Jungle Monarch extends unbeaten run with commanding Rowdat Rashid Cup triumph
Mdmar – Doha – Mohamed Saad
Photos by Juhim
Jungle Monarch maintained his perfect record with a commanding victory in the Rowdat Rashid Cup, the feature of QREC’s 7th race meeting of the 2026/27 season at Al Rayyan Racecourse on Wednesday, 4 November. The 3yo gelding, who had won all 5 starts last season, made an emphatic return to action, powering clear to register his 6th consecutive victory and complete a treble for both trainer Gassim Al Ghazali and jockey Marco Casamento. Mr Saad Ali Al Kubaisi, Deputy Director of the QREC Registration & Studbook Department, presented the Rowdat Rashid Cup following the conclusion of the 9-race programme staged on dirt.
The afternoon opened with Estithmar making all to score by 6 lengths before High Approval produced a devastating late burst to break his maiden by 6¼ lengths. Kraar followed with a determined victory at the second attempt in Qatar while Mutheer Al Naif left his disappointing debut behind to open his account in emphatic fashion. Jabahat then repeated her success in the corresponding race last season, providing trainer Jihad El Ahmad with a double and jockey Alberto Sanna with a treble on the card. Yaqoob ended a 13-race winless campaign by making a successful seasonal return before veteran Hadi De Carrere justified favouritism with a spectacular late charge. Damaah subsequently made every yard count to continue her excellent run of form, setting the stage for Jungle Monarch’s dazzling display in the finale, where he extended his unbeaten sequence to 6 and brought a thrilling day’s racing to a fitting close.
Jungle Monarch makes it 6 from 6 with dazzling display
Jungle Monarch (Bungle Inthejungle x Lady Spangles) picked up exactly where he left off last season, extending his unbeaten record with a commanding victory in Race 9, the Rowdat Rashid Cup, the day’s feature contest. The 3yo bay gelding, who won all 5 of his starts last campaign, made a spectacular seasonal reappearance in the 1200m Thoroughbred Handicap (85-105) for 3yos+, a Class 2 event featuring 7 runners. Carrying the colours of HE Mansoor bin Ebrahim Al-Mahmoud, Jungle Monarch swept to a 3-length success, completing a treble on the card for both trainer Gassim Al Ghazali and jockey Marco Casamento.
Leaving stall 6, Jungle Monarch settled prominently in second and third, always travelling within striking distance of the leaders. Weissmuller (Bungleinthejungle) set the early pace before Future Man (Candy Ride) took over through the middle stages, with National Park (Dubawi) also prominent just ahead of the eventual winner. Casamento remained patient aboard Jungle Monarch, who travelled smoothly behind the leading group before being unleashed as the field entered the home straight. The response was devastating. With an explosive change of gear, the unbeaten gelding swept past his rivals to seize command, immediately putting the outcome beyond serious doubt. Far from easing his effort, Jungle Monarch continued to accelerate inside the final 300m, stretching further clear with every stride.
The Dunkirk Lads (Pivotal), who had raced towards the rear through the early and middle stages, finished strongly to take second under Jefferson Smith, carrying the colours of Mohammed Hamad Al-Hajri & Sons for trainer Hadi Al Ramzani. Sweet Fantastic (Lope De Vega) also made good late headway to claim third, a further 1½ lengths behind, with Alberto Sanna aboard for owner Hamad Abdulhadi Al-Hajri and trainer Hamad Al-Jehani. Neither, however, could threaten the runaway winner.
Damaah makes all to extend impressive run of form
Damaah (AF AlBahar x Farashat Yasmina) continued her excellent run of form with a commanding front-running victory in Race 8, the 1200m Local Purebred Arabian Handicap (70-95) for 4yos+, a Class 3 contest featuring 8 runners. The 5yo bay mare, carrying the colours of Abdulaziz Saleh Al Jaber, made every yard count under Jefferson Smith to score by a length for trainer Hadi Al Ramzani. Having ended last season with a victory following 2 runner-up finishes, Damaah returned with a third-place effort on her seasonal reappearance before striking in style on her second outing of the campaign.
Making full use of her inside draw in stall 1, Damaah sprang from the gates and immediately seized command, quickly establishing a substantial advantage over her pursuers. Makarim (Alam Al Khalediah), Afandem (AF AlBahar) and Al-Yaseen Zakhir (Al Mamun Monlau) formed the nearest chasing group, but none could make any impression on the runaway leader through the early and middle stages. The order remained largely unchanged until the approach to the home turn when Galeb Al Shahania (Burning Sand), who had been travelling in midfield, began to make significant headway. He advanced into third entering the straight and set about reducing Damaah’s commanding lead. With 200m remaining, Damaah still appeared to have the contest firmly in her grasp, having dictated proceedings throughout without facing a serious challenge. Galeb Al Shahania, however, refused to concede defeat. Gathering momentum inside the final 100m, he steadily ate into her advantage and closed even more rapidly over the final 50m. But the winning post arrived before he could get close enough to threaten, leaving Damaah to complete a thoroughly deserved pillar-to-post success.
