Competitive racing brings curtain down on season
Mdmar – Doha – MohamedSaad
Photo Juhaim
A race meeting was held at Al Rayyan on dirt on Wednesday, 29 April. The eight-race card was added to the programme on the final day of the 2025/26 season to provide additional opportunities for lightly raced horses. It followed a similar fixture staged on 18 April.
The day’s contests produced a series of competitive finishes and notable performances across the card. Mushahar Al Shajaa finished best to open his account, AJS Burkaan built on the lead to break through and Awayed Alseej dominated from the front in emphatic fashion. Chrome powered clear to return to winning ways, Rose Of Spain built on recent progress to shed her maiden tag and Sahrawi dug deep to edge a tight finish. Little Heron continued her improvement to land a hard-fought success while Estithmar closed the card with a strong late run to end the season on a high.
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Mushahar Al Shajaa finishes best to open account
Mushahar Al Shajaa (Jenjal x Marfougah) landed the opening race, a Local Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate over 1200m for three-year-olds, with nine runners lining up, scoring by ¾ length. The bay colt, racing for Abdulaziz Saleh Al-Otaibi, is trained by Mohammed Hassan Al Matwi and was ridden by Abdulla Rashid Al-Hajri. He put his previous four runs behind him and delivered his best performance so far to get off the mark at the fifth attempt.
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From barrier 4, Mushahar Al Shajaa broke well before being eased to midfield where he remained through the early and middle stages. Katara FBR (Al Mamun Monlau) took the early lead from Bint Tayf (Tayf) and held it to the top of the straight. Assufurrat (Al Mountasser) and Murabet Al Meydan (Sand Victor) took turns chasing in second, just ahead of Mister Aziz (Mister Ginoux). On straightening, Assufurrat moved up to take the lead as the long-time leader faded. Murabet Al Meydan and Mister Aziz followed while Mushahar Al Shajaa began to close along the rail. Inside the final 200m, Assufurrat looked set to go on. Mushahar Al Shajaa, however, continued to build momentum. He closed strongly and joined her inside the final 100m. He then found more to edge ahead inside the final 50m and secure victory. Assufurrat, representing Abdulla Abdulmonem Mohammed Al-Ibrahim and from the Hadi Al Ramzani yard, with Alberto Sanna aboard, finished second, 3 lengths clear of Mister Aziz. The latter, who runs for Ateeq Hamad Ateeq Al Marri and is trained by Gassim Al Ghazali, with Marco Casamento in the saddle, stayed on to take third.
AJS Burkaan builds on lead to break through
AJS Burkaan (AF AlBahar x Karima) landed the second race, a Purebred Arabian Handicap (0–55) over 1900m for four-year-olds and upwards, with a field of 12 runners, scoring by 2½ lengths. The five-year-old grey horse, racing for Salem Faisal Al-Shahwani, is trained by Dr Fahad Salman Al-Hajri and was ridden by Mohammed Moussa. He produced the best performance of his career, breaking his maiden at the 13th career start.
From barrier 3, AJS Burkaan travelled prominently, tracking the early leader Casimir De Codines (Majd Al Arab). Around 1000m from home, he moved forward to take the lead ahead of Casimir De Codines and Thajaj La Gloire (Raddad). Once in front, he controlled the race. Approaching the home turn, Casimir De Codines weakened. Midhal (Mister Ginoux) improved into second while Jabal Tariq (Almas), who had been last, made rapid progress into third. Fattan (Dahor De Brugere) and Al Wishaah (Al Mamun Monlau) also began to close from the rear. Inside the final 300m, AJS Burkaan still held the advantage. The order behind him began to change as Fattan and Al Wishaah emerged as the main challengers. They moved into second and third inside the final 200m and briefly looked set to test the leader. However, AJS Burkaan found more inside the final 100m. He extended his advantage and went on to score decisively. Fattan, representing Injaaz Stud and trained by Ahmed Al Jehani, with Saleh Faraj Al-Otaibi aboard, finished second, 2 lengths clear of Al Wishaah, who runs for Al Rakaben Stud and is also trained by Dr Fahad Salman Al-Hajri, with Salem Alajmi in the saddle, stayed on to take third.
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Awayed Alseej dominates to open account in style
Awayed Alseej (Time Test x Shared Experience) landed the third race, a Local Thoroughbred Maiden Plate over 1700m for three-year-olds, with four runners going to post, drawing clear by 9 lengths. The bay colt, owned and trained by Jassim bin Hamad Al-Atteya, was ridden by Marco Casamento. He showed a completely different attitude from his debut and broke his maiden on second career start. He dominated throughout and ended the season on a high note, shaping as one to follow next term.
