Hadi De Carrere crowns productive card in Ain Sinan Cup
Mohamed Saad
The 47th race meeting of the 2025/26 season took place on Saturday, 7 February, at Al Uqda Racecourse on the dirt, featuring a seven-race programme that blended competitive handicaps, tightly fought maiden contests and a strong conclusion in the feature event. The card was characterised by decisive winning performances alongside several closely contested minor placings, with a number of runners building momentum as the afternoon progressed.
Across the seven races, the winners in order were Lahab opening the card in the local Thoroughbred maiden, Shamshon ANR prevailing in a tight finish among the Purebred Arabians, Thunder Valley being awarded the handicap following a Stewards’ inquiry, Politico producing a late surge to score decisively, Al Ryan Park dominating once again with a wide-margin success, Maarek confirming his consistency with a commanding staying performance, and Hadi De Carrere reasserting his class in the Ain Sinan Cup.
Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi, QREC Racing Manager, crowned the winners of the Ain Sinan Cup following the feature race on the card.
Hadi De Carrere reasserts class in Ain Sinan Cup
Hadi De Carrere (Nieshan x Viki De Carrere) returned to winning ways in the Ain Sinan Cup, the seventh and feature race on the card, a Purebred Arabian Open Race for 4yos and upwards over 2000m, Class 2, contested by five runners. The nine-year-old bay, owned by Sheikh Ahmad bin Mohamed bin Faleh Al-Thani and trained by Gassim Al Ghazali, bounced back from a runner-up effort to record his second win from three starts this season, scoring by 2¼ lengths under Marco Casamento, with both trainer and jockey completing trebles on the day.
M’tawa El Saa’yeb (Jaafer ASF) broke sharply from barrier one and was allowed to stride on, quickly opening up a wide advantage as he set a strong gallop through the early stages. The remainder of the field adopted more conservative tactics, with Hadi De Carrere settling at the head of the chasing group ahead of Nasser Al Shahania (Jaafer ASF), content to track the leader while keeping his powder dry through the middle stages. The order remained unchanged passing halfway, though the early leader’s margin began to contract after the 1000m mark as the tempo took its toll. Approaching the home turn, Hadi De Carrere was brought into the race smoothly from his handy position and began to close decisively on the long-time leader. Once inside the final 200m, he asserted with authority, quickly reeling in M’tawa El Saa’yeb and drawing clear to settle the outcome in convincing fashion. M’tawa El Saa’yeb, owned by Saif Rashid Saif Al Khayarin and trained by Hamad Al-Jehani, stayed on under Pierre-Charles Boudot to take second, finishing just a neck ahead of Nasser Al Shahania. The latter, representing Al Shahania Stud and trained by Rudy Nerbonne, ran on under Lukas Delozier to secure third after racing prominently throughout.
Lahab opens account in measured style
Lahab (Cloth Of Stars x Yalla Yana) shed his maiden status with a convincing performance in the opening race, a Local Thoroughbred Maiden Plate for 4–7yos over 2000m, Class 6, contested by five runners. The five-year-old bay gelding, owned by Ali Salem Al-Marri and trained by Gassim Al Ghazali, built on recent placed efforts to get off the mark at the 11th attempt, scoring by 2¾ lengths under Saleh Salem Al-Marri. The success continued a productive spell for the yard, with Al Ghazali maintaining his strong momentum following a four-winner haul on Thursday and a flying start to the new day.
From the break, Lahab was away sharply from barrier five and moved straight into the lead, with Fuwairit (Time Test) tracking him closely in the early strides. Thaye (New Bay) soon improved his position to second and pressed on to take over in front, setting a steady tempo through the middle stages. Najeeh (Danadana) and Ghada (Zelzal) settled behind the leading trio, still within striking distance as the field remained compact. Approaching the home bend, Lahab was allowed to roll forward again, lifting the tempo to regain the advantage. Around the turn, Thaye attempted to go with him and briefly contested the lead, but Lahab found more when asked and straightened up in front. Once in the home straight, he gradually drew clear and by the final 100m his superiority was evident, pulling away with authority to record a comfortable success. Fuwairit, owned by Nasser Essa Al-Kuwari and trained by Hamad Al-Jehani, produced a stronger finish in the straight under Pierre-Charles Boudot and moved past Thaye to secure second, finishing 1¼ lengths ahead of the third-placed runner. Thaye, representing Nasser Owaida Salem Al Hajri and trained by Owaida Salem Al Hajri, stayed on for third under Abdulla Rashid Al-Hajri after his prominent role throughout.
Shamshon ANR edges thriller on the line
Shamshon ANR (Arkan Al Naif x Salifet Al Naif) delivered a dramatic breakthrough to shed his maiden tag in the second race, a Local Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate for 4–7yos over 1200m, Class 6, run with a full field of 14 runners. The five-year-old chestnut horse, owned by Mohammed Ahmed Al-Hajri and trained by Dr Fahad Salman Al-Hajri, showed marked improvement on his recent starts to break his maiden at the 15th attempt, prevailing by a neck under Marco Casamento, who continued a highly productive week by steering home his sixth winner since Wednesday.
