Estoori dominates late to retain the Bu Samrah Cup

Mdmar – Doha – Mohamed Saad

Bu Samrah Cup Day marked the 18th race meeting of the 2025/2026 racing season, featuring an eight-race card on the dirt track at Al Rayyan Racecourse on Wednesday, 3 December. The meeting was distinguished by several cracking winning margins and also hosted the third race of the Arabian show horse series. Chakib, Al Deebil, AJS Al Ruwais, Future Man, Azzam, Za’eer Al Shahania, Malhouf Al Mushlah, and Estoori all shined on the day. Rashid Saed Adiba, Head of QREC Racing Operations Section, handed the trophies to the winners following the day’s final and feature race.

Estoori keeps hold of Bu Samrah Cup

Estoori (Vedevani x Picnic Party) produced a strong and polished performance to capture the day’s feature, the Bu Samrah Cup, a Local Thoroughbred Handicap (45–65) for 3YO+ over 1700m (Class 4), run with 14 runners. The 6YO bay horse, carrying the colours of H.E. Meshaal bin Ali Al-Attiyah, trained by Mohammed Balasim Al Jumaili and ridden with confidence by Fayos Martin Borja, who completed a double on the day, retained the Bu Samrah Cup for the second consecutive year with a commanding late surge.

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Well away from barrier 6, Estoori raced prominently throughout, adopting a forward-running style that kept him in the perfect stalking position. He tracked the early pace set by Nadiraha (Vedevani), with Barkt Al Majd (Honest Prospector) positioned between them as the field made its way through the opening stages. Approaching the home turn, Estoori improved smoothly into second before launching his challenge upon straightening. He swept to the front early in the home straight, but was met with an immediate threat from Suheal Qatar (Dubday), who produced a strong run from midfield to draw alongside and briefly test the defending champion. Inside the final 100m, Estoori displayed his class and determination. Responding decisively to Borja’s urging, he kicked clear from his challenger and put the race to bed with authority, securing a comfortable 2-length victory. Suheal Qatar, representing Ateeq Hamad Ateeq Al Marri for trainer Abdulaziz Hamad Al Marri under Saleh Salem Al-Marri, finished a clear second after his bold effort. A long way back, Al Gamamah (Trade Storm), racing for and trained by Ibrahim Saeed Ibrahim Al Malki with Ivan Rossi aboard, finished best of the rest to take third, though still a huge 12 lengths behind the runner-up.

Chakib storms clear for impressive maiden success

Chakib (Kalino x Bint Amir) delivered a commanding performance to take Race 1, the Local Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate for 4–7YOs over 1900m (Class 6), run with 11 runners. The 5YO bay horse, racing for Fahad Salem Al-Hajri, prepared by Mohammed Hassan Al Matwi and confidently handled by Salman Fahad Al-Hajri, opened his account at the fifth attempt, maintaining his consistent profile after never finishing outside the first four in his previous starts. He drew away for a decisive 5¼-length victory.

Breaking sharply from barrier 3, Chakib initially assumed the lead before easing back to secure cover as Mou’nes Al Shahania (Harran ASF) pushed forward to dictate the pace. The order remained steady through the back stretch, with Agshar (Al Mourtajez) and Al Masdar (No Risk Al Maury) tracking the leading pair. Once in the home straight, Chakib was angled out and responded instantly to Al-Hajri’s urging, quickening emphatically to strike the front and surge clear, leaving no doubt about the outcome. Sarooqu Al Shahania (Assy), representing Al Ghazali Stud for Mohammed Al Ghazali and ridden by Marco Casamento, produced a late run from mid-division to take second, finishing well ahead of the third-placed Mou’nes Al Shahania, who appeared to feel the effects of his long spell in front, finishing 6¾ lengths behind.

Al Deebil impresses with sharp maiden victory

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Al Deebil (Danadana x Spring Fashion) delivered a stylish breakthrough in Race 2, the Local Thoroughbred Maiden Plate for 3–7YOs over 1200m (Class 6), run with 10 runners. The 4YO chestnut gelding, carrying the Al Wasmiyah Farm colours, trained by Mohammed Al Ghazali and ridden by Marco Casamento, overcame the widest draw to break his maiden on his third career start and Qatar debut, scoring decisively by 2¼ lengths.