Galeb Al Shahania secured second under Patrick Cosgrave for Al Eida Racing and trainer Gassim Al Ghazali. Stablemate Al-Yaseen Zakhir finished a further 3 lengths behind in third, partnered by Marco Casamento and representing Sheikh Ahmad bin Mohamed bin Faleh Al-Thani.
Hadi De Carrere turns on the style with devastating late charge
Hadi De Carrere (Nieshan x Viki De Carrere) justified his position as hot favourite with a brilliant late charge to land Race 7, the 1900m Purebred Arabian Conditions contest for 4yos+, featuring 8 runners. The veteran 9yo bay horse, owned by Sheikh Ahmad bin Mohamed bin Faleh Al-Thani, produced his trademark acceleration to score by 2½ lengths, completing a double on the card for both trainer Gassim Al Ghazali and jockey Marco Casamento. His emphatic success marked a sharp improvement on his fourth-place finish from 6 runners on his seasonal reappearance last month.
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Starting from stall 4, Hadi De Carrere was held up in second-last position through the early and middle stages while Al Bayyin Grine (Al Mourtajez) and El Ghazi (Gazwan) disputed the early lead. El Ghazi eventually established himself in front, with Al Bayyin Grine and Al Nati Up (Al Mamun Monlau) leading the pursuit. The battle intensified approaching the home turn as Al Bayyin Grine renewed his challenge and moved ahead, only for El Ghazi to respond and regain the initiative. Meanwhile, Hadi De Carrere had quietly made significant headway, advancing into fifth and moving within striking distance of the leaders. With 300m remaining, El Ghazi appeared to have the race at his mercy. Just 100m later, Al Bayyin Grine had wrested back the advantage and looked poised for victory. But neither had reckoned with the favourite’s finishing power. Sweeping down the outside, Hadi De Carrere unleashed a devastating turn of foot, surging past the battling leaders and drawing rapidly clear to settle the contest in emphatic fashion.
Al Nati Up finished second under Muanis Al Siyabi, representing Sharq Stud and trainer Mohd Ahmed Al-Sulaiti. Al Bayyin Grine held third, just a head further behind, for owner Faraj Saleh Al-Otaibi, trainer Hamad Al-Jehani and jockey Soufiane Saadi.
Yaqoob holds firm to end lengthy losing run
Yaqoob (Al Mourtajez x Farh) made a winning return to action in Race 6, the 1900m Purebred Arabian Handicap (0-75) for 3yos+, a Class 5 contest restricted to Qatari and apprentice jockeys, with 9 runners going to post. The 6yo grey gelding, owned by Hamad Meret Al-Hajri, held on by ¼ length under Ghanim Ahmed Al-Jehani to double his career tally. Having gone winless in 13 starts last season despite several runner-up finishes, Yaqoob returned in much better form, providing trainer Hamad Al-Jehani with a double on the card.
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Breaking smartly from stall 4, Yaqoob settled in second behind Hidalgo Du Croate (Al Mamun Monlau), who set a strong early gallop and quickly established a 4–5-length advantage over the chasing field. Awamir (No Risk Al Maury) and Prince D’ossau (Al Tair) followed the leading pair as the pacesetter eased into a steadier rhythm through the middle stages, with the running order remaining largely unchanged. The field began to close up approaching the home turn where Hidalgo Du Croate’s long spell in front finally started to take its toll. Yaqoob was ideally placed to capitalise, rapidly reducing the deficit before sweeping past the weakening leader on entering the straight. But the race was far from settled. Kafalat (Kalino) emerged from the chasing pack with a sustained challenge, steadily eating into Yaqoob’s advantage and threatening to deny him a long-awaited return to the winner’s enclosure. Yaqoob, however, refused to yield, digging deep to preserve his slender lead all the way to the line.
Kafalat took second for owner Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik, trainer Ahmed Kobeissi and jockey Mohammed Hassan Alabdulmalik. Chrome (Pharfadet), who had raced towards the rear for much of the journey, finished strongly to claim third, a further 2¼ lengths behind, carrying the colours of Abdulla Abdulmonem Mohammed Al-Ibrahim under Ali Zaalan for trainer Hadi Al Ramzani.
