Doha Bu Thaila and Al Faisal dead-heat in Al Rayyan Breeders Cup.. Hamad Al-Attiyah crowns winners on Day 3 of HH The Amir Sword Festival
Doha – Mdmar – Mohamed Saad
Photos by jhuim
The 50th race meeting of the 2025/26 season took place on Friday, 13 February, at Al Rayyan Racecourse on the turf, staging the third day of Qatar’s premier racing event, the HH The Amir Sword Festival. The eight-race programme featured a high-class sequence of Cup contests across both codes, producing a blend of commanding performances, late drama and a notable revised result following a successful objection, all building towards a thrilling climax in the feature races.
Across the eight races, the winners in order were Thunder Flow opening the card in the Thoroughbred Sprint Cup, Khaddah following up in the Purebred Arabian 4yo Cup, Ghara striking in the Purebred Arabian Filly & Mare Seada Cup, Warming powering home in the Thoroughbred Filly & Mare Oryx Cup, Fatack Al Shahania snatching the Gulf Cup late, Rasasi asserting in the Listed Purebred Arabian Sprint Cup, Zah’ran Al Shahania awarded the Al Zubara Cup after objection and Al Faisal together with Doha Bu Thaila sharing top honours in the Al Rayyan Breeders Cup.
Al Faisal and Doha Bu Thaila share Al Rayyan Breeders Cup in dead heat
Al Faisal (Trade Storm x Farendole) and Doha Bu Thaila (Harry Angel x Always Thankful) could not be separated in the eighth race on the card, the Al Rayyan Breeders Cup for Local Thoroughbreds aged four and upwards over 2000m, as a gripping finish resulted in a dead heat after a photo confirmed both hit the line together. The pair shared top honours following a dramatic contest, with Al Faisal, racing for Al Emadi Racing and trained by Khalifa Hamed Nasser Al Sawai, partnered by Maxime Guyon, and Doha Bu Thaila, carrying the colours of Wathnan Racing, trained by Alban de Mieulle, who completed a double on the card, and ridden by Soufiane Saadi,
In the early stages, Al Faisal briefly took up the running before being eased back into midfield as the tempo settled while Doha Bu Thaila tracked the leaders throughout, always travelling strongly within striking distance. The field remained closely grouped through the middle section as positions tightened approaching the home turn. Entering the home straight, Doha Bu Thaila pressed forward sharply and struck the front, looking the likely winner as she edged clear. However, Al Faisal unleashed a powerful late surge from behind, rapidly closing the gap in the final strides and lunging at the line to join her exactly on the post, producing a dramatic dead heat. Equinoxe (Atlantic Air), representing Wathnan Racing and trained by Alban de Mieulle as well, stayed on under James Doyle to take second, finishing 1¾ lengths ahead of Rayyan Bu Thaila. The latter, owned by Injaaz Stud and prepared by Jihad El Ahmad, kept on under Christophe Soumillon to secure third.
Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al-Attiyah, Chairman of Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club, awarded the Al Rayyan Breeders Cup following the race.
Zah’ran Al Shahania awarded Al Zubara Cup after objection
Zah’ran Al Shahania (Azadi x Zahwah) was awarded the seventh race on the card, the Al Zubara Cup for Local Purebred Arabians aged four and upwards over 2000m, Class 1, contested by six runners, after the Stewards upheld an objection for interference against Aneed Al Shahania (Azadi), who had passed the post first. The five-year-old dark bay gelding, carrying the colours of North Racing and trained by Hamad Al-Jehani, preserved his unbeaten record with a fourth win from as many starts, closing strongly from off the pace to be promoted to victory by the revised margin under Pierre-Charles Boudot, who completed a treble on the day, while his trainer registered a fourth success on the card.
Aneed Al Shahania broke sharply and dictated throughout, setting a controlled tempo and appearing on course for a pillar-to-post success, in a bid to defend his title as last year’s winner, as the field turned for home. Zah’ran Al Shahania, settled fourth in the small field, tracked the leader’s every move and began to close steadily in the straight, reducing the deficit with each stride as the line approached. At the finish, Aneed Al Shahania was first past the post after making all, with Zah’ran Al Shahania closing rapidly in the final strides. However, following an objection and subsequent inquiry, the Stewards reversed the placings, awarding the race to Zah’ran Al Shahania. Aneed Al Shahania, owned by H.E. Sheikha Reem bint Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani and trained by Rudy Nerbonne, set the pace throughout and, after the amendment, was placed second under Lukas Delozier. Razy (Amer), representing Wathnan Racing and prepared by Alban de Mieulle, took third under Soufiane Saadi.
H.E. Mansoor bin Ebrahim bin Saad Al Mahmoud, Minister of Public Health, presented the Al Zubara Cup following the race.
