HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani crowns Cup and Trophy winners
Wathnan Racing reign supreme through Armana and Intisar De Monlau
Mdmar – Doha – Mohamed Saad
H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani crowned the winners of the HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani Trophy and Cup, as well as the winning riders of the Al Sabiq Championship, in the presence of Mr Rashid bin Nasser Sraiya Al Kaabi, QREC Vice Chairman, following the two feature races of the turf meeting held at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) on Saturday, 3 January. Ali bin Yousef Al Kubaisi and Mohammed Al Suwaidi received the Trophy and the Cup on behalf of Wathnan Racing, owners of Arman and Intisar De Monlau, who captured the two principal events.
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The traditional Al Sabiq riding contest was staged as part of the HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani Cup and Trophy Day, with the first four places secured, in order, by Ali Mohammed Ali Al Otibi aboard AJS Najd, Saud Rashid Mohammed Meteb Al Saaq partnering Kahilan Al Sakab, Faleh Faraj Saleh Al Otibi guiding Nawasi, and Fahad Saad Hamad Al Dosari riding Kasban.
Arman goes one better to land H.H. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani Trophy
Arman (Amer x Qatar Sun) delivered a commanding performance to claim Race 4, the H.H. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani Trophy, a Class 1 contest for Local Purebred Arabians aged 4YO+ over 1600m, contested by a field of nine runners. The 6-year-old grey horse, racing in the colours of Wathnan Racing and trained by Alban de Mieulle, returned to the feature after suffering the narrowest of defeats in the same race last year and duly went one better this time, drawing clear in the closing stages to score decisively by 1¼ lengths. James Doyle was again in the saddle, following an earlier success in Race 3, completing a memorable quick-fire double in the feature races on the card for the same owner and trainer.
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Settled into a patient fourth in the early stages, Arman was allowed to find his rhythm as Hadlan (AF AlBahar) set the pace for much of the journey. Al Mirage (AF AlBahar), last year’s winner, tracked the leader closely, with Al Sij Al Sakab (T M Fred Texas) and AJS Jassas (AF AlBahar) next in line while the remainder of the field stayed within striking distance through the early and middle sections. The tempo remained honest, but controlled, with little change in the order approaching the home turn. Rounding the bend, Al Mirage moved boldly to the front and briefly looked set to defend his title before AJS Jassas, representing Al Jeryan Stud and trained by M.H.K Al Attiyah, pressed hard to issue his challenge under Szczepan Mazur. For a moment, the contest appeared to be between the pair, but Doyle had timed his move to perfection. Producing Arman at exactly the right moment, Doyle asked him to lengthen and the response was immediate and emphatic. Arman surged powerfully between rivals, swept past the leading duo and quickly asserted his authority, opening up a clear advantage in the final 200m to put the result beyond doubt. AJS Jassas stayed on gamely to secure second, finishing 1½ lengths ahead of Razika (Yazeed), who is owned and trained by the same connections as the winner and, under Soufiane Saadi, produced a strong late run from the rear to snatch third from the defending champion Al Mirage.
Intisar De Monlau lands H.H. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani Cup
Intisar De Monlau (Al Mamun Monlau x Leila De Monlau) delivered a polished and determined performance to claim Race 3, the H.H. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani Cup, a Group 2 Purebred Arabian contest for 4YO+ over 1600m. The 5-year-old grey mare, carrying the blue and gold silks of Wathnan Racing and prepared by Alban de Mieulle, returned to winning ways after consecutive runner-up finishes, recording the fifth victory of her career. James Doyle was in the saddle as she edged home by a neck in a thrilling finish.
Breaking well, Intisar De Monlau showed early speed to briefly take up the running before being eased back into a handy fourth position, allowing her rider to keep her relaxed and within striking distance. Shabbab (Manark) assumed the lead in the early stages before Mureb (Gazwan), racing in the same ownership colours as the eventual winner, moved through to dictate the pace. The field remained compact through the middle stages, with positions largely unchanged as they approached the home turn. Rounding the bend, Intisar De Monlau began to make her move, improving smoothly into third as Shabbab again edged to the front. Seconds later, Doyle asked the mare to lengthen and she responded willingly, striking the lead soon after straightening. However, victory was far from assured, as Lueur De Faust (AF AlBahar), representing Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari and trained by Julian Smart, unleashed a powerful late run under Alberto Sanna, closing rapidly from behind to mount a serious challenge in the final strides. The pair became locked in a gripping duel all the way to the line, with Intisar De Monlau showing admirable determination to fend off her rival, thrusting her head in front at the finish to secure a hard-earned success. Lueur De Faust was a gallant runner-up, finishing a neck adrift while Hargan (Al Mamun Monlau), racing for H.E. Sheikha Iman bint Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Thani and trained by Rudy Nerbonne, produced a strong late effort from off the pace under Lukas Delozier to claim third, two lengths behind the runner-up.