Awayed Alseej broke sharply and went straight to the front. Lghuwair Katara (Noor Al Hawa), Ponfex (Ponfeigh) and Muhra (Noor Al Hawa) followed in that order. Muhra was initially detached, but closed up approaching the second turn. Approaching the third turn, Lghuwair Katara moved up to challenge and briefly took the lead. Awayed Alseej responded immediately and regained the advantage passing the 800m marker. Around the home turn, he increased the tempo, with the field behind attempting to respond. On straightening, Awayed Alseej quickly put the race to bed. He accelerated further and extended his lead with every stride. Passing the 300m marker, he was clear and running on his own. He maintained the strong gallop to record an emphatic victory. The field behind battled for the minor honours, but none of them was a match for the runaway winner. Ponfex, representing Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik and trained by Debbie Mountain, with Mohammed Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik aboard, finished second, a length clear of the rest. Muhra, who runs for Nasser Owaida Salem Al Hajri and is trained by Owaida Salem Al Hajri, with Abdulla Rashid Al-Hajri in the saddle, took third, just a neck ahead of Lghuwair Katara, who finished fourth for Katara Stud under Saleh Faraj Al-Otaibi.
Chrome powers clear to end wait for win
Chrome (Pharfadet x Thekrayaat) landed the fourth race, a Local Purebred Arabian Handicap (0–55) over 1700m for four-year-olds and upwards, with 10 declared runners, drawing clear by 4 lengths. The nine-year-old bay gelding, racing for Abdulla Abdulmonem Mohammed Al-Ibrahim, is trained by Hadi Al Ramzani and was ridden by Alberto Sanna. He built on recent efforts to return to winning form for the first time this season and record a ninth career success.
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Chrome jumped well from barrier 1 but was soon eased back towards the rear. Molheb Al Meqdam (Dahash) set the early pace, followed by Hdeedan (Mu’azzaz), with Egaab Zakhir (La Hoor), Battash Al Shahania (Mahabb) and Khaeer Al Shahania (Harran) tracking behind, the order largely unchanged through the early and middle stages. Around the home turn, Hdeedan pressed to take the lead, but Molheb Al Meqdam quickly responded and regained control. Chrome began to improve from midfield and moved closer entering the straight. In the home straight, Egaab Zakhir briefly took over as Hdeedan faded. Chrome continued to close and moved into contention from off the pace. Inside the final 200m, he produced a decisive turn of foot to strike the front, quickly pulled clear and extended his advantage to win comfortably. Molheb Al Meqdam, representing Rashid Faleh Al-Hajri and from the Owaida Salem Al Hajri yard, with Abdulla Rashid Al-Hajri aboard, finished second, ½ length clear of Khaeer Al Shahania. The latter runs for Mansoor Mesfer Al-Shahwani and is trained by Abdulla Mesfer Al Shahwani, with Youssef Lachhab in the saddle, took third, just a neck ahead of Tabaa Zakhir, with a further head back to Egaab Zakhir, all involved in a tight battle for the minor honours.
Rose Of Spain builds on progress to break through
Rose Of Spain (Phoenix Of Spain x Picco Uno) landed the fifth race, a Thoroughbred Maiden Plate over 1700m for three-year-olds and upwards, in a field of 12, scoring by 2½ lengths. The grey filly, racing for Osama Omer Al-Dafea, is trained by Hadi Al Ramzani, who completed a quick-fire double, and was ridden by Ali Zaalan. She had shown marked improvement when finishing third last time on dirt over 1200m. She carried that progress forward to get off the mark at the 12th attempt.
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From stall 1, Rose Of Spain settled in midfield through the early stages. Eddeki (Pivotal) set the pace ahead of Combat Soldier (Soldier’s Call) and Wellbottom (Dubawi), who exchanged second and third, with Pour La Vie (Time Test) close behind. Approaching the home turn, Rose Of Spain began to improve and quickly moved into fourth. The order at the front remained unchanged around the turn and into the straight. Passing the 300m marker, Rose Of Spain responded well to pressure and showed a sharp turn of foot to take the lead. She quickly established a clear advantage and was not for catching, holding on strongly for a decisive success. Pour La Vie, representing HE Meshaal bin Ali Al-Attiyah and trained by Mohammed Balasim Al Jumaili, with Saleh Faraj Al-Otaibi aboard, finished second, a short head ahead of Wellbottom, who runs for Al Ghazali Stud and is prepared by Gassim Al Ghazali, with Marco Casamento in the saddle, took third after staying on well.
Sahrawi digs deep to edge hard-fought finish
Sahrawi (Mared Al Sahra x Tasabeeh Al Hana) landed the sixth race, a Local Purebred Arabian Handicap (0–55) over 1200m for four-year-olds and upwards, with 13 in the line-up, getting up by a short head. The four-year-old bay gelding, racing for Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik, is trained by Ahmed Kobeissi and was ridden by Mohammed Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik. He produced the best performance of his career, breaking his maiden at the seventh time of asking.
