Chdia lands Gold Sword as Sovereign Spirit takes Gold Trophy
HE Sheikh Thani bin Hamad Al Thani presents Qatar Gold Sword to HE Sheikh Jassim bin Tamim Al Thani
Mdmar – Doha – MohamedSaad
Photo – Juhaim
Under the patronage of HE Sheikh Thani bin Hamad Al Thani, the Qatar Gold Sword and Trophy meeting was staged at QREC Al Rayyan Racecourse on Thursday, 23 April. Following the day’s final race, HE Sheikh Thani bin Hamad Al Thani presented the Qatar Gold Sword, which was received by HE Sheikh Jassim bin Tamim Al Thani after the Wathnan Racing-owned Chdia (Al Mourtajez x Rkaya) captured the day’s feature and concluding race, the Gr1 PA Qatar Gold Sword.
The nine-race card was run on turf, with Race 5 for Arabian show horses held on dirt. The day’s contests produced a series of notable winners. Kendah Al Shahania extended her winning sequence in the opener, Taxiwala returned to winning form in the Sealine Sprint Cup and Equinoxe produced a landmark performance to secure a sixth consecutive victory in the Local Thoroughbred Cup. Victorious One stepped up to land the Al Wajba Trophy, Sham Alghania remained unbeaten to seal the Show Horse Series finale and Razy made all to take the Qatar Silver Trophy. Taftan powered clear to claim the Qatar Silver Sword, Sovereign Spirit dominated on his Qatar debut in the Qatar Gold Trophy and Chdia delivered a commanding performance to land the feature.
Chdia delivers a commanding display in Qatar Gold Sword
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Chdia (Al Mourtajez x Rkaya) landed the Qatar Gold Sword, a Gr1 Purebred Arabian contest over 2000m for four-year-olds and upwards, with nine lining up, drawing emphatically clear by 3½ lengths. The five-year-old bay mare, racing for Wathnan Racing, is under the care of Alban de Mieulle, who saddled his third winner on the card, and was partnered by Soufiane Saadi. She extended her winning run to four in a row and maintaining an unbeaten record in Qatar this season with a performance of real authority.
Nasser Al Shahania (Jaafer ASF) led for the majority of the race, followed by Samsa Al Shahania (Assy), Jenkille Hipolyte (Al Mamun Monlau) and Ghara (Azadi), with Chdia travelling smoothly just behind this group, perfectly positioned throughout. Inside the final 300m, Chdia was delivered with a perfectly timed ride, quickening decisively to sweep past the leaders in a matter of strides. From that point, she asserted her superiority, powering away with each stride and leaving her rivals firmly behind in a display of dominance. Ghara, representing Al Wasmiyah Farm and from the Hamad Al-Jehani yard, with Pierre Charles Boudot aboard, finished second, 3 lengths clear of Samsa Al Shahania, who runs in the colours of Al Shahania Stud and is prepared by Rudy Nerbonne, with Alberto Sanna in the saddle, both well held and never able to mount a challenge to the runaway winner.
Sovereign Spirit dominates Qatar Gold Trophy on debut
Sovereign Spirit (Le Havre x Shutka) landed the Qatar Gold Trophy, a QA Gr1 contest over 2200m for Thoroughbreds aged four and above, with 13 runners lining up, drawing clear by 4½ lengths. The six-year-old bay gelding, racing for Al-Afoo Racing Stable and trained in Bahrain by Jaber Ramadhan, was ridden by Alberto Sanna, who completed a treble, making a striking Qatar debut and recording a fourth win from just six career starts.
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Sovereign Spirit was positioned just behind the long-time leader Sussex (Dubawi), tracking him closely through the early and middle stages as the pace was steadily maintained. The order remained largely unchanged, with the leader dictating and the field well covered behind. On straightening, Sovereign Spirit moved up smoothly to challenge and soon took control, quickening decisively to open up a commanding advantage. From that point, the outcome was never in doubt as he extended further clear, asserting his class with an authoritative display. Tiding (Dubawi), racing for Sheikh Abdul Rahman Rashid Al-Thani and trained by Gassim Al Ghazali, with Lukas Delozier aboard, finished strongly from off the pace to take second, 2½ lengths ahead of Pacifiste (Saxon Warrior), who also made late headway for Sharq Stud. He is trained by Mohd Ahmed Mohd Hasan Al-Sulaiti and was ridden by Sandro Paiva, finishing third, both well behind the runaway winner, who had already settled the race in the home straight.
Abdulrahman bin Mansour Al Mansour, QREC Board Member, presented the Qatar Gold Trophy.
Taftan powers clear to claim Qatar Silver Sword
Taftan (AF Al Buraq x Zaaqya) landed the Qatar Silver Sword, a 2000m contest for four-year-old Purebred Arabians (Class 1), with six lining up, drawing clear by 3 lengths. The bay gelding, racing for Ahmed Hassan Al Malki Al Jehani, is trained by Hamad Al-Jehani and was ridden by Pierre Charles Boudot, making it back-to-back wins and securing the Sword for his trainer for the second year running.
