Ghafan surges late for impressive Al Thakira Cup victory
Mdmar – Doha – Mohamed Saad
The ninth race meeting of the 2025/26 season featured eight races on dirt at Al Rayyan Racecourse on Wednesday, 12 November. The day was highlighted by a historic milestone, as the seventh race on the card was dedicated to Purebred Arabian show horse, the first of its kind in the history of Qatar’s horse racing. In the day’s main event, Ghafan claimed the Al Thakira Cup for owner-trainer Ibrahim Khaled Elahmed and jockey Alberto Sanna. Following the final race, Mr Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi, QREC Racing Manager, crowned the winners.
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Ghafan (Zelzal x Light Up My Life) produced a commanding performance to capture the Al Thakira Cup, a Local Thoroughbred Premium Maiden Plate for 3–7YOs over 1700m, the day’s feature and final race. The 4YO gelding built on his seasonal debut to score impressively under Sanna, who completed a double on the evening, winning by four and a half lengths.
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Breaking from barrier 8, Ghafan was settled towards the rear as Thaye (New Bay) set the early tempo, with Mustakshif (Vedevani) taking over after the opening bends. Barkt Al Majd (Honest Prospector), ridden by Szczepan Mazur for owner-trainer Abdulrahman Mohammed Abdulwahed, improved steadily to lead around the penultimate turn and appeared to have the race in control entering the home straight. However, Ghafan was travelling powerfully behind and unleashed a thunderous late surge in the final 400m to sweep past rivals and draw clear for an emphatic victory. Lahab (Cloth Of Stars), trained by Gassim Al Ghazali for Ali Salem Al-Marri and ridden by Marco Casamento, finished well to take third, three-quarters of a length behind the runner-up.
Noo Point opens the day with stylish victory
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Noo Point (Blue Point x March) showed marked improvement on his seasonal debut to open his account this campaign, taking the opener, a Thoroughbred Handicap (0–60) for 3YO+ over 1200m, Class 6, which drew 12 runners. The 4YO bay colt, owned by Abdurrahman Hilmi, trained by Rashid Mohammed Alathba and ridden by Lukas Delozier, was a convincing winner by two lengths.
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Breaking from barrier 7, Noo Point settled in midfield early as The Singer (Charm Spirit), Tashkent (Acclamation) and Seeking Gold (Havana Gold) vied for the lead with Villain’s Voice (Poet’s Voice) close behind. Around the home turn, Tashkent briefly held command before being challenged by Villain’s Voice, and while eyes were tracking the leading pack, Noo Point came from behind with a blistering surge to sweep past all rivals and go clear for a decisive success. Cobber Kain (Sepoy), owned by Al Ezz Stud, trained by Saeed Al Shafi and ridden by Maikon De Souza, who was settled towards the rear for the majority of the race, finished fast to claim second, half a length ahead of Villain’s Voice, owned by Al Rakaben Stud, trained by Dr. Fahad Salman Al-Hajri and ridden by Abdulla Rashid Al-Hajri, who completed the frame in third.
Prince D’ossau proves best late on
Prince D’ossau (Al Tair x Diva Des Eaux) delivered a strong performance to land Race 2, a Purebred Arabian Handicap (50–70) for 3YO+ over 1200m, Class 5, which drew 13 runners. The 5YO gelding, owned and trained by Ibrahim Saeed Ibrahim Al Malki and ridden by Tomas Lukasek, built on his sixth-placed seasonal debut to record his first win of the campaign by 1½ lengths.
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Starting from the widest barrier, Prince D’ossau quickly joined the leading pack and settled in fourth, with Azzam FBR (AF AlBahar) setting the early pace ahead of Fateh HCM (Nizam) and Zidane (General). Approaching the home turn, Prince D’ossau improved into third and entered the home straight in second behind Azzam FBR. Responding smartly to Lukasek’s urgings in the final 200m, he surged forward to take the lead and maintained it comfortably to the finish line. Texas Pride CS (TM Fred Texas), owned by Sharida bin Nasser bin Sharida Al-Kaabi, trained by Ahmed Kobeissi and ridden by Mohammed Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik, came from behind with a powerful late run to claim second, a quarter of a length ahead of Azzam FBR, owned and trained by Fahad Rashid Al Khayarin Al-Hajri and ridden by Abdulla Rashid Al-Hajri, who kept on well to take third.
Nooran prevails with determined finish
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Nooran (Noor Al Hawa x Desert Skies) showed marked improvement to score a gutsy win, in the third race in the card, on her third start this season. The 5YO bay mare, trained by Owaida Salem Al Hajri and owned by Wael Nassan Barazi, was guided to victory by jockey Youssef Lachhab, finishing two lengths clear of her nearest rival.
Nooran was settled just behind the early leaders as Awaayid (Tribal Beat) set the pace and was closely followed by Al Theeba (Zoffany). Approaching the penultimate bend, Nooran began to make her move, improving into third and quickly into second. In the home straight, Awaayid tried to fight back, but Nooran showed more to regain the advantage and go clear for a comfortable success. Awaayid, trained by Zuhair Mohsen for Al Wakra Racing and ridden by Abdulla Rashid Al-Hajri, kept on well for second while Moharb (Sea’s Legacy), trained by Gassim Al Ghazali for Al Wasmiyah Farm and ridden by Lukas Delozier, finished fast to take third, just a quarter of a length behind.
