Dubawi Spectre and Mared Al Jasra star on Day 1of HH The Amir Sword Festival
Doha – Mdmar – Mohamed Saad
Photo by Juhaim
The 49th race meeting of the 2025/26 season was staged on Thursday, 12 February, at Al Rayyan Racecourse on the dirt, marking the second day of the HH The Amir Sword Festival. The eight-race card again centred on a full programme of cup contests, delivering a blend of authoritative victories, sustained late challenges and high-class performances as the Festival action gathered further momentum.
Across the eight races, the winners in order were Sha’alan opening the card in the Purebred Arabian Handicap Cup, Townsend Manor striking in the Sand Sprint Cup, Za’eer Al Shahania following up in the Middle Distance Cup, Calafiori asserting in the Thoroughbred Sand Championship Cup, Hay’er Al Shahania powering clear in the Local Purebred Arabian Sand Championship Cup, Maysara dominating the Local Thoroughbred Sand Championship Cup, Mared Al Jasra prevailing late in the Purebred Arabian Sand Championship Cup and Dubawi Spectre defending his crown in the Thoroughbred Sand Championship Cup. The last two races on the card were the day’s features, with each of them offering USD 110,000.
Dubawi Spectre defends crown in Thoroughbred Sand Championship Cup
Dubawi Spectre (Dubawi x Spectre) successfully retained his title in the eighth race on the card, the Thoroughbred Sand Championship Cup for 4yos and upwards over 1700m, Class 2, contested by nine runners and restricted to horses owned by Qatari subjects. The six-year-old bay gelding, racing for H.E. Mansoor bin Ebrahim Al-Mahmoud and trained by Gassim Al Ghazali, became the first horse to win the race twice, displaying trademark determination in the closing stages to prevail by ¾ of a length under Marco Casamento, who completed a quick-fire double, while his trainer secured a treble on the day.
Phoebus (Earthlight) set the pace for much of the contest, with Upton Park (Elm Park) tracking closely in second throughout the early and middle stages. Nuvolari (Time Test) travelled in midfield before improving approaching the home turn to move into third, positioning himself to challenge as the tempo lifted. Straightening for home, Nuvolari struck the front and engaged in a sustained duel with Dubawi Spectre, who responded gamely when asked for his effort. The pair drew clear of the remainder and battled stride for stride until inside the final 50m, where Dubawi Spectre dug deep to edge ahead and secure victory with authority.
Nuvolari, owned by Nibras Racing Syndicate and trained by Abdulla Al-Mulla, raced midfield before pressing forward approaching the home turn, taking the lead on entering the straight and battling the winner all the way to the final 50m under Marco Ghiani to take second, finishing seven lengths ahead of Upton Park. The latter, representing Mohammed Abdulhadi Al-Hajri and prepared by Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki, raced prominently in second throughout behind the long-time leader before finishing best of the rest under Tomas Lukasek, though well adrift of the first two.
Ahmed Amanalla Al-Sheebani, QREC Deputy CEO, awarded the Thoroughbred Sand Championship Cup following the race.
Mared Al Jasra denies leader late in Purebred Arabian Sand Championship Cup
Mared Al Jasra (Mared Al Sahra x Alghasa) timed his challenge to perfection in the seventh race on the card, the Purebred Arabian Sand Championship Cup for 4yos and upwards over 1700m, Class 2, contested by seven runners. The six-year-old grey, racing for Al Ghazali Stud and trained by Gassim Al Ghazali, broke from barrier two and tracked the pace throughout before wearing down the long-time leader in the closing strides to prevail by 1¼ lengths under Marco Casamento, giving his trainer a double on the day.
Kamun Du Nil (Al Mamun Monlau) was quickly into stride and set the pace from the outset, maintaining control through the early and middle stages with Mared Al Jasra shadowing him in second, always within striking distance. Burkan (Al Mourtajez) settled in fourth and travelled comfortably as the field remained compact approaching the home turn.
Turning into the straight, Kamun Du Nil attempted to kick clear, but Mared Al Jasra responded when asked and began to close relentlessly. Inside the final strides he edged past the leader and asserted close home to secure a determined victory. Kamun Du Nil, owned by Mubarak Ali Al-Nuaimi and trained by Hamad Al-Jehani, led for much of the contest before being reeled in late, staying on under Pierre-Charles Boudot to take second, finishing half a length ahead of Burkan. The latter, representing Al Rabban Racing and prepared by Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki, raced in fourth throughout before pressing hard in the home straight under Tomas Lukasek to secure third.
Ahmed Amanalla Al-Sheebani, QREC Deputy CEO, conferred the Purebred Arabian Sand Championship Cup following the race.
Sha’alan extends form streak in Purebred Arabian Handicap Cup
Sha’alan (Amer x Mizabelle) maintained his excellent run of form in the first race on the card, the Purebred Arabian Handicap Cup (70–90) for 4yos and upwards over 1900m, Class 3, contested by 11 runners. The eight-year-old grey gelding, representing Al Ghazali Stud and trained by Mohammed Al Ghazali, pressed forward from a wide draw to race prominently throughout before asserting rounding the home turn and quickening clear to score by four lengths under Soufiane Saadi, bringing up his second successive victory from three starts this season.