Despite jumping from barrier two, Shamshon ANR was restrained towards the rear in the early stages as AJS Abha (AJS Moaddie), drawn wide in barrier 11, went forward to set the pace. Shebal Al Meydan (AF AlBahar) and Zwair (Areem) tracked the leader closely, with Battash Al Shahania (Mahabb) also prominent while Afor Alghania (Gazwan) improved his position to move into contention through the middle stages. Shamshon ANR remained buried in the pack, racing around ninth as the tempo held steady. Approaching the home turn, the race began to take shape as Shamshon ANR was angled out and produced with a sharp turn of foot, quickly passing runners to move into fourth. Shawaq Alseej (Yazeed), who had enjoyed a midfield run earlier, also made his move and closed strongly to loom as a major threat. Straightening for home, Afor Alghania held a narrow advantage from Shawaq Alseej, Battash Al Shahania and the fast-finishing Shamshon ANR. Inside the final 100m, Shawaq Alseej pressed on to take a slight lead, with Shamshon ANR locked onto his quarters as the pair drew clear. Although Shawaq Alseej held a marginal advantage briefly, Shamshon ANR found extra in the closing strides and lunged on the line to snatch victory in a nail-biting finish. Shawaq Alseej, representing Alseej Stud and trained by Jassim Hamad Al-Atteya, ran a bold race under Pierre-Charles Boudot to finish second, ending 2¼ lengths ahead of Afor Alghania. The latter, owned by Al Meqdam Racing and prepared by Maayouf Bin Hashim Al-Shamari, stayed on well for third under Salman Fahad Al-Hajri.
Thunder Valley awarded after inquiry
Zero Mostel (No Nay Never x Unaided) returned to winning form in the third race on the card, a Thoroughbred Handicap (45–65) for 3yos and upwards over 2200m, Class 6, contested by 14 runners. The six-year-old bay gelding, owned and trained by Khalid Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari, built on a solid second-place finish last time to get back to winning ways for the first time since December 2023, scoring by 1¼ lengths under Saleh Salem Al-Marri, who completed a double on the day.
From the outset, Zero Mostel was ridden positively from barrier one and took up a prominent position, settling second behind Dawn Vega (Lope De Vega) before briefly edging to the front ahead of Al Muheeb (Cracksman). Passing the 1800m mark, Tawash (Kodiac) improved from fourth to assume the lead, setting a steady tempo as the field remained closely grouped through the middle stages, with the early leaders still well within range. Approaching the home turn, Zero Mostel began to close again, moving back into second as the pace lifted. Once straightened for home, he was produced with a sustained run and quickened decisively to take over in front. Inside the final 200m, several challengers emerged, with Cobber Kain (Sepoy), who raced towards the rear for much of the trip, and Thunder Valley (Night Of Thunder), who tracked the pace from mid-division, launching their bids and briefly threatening the leader. However, Zero Mostel found plenty when it mattered, maintaining his momentum and keeping his rivals at bay to cross the line in front. Cobber Kain, owned by Al Ezz Stud and trained by Saeed Al Shafi, stayed on strongly under Youssef Lachhab to take second, finishing half a length ahead of Thunder Valley. The latter, carrying the colours of Ms Maryam Abdulrahman Al-Jaber and trained by Hadi Al Ramzani, ran on gamely under Abdulla Rashid Al-Hajri to claim third.
However, following a Stewards’ inquiry into an objection lodged by the connections of the fourth-placed runner, the placings were amended. Cobber Kain was disqualified, Zero Mostel was demoted to third and Thunder Valley was promoted to first. It’s A Hot One (Too Darn Hot), owned by Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik, trained by Debbie Mountain and ridden by Faleh Bughenaim, was elevated to second.
Politico powers clear late
Politico (Blue Point x Servalan) produced a decisive late surge to regain winning form in the fourth race, a Thoroughbred Handicap (0–70) for 3yos and upwards over 1200m, Class 5, restricted to Qatari and apprentice riders and contested by 13 runners. The five-year-old bay horse, owned and trained by Fahad Rashid Al Khayarin Al-Hajri, built on two placed efforts from his most recent appearance last month to return to the winner’s enclosure for the fourth time in his career and his first success since September 2023, scoring by three lengths under Abdulla Rashid Al-Hajri.