Jabahat repeats last season’s triumph with another dominant display
Jabahat (Holy Roman Emperor x Means Of Assent) marked her seasonal reappearance with an emphatic victory in Race 5, the 1900m Local Thoroughbred Handicap (0-45) for 3yos+, a Class 6 contest featuring 8 runners. The 7yo bay mare, representing Injaaz Stud, scored by 4 lengths under Alberto Sanna, remarkably repeating her success in the same race on the corresponding day last season when she prevailed by 4½ lengths. Her latest triumph completed a double for trainer Jihad El Ahmad and a quick-fire double for Sanna, who also brought up a treble on the card.
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Leaving stall 7, Jabahat was content to settle in midfield, conserving her energy as Achika (Migwar) took charge of the early running. Al Jalilah (Danadana), Al Theeba (Zoffany) and Inbihar (Footstepsinthesand) raced in close attendance, repeatedly exchanging positions behind the long-time leader while Jabahat remained patiently positioned a little further back. The race began to unfold approaching the home turn. Al Theeba made a bold move to seize the initiative as Achika’s early efforts began to take their toll. Jabahat, meanwhile, was making rapid headway, advancing into second with Sanna still appearing to have plenty in reserve. Al Jalilah also responded strongly, sweeping forward to take command in the early part of the home straight. But Jabahat had yet to reveal her full hand. Inside the final 300m, Sanna asked the mare to quicken and she responded with a devastating burst of acceleration, sweeping past the battling leaders and opening up a commanding advantage. By the 200m mark, the outcome was beyond doubt and Jabahat galloped on strongly to seal another convincing victory.
Al Jalilah held second under Soufiane Saadi, carrying the colours of Al Wasmiyah Farm for trainer Mohammed Al Ghazali. Al Theeba finished a further 4½ lengths behind in third, with Ali Zaalan aboard for owner Ibrahim Khaled Elahmed and trainer Mohamed Khaled Elahmed.
Mutheer Al Naif makes amends with emphatic maiden victory
Mutheer Al Naif (AF AlBahar x Jaerat Al Naif) left his disappointing debut firmly behind with an impressive victory in Race 4, the 1200m Local Purebred Arabian Maiden for 3-6yos, a Class 6 contest attracting 13 runners. The 4yo grey colt, carrying the colours of Al Naif Racing, opened his account at the second attempt, scoring by 3½ lengths under Alberto Sanna, who completed a double on the card. Trained by Mohamed Khaled Elahmed, Mutheer Al Naif had finished 12th of 13 over 1400m on turf on his sole previous appearance towards the end of last season, but returned a vastly improved performer.
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Drawn wide in stall 11, Mutheer Al Naif settled in midfield as AJS Lekhraib (Munjiz) immediately seized the initiative, setting a strong gallop and establishing a commanding advantage over his nearest pursuer, AJS Zelzal (Rasheed). Atlas Zakhir (TM Thunder Struck), Seroor Al Shahania (Aziz ASF) and Folad Zakhir (La Hoor) formed the next group while the eventual winner began making gradual headway approaching the home turn. AJS Lekhraib still held sway entering the straight, but his advantage was rapidly diminishing. Atlas Zakhir and Seroor Al Shahania closed in, with Mutheer Al Naif gathering momentum behind them. Passing the 300m mark, Sanna sent his mount forward with a decisive challenge and the grey surged into the lead as the long-time pacesetter’s early exertions began to tell. Once in front, Mutheer Al Naif continued to draw clear, eventually being eased down in the final 50m to seal a comfortable victory.
Folad Zakhir claimed second for Rashid Mohammed Al-Hajri, trainer Abdulla Dhabit Aldosari and jockey Salman Fahad Al-Hajri. Ghada (No Risk Al Maury), having raced towards the rear, finished strongly to snatch third by a head from Shebal Al Meydan (AF AlBahar), another 4 lengths behind the runner-up. She represented Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari, with Hamad Al-Jehani training and Nicolas Baudet in the saddle.
Kraar shows determination to break maiden in style
Kraar (Footstepsinthesand x Big Little Lie) showed admirable determination to open his winning account in Race 3, the 1200m Thoroughbred Maiden for 2yos, a Class 6 contest featuring 5 runners. The bay gelding, owned by Abdulrahman Mohammed Al-Attiyah, trained by Gassim Al Ghazali and ridden by Marco Casamento, prevailed by 1¼ lengths on his fifth career start and second appearance in Qatar. Having finished runner-up over 1400m on turf on his local debut just a week earlier, Kraar made the switch to the shorter distance and different surface count.
