HH The Amir crowns champions on Festival finale.. Lippo De Carrere lands Golden Sword over Al Ghadeer

Doha – Mdmar – Mohamed Saad

Photos by Juhim
His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani crowned the winners of the Sword and feature trophies on Saturday, 14 February 2026, as the HH The Amir Sword Festival drew to a spectacular close at Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club. The four-day showpiece produced a succession of top-class contests marked by fierce competition among owners, trainers and jockeys, culminating in a high-quality finale packed with standout performances and dramatic finishes across both Arabian and Thoroughbred divisions.

His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani presented the HH The Amir Shalfa to H.E. Mansoor bin Ebrahim Al-Mahmoud, owner of Basalt, winner of the race sponsored by Ooredoo. Present at the ceremony were H.E. Sheikh Ali bin Jabor Al Thani, Chief Executive Officer of Ooredoo, Mr Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al-Attiyah, Chairman of QREC, and Mr Rashid bin Nasser Sraiya Al Kaabi, Vice Chairman of QREC.

His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani awarded the HH The Amir Silver Sword to Mr Ali bin Hamad Al Attiyah, who received the trophy on behalf of Al Wasmiyah Farm, owner of Alhaarith, winner of the race sponsored by Baladna. Also present were Mr Ramez Al-Khayyat, Vice Chairman of Baladna, Mr Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al-Attiyah, Chairman of QREC, and Mr Rashid bin Nasser Sraiya Al Kaabi, Vice Chairman of QREC.

His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani presented the HH The Amir Trophy, sponsored by Longines, following the victory of Deep Monster for DMM Dream Club Co Ltd. Attending the presentation were Mr Najeeb Kiwan, Longines Regional Director for the Middle East, Mr Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al-Attiyah, Chairman of QREC, and Mr Rashid bin Nasser Sraiya Al Kaabi, Vice Chairman of QREC.

His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani presented the HH The Amir Sword to H.E. Sheikh Hamad bin Tamim Al Thani, H.E. Sheikh Jassim bin Tamim Al Thani and H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani, who received the trophy on behalf of Wathnan Racing, owner of Lippo De Carrere, winner of the race sponsored by QNB Group. Present were Mr Ali bin Rashid Al Mohannadi, Chief Operations Officer of QNB Group, Mr Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al-Attiyah, Chairman of QREC, and Mr Rashid bin Nasser Sraiya Al Kaabi, Vice Chairman of QREC.

His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani also presented trophies to the winning riders of the Al Sabiq Championship, held on the sidelines of the HH The Amir Sword Festival. The first four places were secured, in order, by Abdulla Salem Al Mansoori aboard Kahilan Al Sakab, Majid Nasser Al Nuaimi with Dahess Al Sham, Mohammed Kamaan Saeed Al Hajri on Malzoom, and Faleh Faraj Al Otaibi riding Nawasi.

Lippo De Carrere crowned HH The Amir Sword champion

Lippo De Carrere (Al Mourtajez x Elmanara De Carrere) captured the HH The Amir Sword, the fourth race on the card and a Group 1 contest for Purebred Arabians aged four and upwards over 2400m. Racing for Wathnan Racing and trained by Alban de Mieulle, the outstanding performer delivered a display worthy of the occasion, quickening in the home straight before holding on gamely to prevail by a length under Maxime Guyon.

The early stages unfolded at a measured tempo, with Al Ghadeer (Al Mourtajez) racing prominently and setting the pace while HM Alchahine (Al Mourtajez) held a close position among the leading group. Lippo De Carrere travelled comfortably within striking distance, always poised just behind the principals as the field approached the home turn. Once in the straight, Lippo De Carrere was produced to challenge and surged to the front, asserting with a decisive change of gear. Al Ghadeer attempted to rally and close the gap in the final strides, but Lippo De Carrere found enough to hold him at bay and secure the sport’s most prestigious Arabian title. Al Ghadeer, owned by Al Shaqab Racing and trained by François Rohaut, stayed on strongly under Christophe Soumillon to take second, finishing three lengths ahead of HM Alchahine. The latter, representing National Stables and prepared by Helal and Tahnob Alalawi, kept on gamely to secure third.

Deep Monster wins HH The Amir Trophy

Deep Monster (Deep Impact x Sisterly Love) secured the HH The Amir Trophy, the third race on the card and a Group 2 contest for four-year-olds and upwards over 2400m, contested by seven runners. The eight-year-old brown Group winner, racing for DMM Dream Club Co Ltd and trained by Yasutoshi Ikee, delivered a composed and determined performance, tracking the leaders in third before closing powerfully in the concluding stages to prevail by a neck under Tom Marquand.

The early tempo was steady as the field settled into position, with Goliath (Adlerflug) racing prominently and setting the pace while Giavellotto (Mastercraftsman) held a handy position close behind. Deep Monster travelled smoothly in third throughout, always within striking distance as the race gradually built in intensity approaching the home turn. Turning for home, the principals began to quicken and the contest developed into a tactical battle between the leading trio. Inside the final furlong Deep Monster was produced to challenge, gradually wearing down the front-runners before edging ahead in the closing strides to seal victory. Goliath, owned by Resolute Bloodstock and Baron Philip Von Ullmann and trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, set the pace and fought on gamely to take second, finishing a length ahead of Giavellotto. The latter, representing Scuderia La Tesa Limited and Vaibhav Shah and prepared by Marco Botti, stayed on under Pierre-Charles Boudot to secure third.