Taftan went straight to the front and set a steady tempo, tracked by Nerci D (Muraaqib), Geina (Mister Ginoux) and La Quyood (Nieshan), with the order unchanged through the early and middle stages. In the straight, Taftan found more under pressure, stretching further clear and putting the race beyond doubt, his advantage never under threat. Behind him, the early chasers were overtaken late as Dawod (Mister Ginoux) and Dabida (Divamer) produced strong runs from off the pace to move into contention. Dawod, representing Al Wasmiyah Farm and from the Hamad Al-Jehani yard, with Faleh Bughenaim aboard, finished a comfortable second, completing a one-two for the trainer. He finished 3 lengths ahead of the Wathnan Racing-owned Dabida, who is trained by Alban de Mieulle and was ridden by Alberto Sanna to take third, both well held by the decisive winner.
Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al-Attiyah, QREC Chairman, awarded the Qatar Silver Sword.
Razy makes all in Qatar Silver Trophy
Razy (Amer x Raedah) landed the Qatar Silver Trophy, a 1600m contest for Local Purebred Arabians (Class 1) for four-year-olds and upwards, with six runners lining up, scoring by 1½ lengths. The seven-year-old grey gelding, racing in the colours of Wathnan Racing, is under the care of Alban de Mieulle, who saddled his second winner on the evening, and was ridden by Faleh Bughenaim, who completed a treble, delivering a controlled front-running display.
Razy went straight to the front and dictated throughout, with his stablemate Arman (Amer) tracking closely in second and Fatack Al Shahania (Burning Sand) just behind, the trio holding their positions through the early and middle stages. Turning into the straight, Razy remained in command, always keeping his nearest rivals at bay and maintaining a steady advantage to the line. Behind him, Arman looked set to complete a one-two for connections, but inside the final 200m Fatack Al Shahania produced a strong late run to close rapidly. Fatack Al Shahania, representing HE Sheikha Yasmeen bint Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Thani and from the Rudy Nerbonne yard, with Lukas Delozier aboard, edged past Arman close home to take second by a nose. Arman, also racing for Wathnan Racing and from the Alban de Mieulle stable, with Soufiane Saadi in the saddle, finished third after setting the pace in behind the winner, completing a tight battle for the minor honours.
Abdulrahman bin Mansour Al Mansour, QREC Board Member, presented the Qatar Silver Trophy.
Sham Alghania seals series in hard-fought finish
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Sham Alghania (Luigi x Taroub Al Shaqab) landed the finale of the Purebred Arabian Show Horse Series over 1200m for horses and mares aged four and above, with seven runners going to post, prevailing by a head. The four-year-old bay colt, racing for Ali Nasser Al-Nuaimi, is trained by Abdulrahman Abdulwahed and was ridden by Youssef Lachhab, maintaining a perfect record from two starts to be crowned champion of the inaugural series.
Sham Alghania tracked the early leader Sahm Al Bawadi (Sharaf Al Shahania), with Nibras Al Marroona (Hilal Al Waab) close behind, the trio dominating from the outset. The order remained unchanged through the early and middle stages, with the leading three clear of the remainder. In the straight, Sham Alghania and Nibras Al Marroona pulled clear to settle the race between them, engaging in a sustained duel to the line while Sahm Al Bawadi held third well behind the front pair, who had drawn significantly clear. Sham Alghania held on under pressure to edge the verdict in a tight finish, confirming his class in a more testing contest this time. Nibras Al Marroona, representing Hassan bin Ali Hassan Al Matwi and from the Mohammed Hassan Al Matwi yard, with Salman Fahad Al-Hajri aboard, was narrowly denied after a strong challenge, finishing 3 lengths ahead of Sahm Al Bawadi, who runs in the colours of Mansour Saeed Alhajri and is also prepared by the winning trainer, with Saleh Salem Al-Marri in the saddle. The third placed finished well clear of the remainder, with a further 10 lengths back to the next finisher.
Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al-Attiyah, QREC Chairman, crowned the winners of the finale of the Purebred Arabian Show Horse Series.
Victorious One steps up to land Al Wajba Trophy
Victorious One (Siyouni x Queen Daenerys) landed the Al Wajba Trophy, a 2000m contest for three-year-old Thoroughbreds (Class 1), with 11 runners going to post, scoring by 2 lengths. The bay gelding, racing for Al Wasmiyah Farm, doubled his tally on his sixth start in Qatar, stepping forward from a recent runner-up effort. He is trained by Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki and was ridden by Faleh Bughenaim, who completed a quick-fire double.
Victorious One tracked the long-time leader Just A City Boy (Sioux Nation), with A Bit Of Spirit (Palace Pier) close up and Reverberate (Night Of Thunder) in midfield, the order remaining steady through the early and middle stages. On straightening, Victorious One moved up smoothly to challenge, soon reeling in the leader before quickening clear. He asserted with authority in the closing stages, settling the race comfortably. Reverberate, representing Fahad Ali Al-Arumaihi and from the Hamad Al-Jehani yard, with Pierre Charles Boudot aboard, finished strongly to take second, just a short head in front of A Bit Of Spirit, who runs in the colours of Sheikh Mohammed Salman Al-Thani and is prepared by Gassim Al Ghazali, with Salem Alajmi in the saddle, both holding their positions, battling it out to the line, without threatening the winner.
