah improved decisively into second and applied increasing pressure, emerging as the principal danger in the straight. Inside the final 100m, she briefly ranged up and edged past, momentarily seizing the advantage. Alzabyr, however, responded gamely when challenged, digging deep to reclaim the lead and reasserting in the closing strides to secure the verdict. Monaafasah, owned by Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari and trained by Julian Smart, was a close second under Faleh Bughenaim, beaten only half a length but finishing 1¼ lengths clear of the remainder. Geina (Mister Ginoux), representing Dukhan Racing and trained by Ahmed Al Jehani, finished strongly from last under Jefferson Smith to take third, edging out Mister Linsou (No Risk Al Maury), who closed late for Al Hajaj Farm and trainer Hamad Al-Jehani, ridden by Pierre Charles Boudot, by a nose in a tight battle for the minor honours.
