Lady De Faust headlines Athbah Cup card in emphatic style
Mdmar – Doha – Mohamed Saad
The Athbah Cup Day marked the 35th race meeting of the 2025/26 season, staged on Saturday, 10 January, on the turf at Al Uqda Racecourse, with a seven-race programme that blended stamina, speed and steadily rising quality before culminating in a commanding feature. Bin La Hoor opened proceedings by finally shedding his maiden tag, Al Shalfa SK followed with a deserved breakthrough and RB Hot Mess produced a telling late surge over the staying trip. Al Gamamah then edged a hard-fought contest, Khalil Du Croate repeated last season’s success in a tougher renewal and Ghafan stamped his authority with a wide-margin sprinting display, all building momentum towards a feature that was settled in emphatic fashion by Lady De Faust in the Athbah Cup.
Rashid Saed Adiba, Head of QREC Racing Operations Section, presented the trophies of the Athbah Cup to the winners of the meeting’s final and feature contest.
Lady De Faust dominates Athbah Cup
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Lady De Faust (AF Al Buraq x Bonne Foulee) delivered a commanding display to land Race 7, the Athbah Cup, a Purebred Arabian Premium Maidens contest for 4–7YOs over 1400m, Class 6, with 14 runners. Making her ninth career start and only her second appearance in Qatar, the five-year-old bay mare built on her fourth-place finish in the 4YO Purebred Arabian Oaks in December to assert decisively, powering clear under a hands-and-heels ride to score by 5 lengths. She carries the colours of Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari, was prepared by Julian Smart, and was partnered by Pierre Charles Boudot, completing a double on the evening for the owner-trainer-jockey combination.
Away alertly, Lady De Faust briefly showed early initiative before settling into third as Fath Alkhair (Mister Ginoux) and Shakeemah Gold (Al Mamun Monlau) disputed the lead. The order at the head of affairs remained unchanged through the early and middle stages, with Marzoog (AF AlBahar) improving to move ahead of Lady De Faust, who continued to travel strongly and within herself. Entering the home straight, Shakeemah Gold pressed on to take over, but Lady De Faust was immediately produced in pursuit. Showing a sharp and decisive turn of foot, she swept past the leader inside the final 300m and quickly established a commanding advantage, putting the result beyond doubt. Lattam (No Risk Al Maury), who had been held towards the rear before improving into midfield, finished strongly to take second for Abdulrahman Fahad Al-Attiyah, trainer Hamad Al-Jehani and jockey Szczepan Mazur. Jabra’an Al Shahania (Gazwan) also came from off the pace, having raced between the rear and midfield for much of the contest and stayed on well under Alberto Sanna to secure third for Saeed Nasser Al-Qadi and trainer Mohammed Al Ghazali, 1¼ lengths further back.
Bin La Hoor strikes late to shed maiden tag
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Bin La Hoor (La Hoor x Ghaya) finally broke through in Race 1, a Local Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate for 4–7YOs over 2200m, a Class 6 contest with 12 runners, building on his latest fourth-place finish to score on his tenth career start. The five-year-old grey horse prevailed by a length, carrying the colours of Hassan bin Ali Hassan Al Matwi, prepared by Mohammed Hassan Al Matwi and partnered by Szczepan Mazur.
Racing prominently from the outset, Bin La Hoor initially settled in fourth before improving after the first 1000m to sit third, tracking a sequence of changing leaders. Al Qaws (Dahess) showed the first initiative before Agshar (Al Mourtajez) took over shortly after the start, only for Al Masdar (No Risk Al Maury) to move through and establish a modest advantage, with Agshar pressing on his outside and Bin La Hoor close up in behind. The field then raced in a long, strung-out line through the middle stages, the tempo steady and the order at the head of affairs largely unchanged.
Approaching the home turn, Agshar applied pressure to strike the front, but that move prompted Bin La Hoor to make his bid. Improving quickly, he moved up to take over and the home straight developed into a contest of fine margins. Inside the final 200m, the lead briefly changed hands between Agshar and Al Qaws, both appearing to have strong claims before Bin La Hoor was produced between them, responding sharply to assert in the closing strides and finally put the issue to bed.