Breaking alertly, Al Deebil settled in fifth before improving into fourth as Barqeyya (Vedevani) set the early fractions. Approaching the 600m mark, Al Shalfa SK (Havana Gold) pushed forward to take up the running, with Nawasi (Time Test) shadowing in second while Al Deebil travelled prominently just behind them. Once in the home straight, Al Deebil moved smoothly into second and engaged Al Shalfa SK in a sustained duel. The pair pulled well clear of the rest, but Al Deebil asserted superiority inside the final 200m, stretching away to win with authority. Al Shalfa SK, racing for Lekhreib Stud and prepared by Abdulla Dhabit Aldosari under Salman Fahad Al-Hajri, held on for second, finishing a comfortable 5 lengths ahead of Nawasi. The latter, representing Al Fakhama Racing for trainer Khalifa Al-Buainain and ridden by Saleh Faraj Al-Otaibi, stayed on to secure third.

AJS Al Ruwais sweeps past rivals for dominant breakthrough

AJS Al Ruwais (AF AlBahar x Oyat De Brugere) produced a striking performance to capture Race 3, the Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate for 4–7YOs over 1900m (Class 6), run with 7 runners. The 5YO grey horse, racing for Abdulrahman Mohammed Abdulwahed, who also conditions him, and delivered confidently by Szczepan Mazur, finally opened his account and did so with an eye-catching 6-length winning margin.

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Settled in mid-division through the early and middle stages, AJS Al Ruwais raced behind the pace set by stable companions Masqool (Harran ASF) and Al Jaroudi (AF AlBahar), who dictated matters in the same silks while the order remained unchanged for much of the journey. Turning for home, the two stablemates appeared to have the race between them, but AJS Al Ruwais unleashed a potent turn of foot once angled out. He swept past his rivals one by one, including the long-time leader and the second, before powering clear to score with authority. Midhal (Mister Ginoux), representing Ghazwan Racing and trained by Hadi Al Ramzani under Faleh Bughenaim, produced a late surge from the rear to take second, 3¼ lengths ahead of Al Jaroudi, who stayed on to claim third for Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari and Julian Smart under Alberto Sanna.

Future Man digs deep to score a thrilling maiden victory

Future Man (Candy Ride x Ciao Bella) produced a dramatic late surge to secure Race 4, the Thoroughbred Handicap (50–70) for 3YO+ over 1700m (Class 5), run with 14 runners. The 3YO grey gelding, carrying the Sharq Stud silks, trained by Mohammed Ahmed Mohammed Hasan Al-Sulaiti and ridden by Fayos Martin Borj, broke his maiden at the tenth attempt, prevailing by a nose in one of the day’s closest finishes.

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Both the eventual winner and runner-up began towards the rear though Future Man soon improved into fifth while Midnight City (Acclamation) held a deeper position. Up front, Margesson (Pride Of Dubai) dictated the early and middle stages, with Spycraft (Siyouni) and Necessitate (Zoffany) keeping close watch in second and third. Straightening for home, Necessitate swept past to take the lead, but his advantage was short-lived. Future Man, angled out with clear running, unleashed a sharp turn of foot, surging to the front and quickly opening what looked an unassailable break. For a moment, another wide-margin victory on the day appeared imminent. However, Midnight City, representing Mohammad Ibrahim Alfadala for trainer Hamad Al-Jehani under Pierre Charles Boudot, produced a blistering run down the centre of the track. In the final 100m, he devoured the deficit and joined Future Man right on the line. The pair flashed past together and the photo declared Future Man the winner by the smallest of margins, with Midnight City earning a valiant second. Four lengths behind came Funny Bunny (Trade Storm), racing in the colours of and trained by Mr Ibrahim Saeed Ibrahim Al Malki and guided by Tomas Lukasek. After sitting towards the rear early, he stayed on best of the rest to claim third.

Azzam extends strong seasonal form with commanding sprint win

Azzam (AF AlBahar x Dhayya Al Hashm) continued his excellent campaign with an authoritative performance in Race 5, the Purebred Arabian Handicap (55–75) for 3YO+ over 1100m (Class 5), run with 11 runners. The 4YO grey gelding, racing for Fahad Rashid Al Khayarin Al-Hajri, who also trains him, and ridden positively by Abdulla Rashid Al-Hajri, secured his second win from five starts this season, a sequence that already included three placed finishes. He drew clear for a decisive 4-length success.