Thunder Flow streaks clear in Thoroughbred Sprint Cup
Thunder Flow (Night Of Thunder x Gravity Flow) made a striking start to proceedings in the first race on the card, the Thoroughbred Sprint Cup (80–100) for 4yos and upwards over 1200m, Class 2, contested by 11 runners. The five-year-old chestnut gelding, carrying the colours of Ahmed Hassan Al Malki Al Jehani and trained by Hamad Al-Jehani, surged clear in the home straight to score decisively by 5¾ lengths under Pierre-Charles Boudot, producing a powerful finishing burst after travelling in mid-division early.
Al Mundher (Toronado) broke sharply from barrier one and went straight to the front, setting a strong pace through the early and middle stages. Thunder Flow settled in midfield and travelled comfortably as the field approached the home turn while Jayyash (Siyouni) held a similar position and waited to deliver his challenge later. Approaching the bend, Thunder Flow began to close rapidly on the long-time leader and, once in the home straight, quickened past him with authority. He soon opened daylight on the field and continued to extend his advantage, leaving his rivals to fight out the minor honours. Al Mundher, owned by Nasser Owaida Salem Al Hajri and trained by Owaida Salem Al Hajri, led from the start and maintained a strong gallop before being headed approaching the home turn, staying on under Abdulla Rashid Al-Hajri to take second, finishing a neck ahead of Jayyash. The latter, representing Nasser Saif Al-Kubaisi and prepared by Mohammed Al Ghazali, raced in midfield throughout before accelerating in the home straight under Oisin Murphy to press strongly for the minor placings in a tight finish.
Guillaume de Saint-Seine, President of France Galop, presented the Thoroughbred Sprint Cup following the race.
Khaddah follows up in Purebred Arabian 4yo Cup
Khaddah (Azadi x Hamiyat El Izz) confirmed his progress in the second race on the card, the Purebred Arabian 4yo Cup over 1750m, Class 2, contested by six runners. The grey colt made it two straight victories with a composed display, quickening clear in the home straight to score cosily by two lengths for Wathnan Racing. Trained by Alban de Mieulle, he was ridden by James Doyle. It marked a second consecutive renewal of the Cup for both owner and trainer.
Guindol Dei Ribo (Dahess) began prominently before being relegated towards the rear through the early and middle stages while Dabida (Divamer) was also held up off the pace as the field settled into rhythm. Khaddah travelled comfortably within striking distance and was produced approaching the home turn. Rounding the bend, Khaddah responded generously when asked and quickly asserted once straightened for home, stretching clear to put the result beyond doubt. Dabida made steady headway into contention and pressed strongly in the straight, but the winner already had matters in hand and was always holding his pursuer. Dabida, also racing for Wathnan Racing and trained by Alban de Mieulle, was kept towards the rear early before progressing approaching the home turn and pressing hard under Soufiane Saadi to secure second, completing a one-two for the owner and the trainer, finishing three-quarters of a length ahead of Guindol Dei Ribo. The latter, owned by Al Hajaj Farm and prepared by Hamad Al-Jehani, began prominently before being shuffled back and then rallied in the home straight under Szczepan Mazur to take third.
Genny Haynes, ARO Chief Executive Officer, awarded the Purebred Arabian 4yo Cup following the race.
Ghara overcomes wide draw in Filly & Mare Seada Cup
Ghara (Azadi x Jade Du Paon) produced a determined display in the third race on the card, the Purebred Arabian Filly & Mare Seada Cup for 4yos and upwards over 1750m, Class 2, contested by 12 runners. The five-year-old bay mare, racing for Al Wasmiyah Farm and trained by Hamad Al-Jehani, overcame a wide draw in stall 11 to race prominently throughout before taking command in the straight and staying on resolutely to score by two lengths under Pierre-Charles Boudot, with rider and trainer completing an early double on the card.
From the outset, Ghara was urged forward from her outside gate to secure a prominent position and travelled strongly just behind the pace through the early and middle stages. Intisar De Monlau (Al Mamun Monlau) was settled towards the rear, conserving energy while Lady De Faust (AF Al Buraq), drawn widest in stall 12, was also held up off the speed as the field approached the home turn. Turning into the straight, Ghara struck the front and quickly established control. Intisar De Monlau produced a strong late surge from the rear, but her challenge came too late to threaten the winner, who maintained her advantage with a sustained effort to seal a comfortable success. Intisar De Monlau, owned by Wathnan Racing and trained by Alban de Mieulle, produced a strong late run under James Doyle to take second, finishing 3½ lengths ahead of Lady De Faust. The latter, representing Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari and prepared by Julian Smart, stayed on under Tom Marquand to secure third, but the first two had already established a decisive margin.
Peter Pond, President of the World Arabian Horse Organisation (WAHO), presented the Purebred Arabian Filly & Mare Seada Cup following the race.