Bluey’s Boy powers clear on seasonal return
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Bluey’s Boy (James Garfield x Park Glen) made a fine start to his new campaign, scoring decisively in Race 4, the Thoroughbred Handicap (60–80), Class 4, for 3YO+ over 1200m. The 4YO bay gelding, owned by Nasser Mohammed Kazim Al Ansari and trained by Tareq Essa Abdulla, was given a confident ride by Jefferson Smith to win by two and a quarter lengths on seasonal debut.
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Bluey’s Boy settled in midfield early in the contest, which was dominated for most of the trip by Silencer (Kessaar), who set a brisk tempo from the outset. Maximus Alexios (Kodiac) and Ethandun (Saxon Warrior) raced close behind the leader, with Bluey’s Boy gradually improving his position as the race progressed. Once in the home straight, he loomed large behind Silencer and, urged forward by Smith, produced a strong finish to take command and pull clear for a comfortable victory. Silencer, trained by Jihad El Ahmad for Injaaz Stud and ridden by Alberto Sanna, kept on gamely for second, just a head in front of Maximus Alexios, who finished third for H.E. Mansoor bin Ebrahim Al-Mahmoud, trainer Gassim Al Ghazali and jockey Soufiane Saadi.
AJS Agadir digs deep for deserved victory
AJS Agadir (QA) (AF AlBahar x AJS Shararah) showed real determination to land the day’s fifth race, the Local Purebred Arabian Handicap (70–90) for 4YO+ over 1900m (Class 3). The 5YO grey mare, owned by Al Jeryan Stud and trained by M.H.K Al Attiyah, was ridden to a strong finish by Szczepan Mazur to win by two and a quarter lengths on her second start of the season.
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AJS Agadir raced prominently throughout, tracking the early leaders as AJS Haizum (AF AlBahar) and Dhi Qar Zakhir (Jenjal) vied for the lead in the opening stages. Tajamhor (General) then took over around the bend with Dhi Qar Zakhir still in close attendance while AJS Agadir continued to improve steadily behind them. In the home straight, Shared Al Shahania (Burning Sand), trained by Gassim Al Ghazali for Al Ghazali Stud and ridden by Marco Casamento, swept through to lead briefly and looked the likely winner. However, AJS Agadir found another gear under Mazur’s driving to regain control and win comfortably. Al Mutaghatris (No Risk Al Maury), representing Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari and trainer Julian Smart under Alberto Sanna, was a further length and a quarter behind in third.
Qahwa shines on seasonal return
Qahwa (Equiano x Media Book) made a winning seasonal debut, claiming Race 6, the Thoroughbred Conditions (Fillies & Mares, Class 2) for 3YO+ over 1700m in style. The 3YO bay filly, trained and owned by Ibrahim Saeed Ibrahim Al Malki, secured her third career victory in five starts under a confident ride from Alberto Sanna, completing a double on the day for her connections.
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Breaking smartly from barrier 3, Qahwa was soon settled in third behind the early leader Margaret’s Fuchsia (Dandy Man) and Little Lips (Raven’s Pass), who took over around the third bend. Approaching the home turn, Qahwa was angled out and asked for more by Sanna, responding instantly with a sharp acceleration to take the lead and draw clear for a comfortable three-length victory. September Leaves (Night Of Thunder), trained by Gassim Al Ghazali for Al Eida Racing and ridden by Marco Casamento, ran on well to secure second, well ahead of Kimnkate (Havana Gold), who finished a further nine and a half lengths behind in third for Al Hajaj Stud, trainer Hamad Al-Jehani and jockey Daniel Tudhope.
Mueer Al Rayyan makes history in landmark show horse race
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Race 7 marked a historic moment for Qatar’s horse racing, featuring the nation’s first-ever race for Purebred Arabian show horses. Mueer Al Rayyan (Al Adeed Al Shaqab x Sundos Al Rayyan) rose to the occasion with an emphatic performance, making history as the inaugural winner. The 10YO grey horse, owned by Al Eida Racing, trained by Mohammed Al Ghazali and ridden by Marco Casamento, proved that experience counts, defeating his younger rivals by a commanding eight and a half lengths.
Breaking from barrier 4, Mueer Al Rayyan was last to stride early as Retaj Al Wadihya (Baher Al Shaqab) took up the running, setting a brisk tempo. Approaching the home turn, Jabbar Al Shaqab (Gazal Al Shaqab), representing Al Hamama Stud for trainer Gassim Al Ghazali under Louis Nomis, improved to lead briefly, but Mueer Al Rayyan loomed large behind him. Once in the straight, the veteran grey accelerated strongly to sweep past his rival and pull clear for a decisive win. Jabbar Al Shaqab finished comfortably second while Ghaf Elkhaleej (Fadi Al Shaqab), owned by Sheikh Abdullah bin Mishal bin Hamad Al Thani and trained by Jihad El Ahmad under Alberto Sanna, came in third, five and a half lengths further behind.
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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.