From the outset, Sha’alan was urged forward to secure a prominent position despite his wide gate (9), settling close to the speed as the field established rhythm through the early and middle stages. Al Kazim (Al Mamun Monlau) travelled comfortably in midfield while Lattam (No Risk Al Maury) was held up behind the centre of the pack as the tempo remained even. Approaching the home turn, Sha’alan moved smoothly into contention and soon seized control, straightening with a clear advantage.
Once in the home straight, he lengthened decisively and drew further away with every stride, putting the result beyond doubt well before the finish. Lattam, owned by Abdulrahman Fahad Al-Attiyah and trained by Hamad Al-Jehani, travelled behind midfield in the early stages before making gradual progress and pressing his challenge in the home straight, moving from third into second under Pierre-Charles Boudot, finishing 1¾ lengths ahead of Al Kazim. The latter, carrying the colours of Sheikh Ahmad bin Mohamed bin Faleh Al-Thani and prepared by Gassim Al Ghazali, travelled in midfield throughout and finished strongly to take third.
Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi, QREC Racing Manager, awarded the Purebred Arabian Handicap Cup following the race.
Townsend Manor rallies late in Sand Sprint Cup
Townsend Manor (Advertise x Fen Breeze) returned to winning form in the second race on the card, the Sand Sprint Cup, a Thoroughbred Handicap (85–105) for 4yos and upwards over 1200m, Class 2, contested by five runners, but run at a searching tempo that reflected the field’s competitive ratings. The five-year-old bay gelding, owned by Al Rufaa Racing and trained by Gassim Al Ghazali, built on a recent runner-up effort to record his eighth career victory, quickening to the front inside the final 200m before holding on gamely to score by a quarter of a length under Maxime Guyon.
Safwan (Wootton Bassett) broke well and raced prominently throughout, alternating between first and second alongside Weissmuller (Bungleinthejungle) as the leading pair ensured a strong early gallop. Townsend Manor tracked them closely from just behind the pace, travelling smoothly within striking distance while Return To Senders (Sir Prancealot) was settled at the rear as the field remained tightly grouped through the middle stages. Turning for home, Safwan looked a likely winner as he pressed on strongly in front, but Townsend Manor was angled out and asked to quicken. Responding immediately, he surged past inside the final 200m and dug in under pressure to repel his rival’s challenge, maintaining a narrow advantage all the way to the line. Safwan, representing Al Shaqab Racing and trained by Jean de Mieulle, battled on bravely under Pierre-Charles Boudot to take second, finishing 3½ lengths ahead of Return To Senders. The latter, owned by Al Eida Racing and also prepared by Gassim Al Ghazali, travelled at the rear throughout before finishing best of the rest under Marco Casamento, though he never posed a serious threat to the eventaul leading pair.
Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi, QREC Racing Manager, handed over the Sand Sprint Cup following the race.
Za’eer Al Shahania seals Middle Distance Cup late
Za’eer Al Shahania (Burning Sand x Ezaajh) returned to winning ways in the third race on the card, the Middle Distance Cup, a Local Purebred Arabian Handicap (85–105) for 5yos and upwards over 1700m. The five-year-old grey gelding, owned and trained by Osama Omer Al-Dafea, followed two placed efforts with a composed success to record his fourth win of the campaign, delivered from off the pace to score cosily by 1½ lengths under Maxime Guyon, who completed a quick-fire double.
Galeb Al Shahania (Burning Sand) set the tempo from the outset, with Bakir (Amer) travelling in second throughout as he tracked the long-time leader through the early and middle stages. Za’eer Al Shahania was ridden patiently behind the pace, conserving energy while Layeq (T M Fred Texas) was settled at the rear as the field found its rhythm.
Turning into the home straight, Za’eer Al Shahania was sent in pursuit and began to close steadily on the leaders. Bakir continued to apply pressure up front but could not match the eventual winner’s finishing effort, and inside the closing stages Za’eer Al Shahania asserted decisively to settle the contest in comfortable fashion. Bakir, owned by Mubarak Ali Al-Nuaimi and trained by Hamad Al-Jehani, raced in second throughout chasing the long-time leader before staying on under Saleh Faraj Al-Otaibi to secure second, finishing 3¼ lengths ahead of Layeq. The latter, representing Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari and prepared by Julian Smart, travelled at the rear early and through the middle stages before accelerating approaching the home turn and finishing best of the rest under Pierre-Charles Boudot, though he could not match the first two home in the concluding stages.
Rashid Saed Adiba, Head of the QREC Racing Operations Section, conferred the Middle Distance Cup following the race.