Warming surges late in Thoroughbred Filly & Mare Oryx Cup
Warming (Too Darn Hot x Cape Bunting) continued her progressive run of form in the fourth race on the card, the Thoroughbred Filly & Mare Oryx Cup for 3yos and upwards over 1750m, Class 2, contested by 14 runners. The five-year-old bay mare, racing for Khalid bin Ghanem Al-Kuwari and trained by Hamad Al-Jehani, secured her second victory from four starts this campaign, sweeping from the rear to take command inside the final 200m and drawing clear to score by 2½ lengths under Christophe Soumillon, with her trainer completing a treble at this stage of the card.
Kerindia (Cotai Glory), last year’s winner, broke well and went straight to the front, dictating the tempo throughout and still travelling strongly as the field approached the home turn. Its All Peachy (Shaman) raced in midfield and tracked the pace without urgency while Warming was settled towards the rear for much of the journey, conserving energy as the race developed. Turning into the straight, Kerindia continued to lead and looked set to defend her crown, but Warming was unleashed from the rear and produced a striking turn of foot. Inside the final 200m she swept past the long-time leader and quickly asserted, drawing away with authority to settle matters decisively. Its All Peachy, owned by Al Jeryan Stud and trained by M.H.K. Al Attiyah, travelled in midfield before quickening sharply in the home straight under Szczepan Mazur to secure second, finishing a short head ahead of Kerindia. The latter, representing Injaaz Stud and prepared by Zuhair Mohsen, made most of the running and battled on bravely under Pierre-Charles Boudot to take third after appearing set to retain her title until the closing stages.
Fardan Fahad Alfardan, Chief Operating Officer, Wahet Al Shaflahiya and Founder of Safwa, awarded the Thoroughbred Filly & Mare Oryx Cup following the race.
Fatack Al Shahania snatches Gulf Cup late
Fatack Al Shahania (Burning Sand x Fiha) enhanced his growing reputation in the fifth race on the card, the Gulf Cup for Purebred Arabians bred in the GCC over 1600m, Class 1, contested by 13 runners. The five-year-old grey, carrying the colours of H.E. Sheikha Yasmeen bint Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Thani and trained by Rudy Nerbonne, recorded his third win from six starts and maintained his record of never finishing outside the first two, sweeping from the rear to prevail by a quarter of a length under Lukas Delozier.
AJS Kabul (AF AlBahar) raced prominently throughout in second before striking the front on entering the home straight and looking the likely winner while Arman (Amer) travelled in midfield and tracked the pace without urgency. Fatack Al Shahania was held up at the rear through the early and middle stages, conserving energy as the tempo unfolded ahead of him. In the straight, AJS Kabul pressed on and briefly asserted, but Fatack Al Shahania produced a sharp burst in the concluding stages, sweeping past the leaders in the final strides to snatch victory close home. AJS Kabul, owned by Al Jeryan Stud and trained by M.H.K. Al Attiyah, who saddled last year’s winner AJS Jassas (AF AlBahar) in the same colours, raced prominently throughout before taking the lead in the straight and staying on under Oisin Murphy to take second, finishing three lengths ahead of Arman. The latter, representing Wathnan Racing and prepared by Alban de Mieulle, travelled in midfield and closed sharply under James Doyle to secure third, but did not threaten the first two.
Abdulaziz Al Rashid, Corporate Relationship Manager of Baladna Food Industries Co., awarded the Gulf Cup following the race.
Rasasi quickens clear in Listed Purebred Arabian Sprint Cup
Rasasi (AF AlBahar x Safya) produced a polished performance in the sixth race on the card, the Listed Purebred Arabian Sprint Cup for 4yos and upwards over 1200m, contested by 13 runners. The five-year-old grey, carrying the colours of Al Rahmani Racing and trained in the UAE by Ahmed Al Mehairbi, secured his third victory from five career starts, travelling sweetly in second before quickening to the front in the home straight and drawing clear to score comfortably by three lengths under Christophe Soumillon, who completed a double on the card.
Posuelo Py (AF AlBahar), last year’s winner, led through the early stages before being eased back into midfield as the tempo developed while Nah’ash Al Shahania (AF Al Buraq) was settled at the rear as the field approached the home turn. Rasasi remained close to the pace throughout, always travelling strongly within striking distance of the leaders. Once in the straight, Rasasi was produced to challenge and quickly asserted, stretching clear with authority as the race entered its closing stages. Posuelo Py rallied again after being briefly shuffled back while Nah’ash Al Shahania began to make late headway from the rear. Posuelo Py, owned by Ibrahim Mohammed Al-Fadala and trained by Hamad Al-Jehani, took second under Pierre-Charles Boudot, finishing 2¼ lengths ahead of Nah’ash Al Shahania. The latter, representing H.E. Sheikha Reem bint Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Thani and prepared by Rudy Nerbonne, travelled at the rear before producing a late surge under Lukas Delozier to secure third.
Mr Bakhromjon Gaziev, President of the Uzbekistan Equestrian Federation, presented the Purebred Arabian Sprint Cup following the race.