Alhaarith claims HH The Amir Silver Sword

Alhaarith (AF Al Buraq x Jamaheer) captured the HH The Amir Silver Sword, the second race on the card and a Class 1 contest for four-year-old Purebred Arabians over 2000m, contested by 14 runners. The Group-winning bay colt, carrying the colours of Al Wasmiyah Farm and trained by François Rohaut, made a striking Qatar debut, travelling prominently before unleashing a decisive turn of foot in the home straight to draw clear for a commanding seven-and-a-half-length victory under Christophe Soumillon.

Settled close to the pace through the early and middle stages, Alhaarith always travelled strongly as the field remained compact behind the leaders. Approaching the home turn he crept closer with minimal urging, and once straightened for the run in he was produced to challenge and quickly asserted, sweeping past his rivals with authority before powering away in the closing stages. Geina (Mister Ginoux), owned by Dukhan Racing and trained by Ahmed Al Jehani, stayed on under Adrie De Vries to take second, finishing a head ahead of Dawod. The latter, representing Al Wasmiyah Farm and prepared by Hamad Al-Jehani, ran on under Szczepan Mazur to secure third.

Basalt lands HH The Amir Shalfa

Basalt (Pinatubo x Alienate) took the honours in the HH The Amir Shalfa, a 2000m Thoroughbred Handicap for ratings 85 and above, Class 2, contested by 15 runners, as the final day of the HH The Amir Sword Festival opened in dramatic fashion. The four-year-old grey colt, racing for H.E. Mansoor bin Ebrahim Al-Mahmoud and trained by Gassim Al Ghazali, continued his excellent campaign with a fourth victory from six starts this season, being produced at the decisive moment to prevail in a blanket finish under Maxime Guyon.

Racing close to contention throughout, Basalt was always well placed as the field travelled in a compact formation through the early and middle stages. The tempo remained honest with several runners holding chances turning for home, and the contest developed into a tightly packed battle as they straightened for the run to the line. Inside the final furlong the principals converged almost in unison, with Basalt pressing forward gamely between rivals and finding just enough to edge ahead where it mattered most, the first four separated only by two necks and a short head in a pulsating finish. Pacifiste (Saxon Warrior), representing Sharq Stud and trained by Mohd Ahmed Mohd Hasan Al-Sulaiti, stayed on strongly under Jefferson Smith to take second. Aafoor (Qurbaan), owned by Al Jeryan Stud and prepared by M.H.K. Al Attiyah, finished a neck behind in third under Szczepan Mazur, with Thor’s Hammer (Night Of Thunder), carrying the colours of Al Rufaa Racing and saddled by Gassim Al Ghazali, a short head further back in fourth under Marco Casamento.

Chdia lands Qatar International Cup

Chdia (Al Mourtajez x Rkaya) captured the Qatar International Cup, the fifth race on the card and a Group 1 contest for four-year-old Purebred Arabians and upwards over 1600m, contested by seven runners. The five-year-old chestnut mare, racing for Wathnan Racing and trained by Alban de Mieulle, enhanced her outstanding record with a sixth victory from ten starts while securing a second successive win on the day for her connections, asserting when it mattered most under Christophe Soumillon.

Settled in a handy position through the early stages, Chdia travelled strongly as the field maintained a steady tempo. The principals remained closely grouped approaching the home turn, with several runners holding chances as the contest began to develop.

In the straight, Chdia quickened decisively to take command and soon asserted her superiority, drawing clear with authority as her rivals struggled to match her change of pace in the closing stages. Lino (AF AlBahar), owned by Yannick Schulz and Eric Dell’Ova and trained by Eric Dell’Ova, stayed on under Ioritz Mendizabal to take second, finishing 1¾ lengths ahead of Mac’zoom Al Shahania. The latter, representing Al Shahania Stud and prepared by Rudy Nerbonne, kept on under Cristian Demuro to secure third.

Hassan Youssef Al-Obaidly, Director of Programs at The Social & Sport Contribution Fund (DAAM), presented the Qatar International Cup following the race.

Make Me King regains crown in Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cup

Make Me King (Dark Angel x Miss Infinity) returned to winning ways in the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cup, a Listed contest for four-year-olds and upwards over 1600m, contested by nine runners. The six-year-old grey gelding, carrying the colours of Wathnan Racing and trained by Hamad Al-Jehani, raced prominently throughout before proving strongest in the concluding stages, drawing clear to score by a length and a quarter under Pierre-Charles Boudot.