Calafiori surges clear in Thoroughbred Sand Championship Cup
Calafiori (Ardad x Bredenbury) produced a stylish performance in the fourth race on the card, the Thoroughbred Sand Championship Cup for 3yos over 1700m, Class 2, contested by 13 runners. The bay gelding, racing for Sharida bin Nasser bin Sharida Al-Kaabi and trained by Mohammed Al Ghazali, tracked the leading pack throughout before asserting inside the final 200m and quickening away to score impressively by 2¾ lengths under Lukas Delozier, registering his third career success and his first in Qatar while also giving his trainer a double on the day following last year’s victory in this race with Due To Dance.
The early pace was solid as A Bit Of Spirit (Palace Pier) raced prominently from the outset, maintaining a forward position through the early and middle stages. Calafiori travelled comfortably just behind the leaders, always within striking distance while Smartman (Starman) was settled in midfield as the field remained compact approaching the home turn.
Straightening for home, A Bit Of Spirit moved into second inside the final 200m and attempted to reel in the leader, but Calafiori had already seized control and was quick to assert. Once in front, he lengthened decisively and never looked in danger, drawing clear with a sustained surge to seal an authoritative success. A Bit Of Spirit, owned by Sheikh Mohammed Salman Al-Thani and trained by Gassim Al Ghazali, raced prominently throughout before staying on under Marco Casamento to take second, finishing 2¼ lengths ahead of Smartman. The latter, representing Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik and prepared by Debbie Mountain, travelled in midfield before pressing on in the home straight under Mohammed Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik to secure third.
HE Meshaal bin Ali Al Attiyah, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Bosnia and Herzegovina, awarded the Thoroughbred Sand Championship Cup following the race.
Hay’er Al Shahania powers clear in Local Purebred Arabian Sand Championship Cup
Hay’er Al Shahania (Harran x Enwa) returned to winning ways in the fifth race on the card, the Local Purebred Arabian Sand Championship Cup, an Open Race for 4yos and upwards over 1200m, Class 2, restricted to horses owned by Qatari subjects and contested by eight runners. The four-year-old grey colt, racing for Mansoor Mesfer Al-Shahwani and trained by Abdulla Mesfer Al-Shahwani, built on a recent runner-up effort to record his third victory of the season, travelling strongly on the pace before quickening decisively inside the final 300m to draw clear by 4½ lengths under Szczepan Mazur.
Naseeb Zakhir (AF AlBahar) raced prominently throughout and held second for much of the contest before taking over on straightening, setting the target for the closers as the tempo lifted. Hay’er Al Shahania, always travelling comfortably within striking distance, was poised just behind the speed, while Grace Secret (Mister Ginoux) was ridden patiently and began to improve from off the pace approaching the home turn.
Once in the straight, Hay’er Al Shahania was asked to lengthen and produced a powerful finishing effort, surging past the leader and quickly opening a decisive advantage. His acceleration inside the final 300m proved telling, and he extended his margin with authority to settle the outcome well before the line. Naseeb Zakhir, owned and trained by Osama Omer Al-Dafea, raced in second throughout before taking the lead entering the home straight and staying on under Faleh Bughenaim to secure second, finishing eight lengths ahead of Grace Secret. The latter, representing Umm Al Shukhut Farm and prepared by Ibrahim Khaled Elahmed, finished best of the rest under Maxime Guyon but remained well adrift of the first two, emphasising the decisive nature of the winner’s late surge.
Abdulaziz Al Rashid, Corporate Relationship Manager of Baladna Food Industries Co., presented the Local Purebred Arabian Sand Championship Cup following the race.
Maysara storms clear in Local Thoroughbred Sand Championship Cup
Maysara (Dubday x Jamboretta) produced a dominant display in the sixth race on the card, the Local Thoroughbred Sand Championship Cup for 4yos and upwards over 1200m, Class 2, contested by 12 runners. The six-year-old chestnut mare, racing for Mohammed Abdulhadi Al-Hajri and trained by Hamad Al-Jehani, defied the widest draw in stall 13 to record her second consecutive victory and a fourth success of the season, sweeping past the leaders in the straight before surging clear by 5¾ lengths under Pierre-Charles Boudot.
Barq Al Atam (Trade Storm) raced prominently from the outset and went on to lead through the middle stages, setting a solid pace as the field approached the home turn. Ghafan (Zelzal) tracked him closely in second and for a time the pair appeared set to fight out the finish, while Maysara was ridden patiently off the speed and began to make headway approaching the straight. Once in the home straight, Maysara lengthened with purpose, making up ground with every stride before sweeping past the leaders.
Her momentum quickly proved decisive, and she surged away in emphatic fashion to put the result beyond doubt well inside the final furlong. Barq Al Atam, owned by Sheikh Faisal bin Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani and trained by Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki, raced prominently and led through the middle stages before staying on under Tomas Lukasek to secure second, finishing 2½ lengths ahead of Ghafan. The latter, owned and trained by Ibrahim Khaled Elahmed, raced prominently in second throughout and looked set to fight out the finish until the winner’s surge, keeping on under Maxime Guyon to take third.
Hassan Youssef Al-Obaidly, Director of Programs at The Social & Sport Contribution Fund (DAAM), handed over the Local Thoroughbred Sand Championship Cup following the race.