Equinoxe powers clear to land French King Cup
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Equinoxe (Atlantic Air x Thurayya) returned to winning form in commanding fashion when taking Race 6, the French King Cup, a Local Thoroughbred Open Race for 4YO+ over 1600m, Class 2, contested by 12 runners. The 9-year-old, racing in the colours of Wathnan Racing and prepared by Alban de Mieulle, shrugged off a recent runner-up effort to deliver a dominant performance, with James Doyle in the saddle producing another polished ride to complete a third success on the day for the owner–trainer–jockey combination. In the end, Equinoxe was a most authoritative winner, drawing away to score by an emphatic five lengths.
From barrier 2, Equinoxe was settled just off the pace as Toyota (Toronado) assumed responsibility for the early running, setting a steady tempo through the opening stages. Rayyan Bu Thaila (Bated Breath) raced prominently close to the lead while Maysara (Dubday) was anchored towards the rear, biding his time. The order up front remained largely unchanged through the middle stages, with Toyota continuing to dictate and the field well strung out behind. Approaching the home turn, Rayyan Bu Thaila briefly moved up to apply pressure and even edged to the front on straightening, giving the impression the race was there to be fought out among the leading pair. However, once Doyle asked Equinoxe to lengthen, the response was immediate and decisive. Finding another gear turning for home, Equinoxe surged past the leaders in a matter of strides and quickly put daylight between himself and the rest of the field. Inside the final 300m, Equinoxe extended his advantage with every stride, putting the race to bed well before the line and confirming his class at this level. Maysara, carrying the colours of Mohammed Abdulhadi Al-Hajri and trained by Hamad Al-Jehani, produced a strong late run from the rear under Pierre Charles Boudot to claim second, albeit unable to threaten the winner, who was in a race of his own in the closing stages. Rayyan Bu Thaila, representing Injaaz Stud and trained by Jihad El Ahmad, battled on bravely after racing prominently throughout to secure third under Alberto Sanna.
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Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi, QREC Racing Manager, presented the French King Cup to Ali bin Yousef Al Kubaisi, who received the Cup on behalf of the winning owners Wathnan Racing.
Foehn prevails in photo finish to land Umm Qarn Trophy
Foehn (Johnny Barnes x Love and War) produced a stirring late surge to claim Race 7, the Umm Qarn Trophy, a Thoroughbred Open Race for 4YO+ over 2000m, Class 2, contested by nine runners. The 5-year-old bay gelding, racing in the colours of Hamad Ramzan Al-Naimi and prepared by Hadi Al Ramzani, built on a recent runner-up effort to deliver a dramatic success, with Gavin Matt Ryan timing his challenge to perfection. In a thrilling conclusion, a photo finish was required to separate the first two home, Foehn thrusting his head in front on the line to score by a nose.
After several early changes in the lead, Captain Winters (Lope De Vega) eventually assumed control and dictated the pace through the middle stages, with Zauberkonig (Teofilo) and Supercooled (Lope De Vega) tracking him closely. Aemilianus (Holy Roman Emperor) enjoyed a good run just off the leaders, always within striking distance, while both Foehn and Forceful Speed (New Bay) were settled towards the rear, conserving energy for a late challenge. Approaching the home turn, Captain Winters continued to show the way, but the pack began to close rapidly as the tempo lifted. Turning for home, Aemilianus moved up strongly to join the leading group, while Forceful Speed started to wind up from the back under Jefferson Smith, and Foehn began to pick off rivals with a sustained run down the centre of the track. Inside the final 200m, the race developed into a gripping three-way battle. Forceful Speed, representing Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik and trained by Debbie Mountain, swept through to hit the front briefly, with Aemilianus, carrying the silks of Sheikh Mohammed Salman Al-Thani and trained by Gassim Al Ghazali, also pressing hard after tracking the pace throughout. However, Foehn finished with relentless determination, joining the duel in the final strides and, in a heart-stopping finish, edging out the tough Forceful Speed by a nose. Aemilianus held on gamely, under Marco Casamento, for third, just a quarter of a length behind the runner-up, as the first three crossed the line almost together, underlining the depth and competitiveness of a high-quality renewal of the Umm Qarn Trophy.
Rashid Saed Adiba, Head of QREC Racing Operations Section, awarded the winners of the Umm Qarn Trophy.