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Away smartly, Kraar settled into third behind Shoof (Starman) and Time Saxon Warrior (Saxon Warrior), who disputed the early running before Shoof established himself at the head of the field. The leading trio maintained their positions through the early and middle stages, racing 1–2 lengths ahead of Ricky Punting (Nando Parrado) and Cousin Rachel (Postponed), who followed at the rear. The contest began to take shape entering the home straight. Responding readily when Casamento asked him to quicken, Kraar moved into second and set off in pursuit of Shoof, who was still travelling strongly in front. Passing the 300m mark, the pair began to pull decisively clear of their rivals, turning the closing stages into a compelling head-to-head battle. Shoof initially resisted the challenge, maintaining a slender advantage as Kraar continued to press. But the determined gelding refused to relent, finding extra inside the final 50m to overhaul the long-time leader and secure a well-earned maiden victory.
Shoof held second under Arnaud De Lepine, representing Mubarak Ali Al-Nuaimi and trainer Hamad Al-Jehani. A remarkable 13 lengths further back, stablemate Cousin Rachel took third with Nicolas Baudet aboard, carrying the colours of Mohammed Ahmed Al-Jehani and completing a second-and-third finish for Hamad Al-Jehani.
High Approval unleashes devastating late burst to break maiden
High Approval (Mehmas x Unsinkable Sam) produced a spectacular last-to-first performance to break his maiden in Race 2, the 1200m Thoroughbred Maiden for 3-6yos, a Class 6 contest featuring 12 runners. The 3yo bay gelding, owned by Abdulla Mohammed Al-Khayareen, trained by Hamad Al-Jehani and ridden by Arnaud De Lepine, swept clear to score by an emphatic 6¼ lengths. Having made 8 starts in Britain before arriving in Qatar, he improved dramatically on his fourth-place finish on his local debut to open his account at the second attempt.
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Drawn in stall 4, High Approval was held up towards the rear through the early and middle stages as Forteleza (Zoustar) took command from Perfect Dark (Ardad) shortly after the start. Forteleza maintained her advantage, pursued by Gannas (Harry Angel), Saniyaat’s Star (Ardad) and Perfect Dark, with Gannas and Saniyaat’s Star exchanging positions behind the leader. Approaching the home turn, High Approval had quietly worked his way into midfield although he still faced a considerable task to bridge the gap to the leaders. He began to gather momentum in the straight, but Forteleza continued to look firmly in control as the field approached the 300m mark. Then came a remarkable transformation. High Approval suddenly found another gear, producing an electrifying burst of acceleration to sweep past his rivals and overhaul the long-time leader. Once in front, he powered relentlessly clear, turning what had appeared a difficult assignment into a runaway victory.
Behind the runaway winner, Forteleza and Perfect Dark fought a fierce battle for second, with Forteleza, carrying the colours of Saleh Saed Al-Hajri, holding on by just a neck under Maikon De Souza for trainer Nayef Batal Al-Otibi. Perfect Dark, partnered by Abdulla Rashid Al-Hajri, took third for owner Ali Faraj Al-Otaibi and trainer Owaida Salem Al Hajri. The 2 fillies claimed the minor honours, outperforming all but the winner in a field featuring just 3 female runners.
Estithmar makes every yard count in commanding 6-length victory
Estithmar (Dariyan x Sarlima) produced a commanding front-running display to land Race 1, the 1900m Thoroughbred Handicap (45-65) for 3yos+, a Class 6 contest featuring 13 runners. The 5yo bay gelding, representing Injaaz Stud, made all under Alberto Sanna to score by an emphatic 6 lengths, registering his fourth career victory. Trained by Jihad El Ahmad, he built on his midfield finish on his seasonal reappearance nearly 3 weeks earlier to return in impressive fashion.
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Despite being drawn widest of all, Estithmar needed only a couple of strides to seize the initiative, quickly establishing himself at the head of the field. Pour La Vie (Time Test) and Salah Al Deen (Magna Grecia) took up positions immediately behind him, exchanging second and third on several occasions as the leader continued to dictate proceedings. Usak (Al Kazeem), meanwhile, travelled in midfield, keeping the leading group within reach. The complexion of the race, or rather of the leader chasers, began to change turning for home. Pour La Vie started to weaken while Usak made significant headway to emerge as Estithmar’s nearest pursuer. But the leader had shown no signs of tiring, despite carrying 1 of the 3e highest weights in the field and having set the pace throughout the demanding 1900m journey. Once in the home straight, Estithmar simply moved into another gear. Responding generously to Sanna, he accelerated clear of his rivals and stretched his advantage dramatically inside the final 200m, crossing the line 6 lengths ahead in a display of complete authority.
Usak secured second for owner-trainer Saleh Al Naji Sheikh Al Yehiri and jockey Saleh Salem Al-Marri. Salah Al Deen finished a further ½ length behind in third for Aldeebl Racing, trainer Mohammed Al Ghazali and jockey Soufiane Saadi.
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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.