The early tempo was honest with the field well grouped as they settled into stride, several runners disputing the lead while Make Me King maintained a prominent position just off the pace. Approaching the home turn the race began to take shape as the principals edged closer together, each jockey seeking a clear path for the decisive run. Inside the final furlong, Make Me King asserted with authority and soon put the result beyond doubt, lengthening his advantage as the pursuers battled for the minor honours behind him. The contest for second proved far tighter, developing into a prolonged duel between the nearest challengers. Holloway Boy (Ulysses), owned by N White, S White, T White and Mrs E Burke and trained in Britain by Karl Burke, stayed on under Sam James to take second, finishing just a neck ahead of Aemilianus. The latter, representing Sheikh Mohammed Salman M Al-Thani and prepared by Gassim Al Ghazali, ran on strongly under Marco Casamento to secure third in a tightly contested finish for the placings.

Charles O’Neill, Chief Executive Officer of Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, awarded the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cup following the race.

August George edges thriller in Al Rayyan Mile Cup

August George (Night Of Thunder x Citadelle) captured the Al Rayyan Mile Cup, the seventh race on the card and a QA Group 2 contest for three-year-old Thoroughbreds over 1600m, contested by 10 runners. The bay gelding, racing for Sheikh Mohammed Salman Al-Thani and trained by Gassim Al Ghazali, registered a fourth victory from seven starts while maintaining his record of never finishing outside the first two, producing a sharp late surge from midfield to prevail by a head under Maxime Guyon, who rode his third winner on the day as his trainer saddled a second.

Drawn widest of all, August George was settled in midfield through the early and middle stages as the pace remained honest and the field travelled compactly. Approaching the home turn the leaders began to feel pressure from those in behind, with several runners lining up their challenges in what was shaping into a tightly contested finish. Inside the final furlong the race developed into a blanket finish, with the leading trio locked together and separated by only two heads at the line. August George finished strongest of all, surging between rivals in the closing strides to snatch victory right on the post. Andab (Saxon Warrior), owned by Al Shaqab Racing and Trevor C. Stewart and trained by Joseph Patrick O’Brien, pressed his challenge under Pierre-Charles Boudot to take second, finishing another head ahead of Pacific Avenue. The latter, representing Godolphin and prepared by Charlie Appleby, stayed on strongly under William Buick to secure third.

Bader bin Mohammed Al-Drawish, Acting Chief Executive Officer of QREC, presented the Al Rayyan Mile Cup following the race.

Quinault makes all in Dukhan Sprint Cup

Quinault (Oasis Dream x Queimada) landed the Dukhan Sprint Cup, the eighth and feature race on the card, a QA Group 3 contest for three-year-olds and upwards over 1200m, contested by six runners. The six-year-old bay gelding, racing for TJE Racing and trained by Stuart Williams, returned a stronger performer in this year’s renewal after finishing third in the race last season, making all from the outset and maintaining his advantage throughout to score by a length under Marco Ghiani.

Breaking sharply, Quinault went straight to the front and set a controlled tempo, always travelling comfortably as his rivals tracked in behind. The order remained largely unchanged through the middle stages with the leader dictating matters, conserving enough to respond when pressure arrived approaching the home straight. Once in the straight, Quinault lengthened again and continued to find under urging, keeping his pursuers at bay as they attempted to close. Though challengers loomed late, he held firm to the line to complete a pillar-to-post success. Taxiwala (Holy Roman Emperor), owned and trained by Osama Omer Al-Dafea, stayed on under Pierre-Charles Boudot to take second, finishing just a head ahead of Lethal Levi. The latter, representing Made In Thailand and trained by Karl Burke, ran on under Sam James to secure third in a tight finish for the placings.

H.E. Meshaal bin Ali Al Attiyah, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Bosnia and Herzegovina, presented the Dukhan Sprint Cup following the race.

Wafei closes festival in style in Qatar International Thoroughbred Handicap Cup

Wafei (American Pharoah x Flying) captured the Qatar International Thoroughbred Handicap Cup, a Class 2 contest for four-year-olds and upwards rated 90–110 over 2400m, contested by eight runners, bringing the HH The Amir Sword Festival to a fitting conclusion for Wathnan Racing. The five-year-old dark bay gelding, trained by Alban de Mieulle, returned to winning ways by making full use of barrier 1, travelling in second before striking the front in the home straight and drawing clear to score by three lengths under Maxime Guyon, who rode his fourth winner on Qatar’s premier racing day while his trainer completed a treble on the card.

Settled just off the pace through the early stages, Wafei enjoyed an ideal run behind the leader as the field established rhythm. The tempo remained steady down the back straight, with the principals well positioned and several runners travelling comfortably within striking distance approaching the home turn. Turning for home, Wafei was angled out to challenge and quickly asserted, taking command with authority before lengthening clear in the final 200m. From that point he never looked in danger, maintaining a decisive advantage to the line. Hamaki (Churchill) completed a one-two for Wathnan Racing and Alban de Mieulle, staying on under Christophe Soumillon to take second, finishing half a length ahead of Studio City. The latter, owned by Faleh Suwayed Al Ajami and trained by Mohammed Al Ghazali, kept on under Soufiane Saadi to secure third.

Ahmed Amanalla Al-Sheebani, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of QREC, awarded the Qatar International Thoroughbred Handicap Cup following the race.