Taftan holds sway in Silver Cup thriller
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Taftan (AF Al Buraq x Zaaqya) captured Race 8, the H.H. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani Silver Cup, a Class 2 contest for 4YO Purebred Arabians over 1600m, contested by a field of 10 runners, delivering another heart-stopping finish on the card.. The bay gelding, racing in the colours of Ahmed Hassan Al Malki Al Jehani, completed a double on the evening for trainer Hamad Al-Jehani and jockey Pierre Charles Boudot, edging out his rivals by a head in a pulsating finish.
Breaking well from barrier 5, Taftan was sent forward to dictate matters and soon settled into a comfortable rhythm in front. He controlled the tempo through the early and middle stages, with Al Bayyin Grine (Al Mourtajez) prominent in the chasing line and even taking over briefly while Dawod (Mister Ginoux) was patiently ridden towards the rear. Approaching the home turn, Taftan again asserted himself at the head of affairs and looked to have his rivals in trouble as the field fanned out for the run to the line. Dawod, representing Al Wasmiyah Farm and partnered by Lukas Delozier, unleashed a powerful late surge from the back of the pack and rapidly closed the gap, setting up a gripping duel in the final strides. Right on the line, Taftan found enough under pressure to repel the challenge, holding on gamely to secure victory by a head. Dawod was a close second, completing a one–two for trainer Hamad Al-Jehani. Al Bayyin Grine, trained by Ahmed Al Jehani and ridden by Arnaud De Lepine for Faraj Saleh Al-Otaibi, stayed on resolutely after racing prominently to claim third, though far bebind the runner-up by 3 3/4 lengths, having been second for much of the journey before the home straight
Rashid Saed Adiba, Head of QREC Racing Operations Section, presented the H.H. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani Silver Cup to Ahmed Hassan Al Malki Al Jehani, owner of Taftan.
Posuelo Py seals Majd Al Arab Sprinter Cup with late flourish
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Posuelo Py (AF AlBahar x La Ranna PY) crowned the meeting in style by landing Race 9, the Gr3 PA Majd Al Arab Sprinter Cup for 4YO+ Purebred Arabians over 1200m, contested by a field of 13 runners. The 8-year-old bay gelding, racing in the colours of Ibrahim Mohammed Al-Fadala and prepared by Hamad Al-Jehani, bounced back to winning ways on his third start of the season, producing a devastating late burst to score decisively by 2½ lengths. The success completed a quick-fire double and a third success on the card for the trainer and marked a standout fourth winner of the day for jockey James Doyle.
Settled towards the rear in the early stages, Posuelo Py was content to bide his time as Kawaii D’Vialettes (AF AlBahar) and Shgarde (AF AlBahar) disputed the lead through the opening exchanges, with the tempo remaining strong through the middle stages. Naseeb Zakhir, representing Osama Omer Al-Dafea, raced prominently throughout, briefly showing the way before settling into second and third as the field began to compress approaching the home turn. Turning for home, several runners fanned across the track in search of running room, with Naseeb Zakhir still holding a prominent position and Nah’ash Al Shahania beginning to improve from midfield. It was at this point that Posuelo Py was unleashed. Responding instantly, he produced a blistering turn of foot, slicing through the pack and asserting his authority inside the final 200m. Once in front, he powered clear with every stride, putting the result beyond doubt well before the line. Naseeb Zakhir, trained and owned by Osama Omer Al-Dafea and partnered by Faleh Bughenaim, battled on bravely to secure second, albeit unable to live with the winner’s late acceleration. Nah’ash Al Shahania (AF Al Buraq), carrying the colours of H.E. Sheikha Reem bint Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Thani and trained by Rudy Nerbonne, finished strongly under Lukas Delozier to claim third, a further 2½ lengths behind the runner-up, bringing the curtain down on the card with a performance worthy of the sprinting feature.
Rashid Saed Adiba, Head of QREC Racing Operations Section, crowned the winners of the Gr3 PA Majd Al Arab Sprinter Cup.
National Park sets the tone in opening contest
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National Park (Dubawi x Simply Beautiful) got the day off to a confident start by landing the opener, Race 1, the Thoroughbred Novice Plate for 4YO+ over 1600m, Class 5, contested by a full field of 16 runners. The 4-year-old grey gelding, carrying the colours of Hamad Meret Al-Hajri and prepared by Hamad Al-Jehani, bounced back from a demanding assignment at QA Group 1 level last month to register his second career victory from seven starts, with Pierre Charles Boudot producing a polished ride to score by 2¾ lengths.