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From the widest draw, Sahrawi was settled at the rear in the early stages. Al Molheb Zakhir (Meghwaar) set the pace for most of the race ahead of Kanz Al Adeed (AF AlBahar) and Malzoom FBR (Harran ASF). Midway, Sahrawi began to improve and moved into midfield. Approaching the home turn, Malzoom FBR accelerated to lead and Noorah Al Hadi (AF AlBahar) improved from midfield into third. On straightening, Al Molheb Zakhir regained the lead as Sahrawi continued to close and moved into fourth. Inside the final 200m, Al Molheb Zakhir still held the advantage and looked in control. Sahrawi responded strongly to pressure and joined him. The pair raced head to head for several strides. Sahrawi, however, found more in the final strides and edged ahead to secure victory. Al Molheb Zakhir, representing Hassan bin Ali Hassan Al Matwi and from the Mohammed Hassan Al Matwi yard, with Alberto Sanna aboard, finished second, 4 lengths clear of the rest of the field. Noorah Al Hadi, who runs for Salmeen bin Abdulla Al-Jabri and is trained by Hadi Al Ramzani, with Marco Casamento in the saddle, stayed on for third, he did not represent any danger for the first two, who settled the race between them in the closing stages.
Little Heron digs deep to land tight finish
Little Heron (Showcasing x La Petite Reine) landed the penultimate race on the card, a Thoroughbred Handicap (45–65) over 1900m for four-year-olds and upwards, with 12 taking part, getting up by a head. The five-year-old bay mare, racing for Al Ghazali Stud, is trained by Gassim Al Ghazali and was ridden by Marco Casamento, who completed a double on the day. She built on a strong runner-up effort two weeks ago over 1700m on this course. She turned that progress into a first win of the campaign.
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From barrier 12, Little Heron was eased towards the rear. Billabong (Oasis Dream) set the pace through the early and middle stages, with Acclaim To Royalty (Acclamation) and Katleiya (Gleneagles) in pursuit. Midway, Little Heron improved into midfield and continued to progress towards the leaders. Approaching the home turn, Perfect Approach (New Approach) moved up to take the lead ahead of Billabong, with Little Heron improving into third. On straightening, Acclaim To Royalty, who had been held up, accelerated to join the leading group. Inside the final 200m, Little Heron produced a sharp turn of foot to take the lead. She was immediately challenged by Perfect Approach and Acclaim To Royalty, with the three engaging in a sustained battle. Inside the final 100m, the contest narrowed to Little Heron and Perfect Approach, with Acclaim To Royalty still close behind. Little Heron dug deep and found more to edge ahead in the closing strides of the closest finishe of the evening. Perfect Approach, representing Omer Seyfi Aktulun and also trained by Gassim Al Ghazali, with Salem Alajmi aboard, finished second. Acclaim To Royalty, who runs for Fahad Salem Al-Hajri and is trained by Mohammed Hassan Al Matwi, with Alberto Sanna in the saddle, stayed on for third as he finished ¾ length behind the runner-up.
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Estithmar finishes best to close card on high
Estithmar (Dariyan x Sarlima) landed the final race on the card and the 2025/26 season, a Thoroughbred Handicap (0–60) over 1700m for three-year-olds and upwards, with a field of 10 runners, scoring by 1½ lengths. The five-year-old bay gelding, racing for Injaaz Stud, is trained by Jihad El Ahmad and was ridden by Alberto Sanna, who completed a double on the card. He returned to form at the right time and ended the season on a high note, recording a third win of the campaign and of his career.
Estithmar was held up towards the rear after the start as Sheikha SBS (War Of Will) set the pace ahead of Margesson (Pride Of Dubai), Waqif (U S Navy Flag) and Just A City Boy (Sioux Nation), with the order largely unchanged through the early and middle stages. Passing the 800m marker, Estithmar began to improve gradually and moved into midfield. Just A City Boy also advanced, taking third approaching the home turn and then second. Around the turn, Margesson briefly took over, but Just A City Boy quickly regained the lead. Inside the final 200m, Just A City Boy still held the advantage, but Estithmar continued to build momentum and produced a strong run to take over inside the final 100m, using his reserves to secure victory. Just A City Boy, representing Alghazali Motors Racing and trained by Mohammed Al Ghazali, with Salem Alajmi aboard, finished second, just a nose ahead of My George. The latter, who runs for Abdulrahman Fahad Al-Attiyah and is also trained by Mohammed Al Ghazali, with Marco Casamento in the saddle, finished strongly from the rear to take third after following a similar route to the winner.
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