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Breaking well from barrier 10, Azzam was prominent immediately, settling in second before taking command early. Once in front, he dictated proceedings with authority and never allowed any rival to apply real pressure. Behind him, Ietibar (Al Mamun Monlau) and Fateh HCM (Nizam) gave chase through the early stages, followed later by Alouqa (Nashmi), Kanz Al Adeed (AF AlBahar) and Thahan (AF AlBahar) as the field began to reshuffle. Turning into the home straight, Azzam found another gear. He quickened sharply to extend his lead with every stride, asserting his class and continuing the day’s trend of wide-margin victories. There was no threat to his dominance at any stage. Khaeer Al Shahania (Harran), representing Mansoor Mesfer Al-Shahwani for trainer Abdulla Mesfer Al Shahwani and ridden by Marco Casamento, stayed on to take second. Alouqa, running in the colours of Mohammed Ahmed Al-Hajri and handled by Faisal Salem Al-Shahwani under Salman Fahad Al-Hajri, claimed third, 1½ lengths behind the runner-up and only a neck ahead of the fourth-placed Thahan, who stayed on for Al Ezz Stud and trainer Saeed Al Shafi under Szczepan Mazur.

Za’eer Al Shahania sweeps past rivals for emphatic victory

Za’eer Al Shahania (Burning Sand x Ezaajh) returned to winning form with a decisive display in Race 6, the Local Purebred Arabian Handicap (65–85) for 3YO+ over 1700m (Class 4), contested by 5 runners. The 4YO grey colt, carrying the colours of Osama Omer Al-Dafea, who also trains him, and confidently ridden by Faleh Bughenaim, registered his second win from five starts this season, drawing clear for another wide-margin success, this time by 4¼ lengths.

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Eased back at the start, Za’eer Al Shahania was allowed to settle at the rear, biding his time while Muqtarib (AF AlBahar) set the early pace. After the second bend, Dhi Qar Zakhir (Jenjal) swept forward to take up the running, followed by Al-Yaseen Zakhir (Al Mamun Monlau), with Za’eer Al Shahania improving gradually as the field remained compact. The order stayed unchanged until the home straight where the race took a decisive turn. With 300m remaining, Za’eer Al Shahania was angled out and responded instantly, producing a sharp acceleration to sweep past the leaders. Once in front, he continued to widen the margin with every stride, asserting his superiority in the final 100m for an eye-catching win. Behind him, Galeb Al Shahania (Burning Sand), racing for Al Eida Racing and handled by Gassim Al Ghazali under Marco Casamento, finished strongly to take third, 2 lengths behind the runner-up Dhi Qar Zakhir, who claimed second for Ali Salem Al-Marri and the same trainer under Salman Fahad Al-Hajri.

Malhouf Al Mushlah overcomes slow start to score on debut

Malhouf Al Mushlah (Jassas Elalya x Pianeza) made a perfect introduction in the penultimate race of the day, the Purebred Arabian Show Horses & Mares for 4YO+ over 1000m, which featured 4 runners. The 4YO grey colt, carrying the Al Awasef Stud silks, prepared by Abdulla Dhabit Aldosari and partnered by Salman Fahad Al-Hajri, overcame early adversity to win cosily by 2 lengths.

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Rearing at the start, Malhouf Al Mushlah forfeited ground and settled last, leaving himself with plenty to do. At the head of affairs, Hejazi Alduhail (Fares Al Rayyan) assumed control and set the pace, first challenged briefly by Jabbar Al Shaqab (Gazal Al Shaqab) before Mueer Al Rayyan (Al Adeed Al Shaqab) moved forward to become the main pursuer. Meanwhile, Malhouf Al Mushlah began to make steady progress, recovering the lost ground with purpose. Upon straightening for home, the debutant switched wide and quickened impressively, sweeping past the front pair to strike the lead. Hejazi Alduhail attempted to rally and regain the advantage and the leading duo pulled well clear of the remaining two rivals. However, inside the final 100m, Malhouf Al Mushlah found an additional gear, putting the result beyond doubt and securing a smooth and stylish first-career victory. Hejazi Alduhail, racing for and trained by Mansoor Mesfer Al-Shahwani under Megane Peslier, held on for second while Mueer Al Rayyan finished third for Al Eida Racing and trainer Gassim Al Ghazali under Marco Casamento, 10 lengths behind the runner-up.

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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.