Ahmed Amanalla Al-Sheebani, QREC Deputy CEO, presented the Al Wajba Trophy.
Equinoxe extends legacy with 6th straight triumph
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Equinoxe (Atlantic Air x Thurayya) landed the Local Thoroughbred Cup over 2000m (Class 1) for four-year-olds and upwards, with seven going to post, scoring by 1½ lengths. The nine-year-old bay horse, racing for Wathnan Racing, is trained by Alban de Mieulle and was ridden by Faleh Bughenaim, regaining the winning thread after a recent placed effort and adding a 25th victory to his outstanding record. In a feat for the ages, he recorded a sixth consecutive success in this race, once again confirming his status as an icon of consistency and class.
Rayyan Bu Thaila (Bated Breath) set the early pace ahead of Alwaad (Trade Storm), who took over approaching halfway, with the tempo remaining steady through the middle stages. Equinoxe was settled off the pace, travelling comfortably and waiting to be produced. Inside the final 200m, Equinoxe unleashed his trademark late surge, sweeping past the leaders to take control and assert with authority. Saida (Migwar), racing for Time Form Syndicate and trained by Hamad Al-Jehani, with Saleh Faraj Al-Otaibi aboard, finished strongly from the rear to take second, ½ length ahead of her stablemate Maysara (Dubday), who also closed well for Mohammed Abdulhadi Al-Hajri under Pierre Charles Boudot to take third, both making late headway without threatening the winner.
Saad Ali Al Kubaisi, Deputy Director of the QREC Registration and Studbook Department, awarded the Local Thoroughbred Cup.
Taxiwala lands Sealine Sprint Cup
Taxiwala (Holy Roman Emperor x It’s True) landed the Sealine Sprint Cup, a Thoroughbred Open Race over 1200m (Class 2) for three-year-olds and upwards, with eight lining up, scoring by 1½ lengths. The nine-year-old bay gelding, owned and trained by Osama Omer Al-Dafea, was ridden by Alberto Sanna, who completed a quick-fire double in the opening two races. In doing so, the veteran gelding returned to winning form after two placed efforts and once again highlighting his durability.
Taxiwala raced in second behind the early leader Weissmuller (Bungleinthejungle), with Ends Of The Earth (Territories) close behind, the order unchanged through the early and middle stages. Inside the final 300m, Taxiwala moved up strongly to challenge and soon took control, pulling clear with authority to settle the outcome. Thunder Flow (Night Of Thunder), in the colours of Ahmed Hassan Al Malki Al Jehani and trained by Hamad Al-Jehani, with Pierre Charles Boudot aboard, finished strongly from the rear to take second, 2 lengths ahead of Townsend Manor (Advertise), who also came from off the pace for Al Rufaa Racing. He is prepared by Gassim Al Ghazali and was partnered by Marco Casamento to take third.
Rashid Saed Adiba, Head of the QREC Racing Operations Section, presented the Sealine Sprint Cup.
Kendah Al Shahania storms home to extend winning run
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Earlier on the day, Kendah Al Shahania (Mister Ginoux x R B Kindle) landed the opening race, a Local Purebred Arabian Handicap (65–85) over 1600m (Class 4) for four-year-olds and upwards, with 13 runners in the fray, pulling clear by 2¾ lengths. The four-year-old bay filly, in the colours of HE Sheikha Iman bint Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Thani, is prepared by Rudy Nerbonne and had Alberto Sanna in the saddle, recording a third successive victory from four starts. Her only defeat came on debut when narrowly, by just a neck, denied in the Oaks, further underlining her potential as a top-class performer in the making.
From barrier 10, Kendah Al Shahania was settled towards the rear as Al Wasmi (AF AlBahar) set a strong tempo, tracked by RM Wadha (Mared Al Sahra), Zameer (Nizam) and Concorde (AF AlBahar). The order held through the early and middle stages, with the leader maintaining a clear advantage. On straightening, RM Wadha moved up to take over, with Zameer pressing alongside while Al Wasmi began to weaken. Approaching the 300m marker, Zameer edged in front and looked set to go on, with RM Wadha and Concorde still within striking distance. Inside the final 150m, Kendah Al Shahania produced a powerful late burst from the rear, sweeping past her rivals in a matter of strides to take control. She quickly opened up a decisive gap in the closing stages, asserting her superiority with an impressive finishing effort. Zameer, representing Wathnan Racing and from the Alban de Mieulle yard, with Soufiane Saadi aboard, held on for second, 1¼ lengths ahead of his stablemate, and in the same colours, Amersun (Amer), who finished strongly from off the pace under Abdulla Rashid Al-Hajri to take third in the same colours.
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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.