Agshar finished second for Al Galayel Stud, trainer Tareq Essa Abdulla and jockey Alberto Sanna, holding off Al Qaws, who stayed on resolutely for third for Injaaz Stud, under the care of Zuhair Mohsen and with Maxim Bozzio in the saddle. The narrow margin, only a quarter of a length, between the runner-up and the third-placed underlined the competitive nature of the finish behind the winner.
Al Shalfa SK breaks through with decisive late effort
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Al Shalfa SK (Havana Gold x Carnoustie) shed her maiden tag in Race 2, a Local Thoroughbred Handicap (0–45) for 3YO+ over 1200m, Class 6, with 12 runners, building on recent placed efforts to score by a length on her tenth career start. The six-year-old bay mare runs in the colours of Lekhreib Stud, is trained by Abdulla Dhabit Aldosari and was partnered by Salman Fahad Al-Hajri.
Breaking cleanly, Al Shalfa SK settled into a handy third position, always within striking distance as the lead changed hands early between Rumooz (Danadana) and Minsk (Danadana). Soon after, S K Azam (Oasis Dream) took control and set a strong, even tempo, with Minsk tracking and Al Shalfa SK maintaining her position just behind the leading pair. The order at the head of affairs remained unchanged through the middle stages. On entering the home straight, Al Shalfa SK was produced to challenge, improving into second before locking into a sustained duel with the long-time leader. The pair quickly drew clear of the remainder, making it evident the winner would come from that battle. Inside the final 100m, Al Shalfa SK found the stronger finish, reeling in S K Azam and edging clear to secure the verdict. S K Azam stayed on to take second for owner-trainer Saeed Mohammed Shafi Al Shafi and jockey Saleh Faraj Al-Otaibi while Kyleiba At (Cable Bay), who had been held up for much of the journey, finished strongly to claim third for Al Thumama Racing, trainer Mohammed Hussain Afroz and rider Jefferson Smith, 1¾ lengths behind the runner-up.
RB Hot Mess unleashes decisive late surge
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RB Hot Mess (Rathowan x RB Hot Spot) produced a decisive late finish in Race 3, a Purebred Arabian Handicap (45–65) for 4YO+ over 2200m, a Class 6 contest with 14 runners, building on his narrow second last time to go one better and score by 3 lengths. The seven-year-old grey horse, who has shown his best form on turf rather than dirt, doubled his career tally after his winning debut in October 2022 for owner Yosuf Ahmad Telfat, trainer Bader Al Balushi and jockey Alberto Sanna.
Settled at the rear through the early and middle stages, RB Hot Mess was ridden with patience over the staying trip as Almashahar (Dahess) briefly showed the way before Hidalgo Du Croate (Al Mamun Monlau) took control and established a clear advantage. Al Eraq (Mahabb), Lagtaifia (Asraa Min Albarq) and Al Jaroudi (AF AlBahar) were the nearest chasers, but the strong early tempo raised questions about whether the leaders could sustain their effort to the line. The answer came on entering the home straight. Those held up for most of the journey began to assert, with RB Hot Mess launching his run alongside Namar (Al Sakbe) and Dahman Al Shahania (Jaafer), the trio rapidly closing on the tiring leaders and sweeping past them inside the final 200m. RB Hot Mess quickly put that contest to rest, producing a sharp turn of foot to kick clear and settle the outcome. Dahman Al Shahania stayed on to take second for Al Qadsiah Stud, trainer Yousef Al Jumaily and jockey Lukas Delozier while Namar, representing Al Galayel Stud and trainer Tareq Essa Abdulla, finished third under Ivan Rossi, only a quarter of a length behind the runner-up, as the late closers dominated the finish.
Al Gamamah edges gritty staying duel
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Al Gamamah (Trade Storm x Balaton) ground out a hard-fought success in Race 4, a Local Thoroughbred Handicap (45–65) for 4YO+ over 2100m, Class 4, with seven runners, showing continued improvement from her recent starts to score by a head and return to the winner’s enclosure for the fifth time, her first victory since April 2024. The eight-year-old bay mare carried the colours of Ibrahim Saeed Ibrahim Al Malki, was trained by the same connections, and was partnered by Tomas Lukasek.