Breaking alertly from barrier 9, National Park was allowed to find his rhythm just behind the leading line, travelling comfortably in fourth and fifth as Himyan (Olympic Glory) showed the way in the early stages. Mia Man (Almanzor) soon applied pressure and moved up to take over as the field left the back stretch, with National Park improving into third while remaining within striking distance of the pace. The order at the head of affairs changed little through the middle stages, with the field staying relatively compact as they turned for home. Inside the final 200m, Mia Man briefly held sway and looked set to make a bold bid for Sharq Stud under Alberto Sanna, but National Park was quickly unleashed and responded decisively. Lengthening impressively, he surged past the leader in a matter of strides and drew clear with authority, putting the result beyond doubt well before the line. Mia Man, trained by Mohd Ahmed Mohd Hasan Al-Sulaiti, stayed on resolutely to secure second while Al Kharaitiyat (Toronado), representing Khalid Rashid Al-Mohannadi and trained by Rashid Al-Jehani, finished best of the remainder under Lukas Delozier to claim third, a further three-quarters of a length adrift of the runner-up.
Pearling Path strikes late in competitive handicap
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Pearling Path (Holy Roman Emperor x Sacrifice My Soul) returned to the winners’ enclosure in Race 2, the Thoroughbred Handicap (70–90) for 4YO+ over 1400m, Class 3, contested by a full field of 16 runners. The 6-year-old bay gelding, carrying the colours of Mohammed Abdulhadi Al-Hajri and prepared by Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki, registered his first success in five starts this season, taking his career tally to five wins, with Lukas Delozier producing a well-judged ride to prevail by half a length.
Breaking alertly, Pearling Path was sent forward to contest the early stages before being eased back into a midfield position as Al Mundher (Toronado) assumed control of the race. He set the pace from Axis (Oasis Dream), Zulu Tracker (Footstepsinthesand) and Washington Street (Earthlight), who, in the colours of Al Ghaf Stud, steadily improved to sit second as the field approached the home turn. Saving ground and energy behind the leading line, Pearling Path began to creep closer, improving into contention just as the race started to take shape.
Turning for home, Al Mundher still held a narrow advantage, but the complexion changed rapidly as runners fanned across the track and the tempo lifted sharply. Pearling Path was produced at the right moment and responded generously, quickening to challenge alongside Washington Street before asserting in the final strides to edge clear. Behind him, Silver Jubilee (Dubawi), representing North Racing and trained by Hamad Al-Jehani, came with a powerful late surge from the rear under Pierre Charles Boudot to snatch second, denying Washington Street, trained by the same connections and partnered by Szczepan Mazur, by only a neck in a tight battle for the minor honours.
Basalt storms home to dominate staying handicap
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Basalt (Pinatubo x Alienate) returned to the winners’ enclosure in emphatic fashion when landing Race 5, the Thoroughbred Handicap (75–95) for 4YO+ over 2000m, Class 3, contested by a full field of 16 runners. The 4-year-old grey colt, carrying the colours of H.E. Mansoor bin Ebrahim Al-Mahmoud and trained by Gassim Al Ghazali, confirmed the excellent form of his 2025/26 campaign, recording his third victory from just four starts this season. Despite being drawn wide in barrier 14, Marco Casamento produced a confident and well-judged ride to score by a decisive 2¼ lengths.
Dropped out early from his wide gate, Basalt was settled towards the rear as Evergreen (Night Of Thunder) took the race by the scruff of the neck, setting the early pace ahead of Pazeer (Siyouni) and Kadovar (Dark Angel). Passing the first bend, Pazeer assumed control and steadied the tempo, with the order up front changing little through the middle stages while Basalt continued to bide his time at the back. As the field negotiated the second bend, Basalt began to make stealthy progress, improving into midfield just ahead of Siegen (Blue Point). Approaching the home turn, Kadovar moved up to lead narrowly from Evergreen, with several runners lining up to issue challenges as they straightened for home. Entering the home straight, Kadovar briefly looked the one to beat as he kicked on, but the complexion of the race changed dramatically inside the final 200m. Basalt, still travelling powerfully and full of running, was unleashed down the outside and swept past the leaders with an authoritative surge, quickly opening up a clear advantage and putting the result beyond doubt. Evergreen, representing Rashid Awajan Al-Khayarin and trained by Hamad Al-Jehani, stayed on resolutely under Pierre Charles Boudot to secure second while Siegen, from the same stable and partnered by Szczepan Mazur for Hamad Meret Al-Hajri, finished strongly late to claim third, edging Kadovar, finishing by just a quarter of a length behind the runner-p in a tight battle for the minor honours.
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