After the start, Politico was settled towards the rear as the early lead changed hands quickly before Temple Of Hera (Magna Grecia) asserted and set a strong pace. Espirito (Charm Spirit) and Heater (No Nay Never) tracked the leader, with Nebrook Dream (Mayson) improving into second as the field streamed along at a solid tempo. The order remained largely intact through the middle stages, with several runners well positioned to strike as they approached the business end. Turning for home, Temple Of Hera continued to bowl along in front, with Nebrook Dream still applying pressure. Politico, however, was switched out and began to lengthen with purpose, joined by late challenges from Hessdalen (Sea The Stars) and Far Shot (Kodiac). Inside the final 200m, Politico found a decisive change of gear and, in a matter of strides, swept past his rivals to open up a clear advantage, leaving the remainder locked in a fierce battle for the minor placings. Nebrook Dream, owned by Mr Ali Hamad M A Al-Atteya and trained by Jassim Hamad Al-Atteya, stayed on under Hamza Lakhlouy to secure second. Temple Of Hera, representing Abdulrahman Batal Al-Otibi and trained by Nayef Batal Al-Otibi, held on gamely for third under Salman Fahad Al-Hajri, finishing a head ahead of Hessdalen, who was narrowly denied a podium finish under Saleh Salem Al-Marri.
Nebrook Dream, owned by Mr Ali Hamad M A Al-Atteya and trained by Jassim Hamad Al-Atteya, stayed on under Hamza Lakhlouy to secure second. Temple Of Hera, representing Abdulrahman Batal Al-Otibi and trained by Nayef Batal Al-Otibi, held on gamely for third under Salman Fahad Al-Hajri, finishing a head ahead of Hessdalen, who was partnered by Saleh Salem Al-Marri. The latter, owned by Saeed Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki and trained by Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki, was only a neck clear of Far Shot, with the five-year-old Kodiac gelding running on late for Fahad Salem Al-Hajri and trainer Mohamed Khaled Elahmed under Meteb Ali Al-Marri.
Al Ryan Park streaks clear again
Al Ryan Park (AF Al Bahar x Gold Label) delivered a dominant display to register his second successive victory in the fifth race, a Purebred Arabian Handicap (55–75) for 4yos and upwards over 1200m, contested by a competitive field. The five-year-old bay horse, owned by Al Eida Racing and trained by Gassim Al Ghazali, followed up his previous success with another emphatic performance, scoring by a commanding 5¾ lengths under Marco Casamento, with both trainer and jockey completing doubles on the day.
Settled prominently from barrier three, Al Ryan Park initially tracked the pace before being eased back into fourth as Solmax (Mahabb) ensured a strong gallop through the early and middle stages. King Albahar (AF AlBahar) emerged as the principal pursuer of the leader, keeping the pressure on up front while Kanz Al Adeed (AF AlBahar) and Al Ryan Park remained close enough in behind as the field approached the home turn with little change in the order. Rounding the bend, Casamento asked Al Ryan Park to lengthen and the response was immediate. He swept to the front with ease and quickly put daylight between himself and his rivals. Once in the home straight, the outcome was beyond doubt, with Al Ryan Park continuing to extend his advantage stride by stride and effectively settling matters well before the final 200m. Kanz Al Adeed, owned by Khalid Ali Al-Obaidli and trained by Abdulrahman Abdulwahed, stayed on under Khadija Abdulwahed to finish second, ending 2¾ lengths ahead of King Albahar. The latter, representing Ahmed Mohammed Al-Hajri and trained by Dr Fahad Salman Al-Hajri, ran on steadily under Salman Fahad Al-Hajri to secure third.
Maarek turns neck win into rout
Maarek (Manark x Al Jassasiya) confirmed his upward momentum with a decisive success in the sixth race, a Purebred Arabian Handicap (55–75) for 4yos and upwards over 2200m, Class 5, contested by eight runners. The five-year-old bay horse, owned by Suhaim Mohammed Salama Ashour and trained by Jihad El Ahmad, recorded his second consecutive victory and the fourth of an excellent campaign, striking by a wide five-length margin under Damien Morin, a sharp contrast to his narrow neck success last time.
Ridden with patience from barrier seven, Maarek was prominent in the early stages, briefly settling third before easing back into the second half of the field as the race took shape. Hidalgo Du Croate (Al Mamun Monlau) was soon allowed to stride on and made virtually all, opening up a clear advantage alongside Yaqoob (Al Mourtajez), with the leading pair well clear of the remainder through the early and middle sections. Approaching the home turn, the complexion of the race began to change as Maarek was angled out and made swift progress, moving into third and closing strongly on the leaders, with Munahis (AF AlBahar) tracking his move. As Yaqoob began to weaken, Maarek homed in on the long-time leader and, once inside the final 200m, produced a decisive turn of foot. He swept past Hidalgo Du Croate with authority and quickly put daylight between himself and his rivals, surging clear to complete an emphatic victory. Hidalgo Du Croate, owned by Al Rakaben Stud and trained by Dr Fahad Salman Al-Hajri, kept on under Salman Fahad Al-Hajri to take second, finishing two lengths ahead of Munahis. The latter, carrying the colours of Sheikh Ahmad bin Mohamed bin Faleh Al-Thani and trained by Hadi Al Ramzani, stayed on under Faleh Bughenaim to secure third.