Breaking sharply despite her wide draw, Al Gamamah initially moved up to dispute the lead before Toyota (Toronado) crossed to take over, with Tafaahum (Rio de La Plata) and Royalty (Migwar) close behind as Al Gamamah settled into fourth. The field soon formed a long, compact line through the middle stages, the order largely unchanged and the tempo even. Turning for home, Al Gamamah responded to the increase in pace, gradually closing on the leading trio. Inside the final 200m, she pressed on relentlessly to move into second, setting up a prolonged duel with Toyota well clear of the rest. The lead changed hands more than once in the closing strides, Toyota briefly regaining a narrow advantage, before Al Gamamah found extra late, thrusting her head in front right on the line. Toyota finished a tough second for Al Ezz Stud, trainer Saeed Al Shafi and jockey Szczepan Mazur while Al Jalilah (Danadana), representing Al Wasmiyah Farm and trainer Georges Mikhalides, stayed on strongly under Abdulla Rashid Al-Hajri to take third, 2 lengths back, having closed from off the pace to be best of the remainder.
Khalil Du Croate repeats the trick in testing renewal
Khalil Du Croate (No Risk Al Maury x Beanie Du Croate) returned to winning form in Race 5, a Purebred Arabian Handicap (75–95) for 5YO+ over 2200m, grinding out a narrow success by a quarter of a length. Successful in a similar contest on the same card last season over 2300m, the task proved more demanding this time, but the outcome was the same as the lightly raced gelding recorded his first win from four starts this campaign. He carries the colours of Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari, was prepared by Julian Smart and was partnered by Pierre Charles Boudot.
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The eventual first three home were prominent from the outset. Farhan (Al Mourtajez) set the early pace, with Khalil Du Croate tracking closely in second ahead of El Ghazi (Gazwan) while Jalaad Al Shahania (Jaafer ASF) settled just behind in fourth. The field travelled at a steady tempo in a long, stretched line, with noticeable gaps that began to close passing the 1100m as the runners edged closer together. Approaching the home straight, Farhan continued to dictate, with El Ghazi and the late-improving Kafalat (Kalino) applying pressure across the track while Jalaad Al Shahania momentarily dropped back before being brought into contention. Inside the final 200m, momentum swung decisively as Khalil Du Croate and Jalaad Al Shahania both surged back into the contest, setting up a three-way battle with the long-time leader. In the closing stages, Khalil Du Croate proved the strongest, finding just enough to settle the contest. Jalaad Al Shahania finished second for Al Shahania Stud, trainer Rudy Nerbonne and jockey Lukas Delozier, with Farhan staying on for third for Abdulrahman Fahad Al-Attiyah, under the care of Mohammed Al Ghazali and ridden by Soufiane Saadi, a further half a length back.
Ghafan powers clear with authority
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Ghafan (Zelzal x Light Up My Life) delivered another commanding performance in Race 6, a Local Thoroughbred Handicap (55–80) for 4YO+ over 1200m, a Class 2 contest with five runners, scoring by a widening 3¼ lengths. A new addition this season, the five-year-old bay gelding recorded his second win from six career starts — all this campaign — adding to a consistent profile that includes a second and two thirds. He races in the colours of his owner-trainer Ibrahim Khaled Elahmed and was partnered by Jefferson Smith.
Restrained early, Ghafan was settled at the rear alongside Al Nasr Al Washeek (Toronado) through the early and middle stages as Barq Al Atam (Trade Storm) dictated from the front. Doghan (Windsor Palace) and Irtiqaa (Kendargent) tracked the leader, briefly swapping positions, but the overall order changed little as the field travelled at an even tempo. Once straightened, the complexion shifted decisively. Ghafan and Al Nasr Al Washeek were produced with momentum, closing rapidly on the leader, who briefly held on at the start of the straight. Ghafan, however, quickened with purpose, surging to the front and extending his advantage with every stride. Inside the final 200m, he put the race beyond doubt under a hands-and-heels ride. Barq Al Atam, the long-time leader, stayed on to take second for Sheikh Faisal bin Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani, trainer Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki and jockey Tomas Lukasek while Al Nasr Al Washeek, representing Injaaz Stud and trained by Jihad El Ahmad, finished third under Alberto Sanna, 2 lengths behind the runner-up.
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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.
