Loaded Gun and Hadi De Carrere headline opening day of HH The Amir Sword Festival
mdmar-Doha-Mohamed Saad
Photo by Juhaim
The 48th race meeting of the 2025/26 season took place on Wednesday, 11 February, at Al Rayyan Racecourse on the dirt, kicking off the opening day of Qatar’s premier racing event, the HH The Amir Sword Festival. The seven-race programme combined competitive Cup contests across both codes, building towards the two feature events in the sixth and seventh races, which provided a strong climax to the afternoon.
Across the seven races, the winners in order were Jungle Monarch setting the tone in the Thoroughbred Maiden Cup, Al Natibis Up asserting in the Purebred Arabian Novice Cup, Waajidd following up in the Thoroughbred Novice Cup, Dukhan Alseej proving strongest in the Purebred Arabian Handicap Cup, Sweet Fantastic dominating the Thoroughbred Handicap Cup (70–90), Loaded Gun staying on resolutely in the Thoroughbred Handicap Cup (85–105), and Hadi De Carrere delivering a commanding display in the Purebred Arabian Open Handicap Cup.
Hadi De Carrere powers to 13-length Purebred Arabian Open Handicap Cup triumph
Hadi De Carrere (Nieshan x Viki De Carrere) produced a performance of marked authority in the seventh race on the card, the Purebred Arabian Open Handicap Cup for 4yos and upwards over 1900m, Class 2, contested by six runners. The nine-year-old bay veteran recorded his second straight victory from three starts this season, having finished runner-up on the other occasion, and justified his standing with a dominant 13-length success. Owned by Sheikh Ahmad bin Mohamed bin Faleh Al-Thani and trained by Gassim Al Ghazali, he was partnered by Marco Casamento, with the pair completing a treble on the day.
Salwa (Kalino) was forward early and contested the lead before taking over approaching the home turn, setting a steady tempo through the first half of the contest. Ghanem (Tabarak) was restrained towards the rear throughout, while Hadi De Carrere travelled comfortably in a handy position, poised to strike without expending unnecessary energy. Turning into the home straight, Casamento set Hadi De Carrere alight and the response was immediate. He surged to the front inside the final 250m and quickly turned the race into a one-horse affair, drawing further clear with every stride to seal an emphatic victory without coming under threat. Ghanem, representing Al Eida Racing and also trained by Gassim Al Ghazali, stayed on under Tsubasa Sasagawa to take second, finishing 4½ lengths ahead of Salwa. The latter, owned by the Umm Bab Syndicate and prepared by Ahmed Kobeissi, kept on under Faleh Bughenaim to secure third after racing prominently for much of the contest.
Ahmed Amanalla Al-Sheebani, QREC Deputy CEO, presented the Purebred Arabian Open Handicap Cup to Sheikh Ahmad bin Mohamed bin Faleh Al-Thani, owner of Hadi De Carrere.
Loaded Gun digs deep in Thoroughbred Handicap Cup
Loaded Gun (Magna Grecia x Temerity) enhanced his fine campaign with another resolute display in the sixth and penultimate race on the card, the Thoroughbred Handicap Cup (85–105) for 4yos and upwards over 2500m, Class 2, contested by five runners. The five-year-old bay gelding recorded his fourth victory of the season, coming from off the pace before asserting late to prevail by ¾ of a length. Racing for Khalid Nasser Al-Attiya, he is trained by Gassim Al Ghazali and was partnered by Marco Casamento, with the pair completing a double on the card.
With stamina at a premium over the extended trip, Mujtaba (Dubawi) raced prominently from the outset, pressing the early leaders and ensuring an honest gallop. Loaded Gun was anchored towards the rear in the early stages, conserving energy as the field travelled through the middle section. Approaching the home turn, he began to circle the field with a sweeping move, closing rapidly on the principals. Turning into the straight, Mujtaba edged to the front and looked to have gained the upper hand, but his early exertions began to tell. Once asked to lengthen, Loaded Gun responded immediately, striking the front and kicking clear. Mujtaba rallied bravely in the closing strides, yet the leader found enough to hold on gamely for a narrow success. Mujtaba, owned by Saif Rashid Saif Al Khayarin and trained by Hamad Al-Jehani, finished second, ending 12 lengths ahead of Sussex. The latter, representing Al Jeryan Stud and prepared by M.H.K. Al Attiyah, kept on under Damien Morin to secure third as the first two home drew well clear of the remainder.
Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi, QREC Racing Manager, presented the Thoroughbred Handicap Cup following the race.
Jungle Monarch makes striking debut Thoroughbred Maiden Cup
Jungle Monarch (Bungle Inthejungle x Lady Spangles) made a striking Qatar debut to capture the Thoroughbred Maiden Cup in the day’s opener, a Class 6 contest for 3yos over 1200m, run by 13 runners. Racing in the colours of H.E. Mansoor Bin Ebrahim Al-Mahmoud and trained by Gassim Al Ghazali, the colt went straight to the front and never came under serious threat, stretching clear in the closing stages to score by 2½ lengths under Marco Casamento and break his maiden at the first local attempt.
Smartly away as the stalls opened, Jungle Monarch bounded to the lead and quickly established control in a race dominated by early speed. Wonderful Friend (Bungle Inthejungle) tracked him throughout, sitting in close attendance while Raphello (Starspangledbanner) was the first to give chase before settling in third as the field began to string out behind the leading trio. The tempo remained strong through the middle stages with no significant change in the order. Turning for home, Jungle Monarch continued to travel fluently in front and, once asked to lengthen, gradually drew further clear. Inside the final furlong, his superiority was evident as he maintained a sustained gallop to seal the outcome comfortably. Wonderful Friend, owned by Al Wasmiyah Farm and trained by Hamad Al-Jehani, kept on under Pierre-Charles Boudot to secure second, finishing 2½ lengths ahead of Raphello. The latter, representing Mohammed Nawaf Al-Rayes and prepared by Mohammed Al Ghazali, stayed on under Lukas Delozier for third, but never posed a serious challenge in the concluding stages.
Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi, QREC Racing Manager, crowned the winners following the race.
Al Natibis Up stretches clear in Purebred Arabian Novice Cup
Al Natibis Up (Al Mamun Monlau x Natica De Pompadour) translated recent consistency into a commanding victory in the second race on the card, the Purebred Arabian Novice Cup, a Class 5 contest for 4yos and upwards over 1700m, run by 13 runners. The five-year-old chestnut, owned and trained by Osama Omer Al-Dafea, tracked the pace throughout before asserting decisively inside the final 300m to score by 5½ lengths under Pierre-Charles Boudot.
After a slightly untidy beginning in the very early strides, AJS Sinjaar (AF AlBahar) recovered quickly to race prominently and soon set the pace through the early and middle stages. Al Natibis Up settled in close attendance, travelling smoothly just behind the leader while Awamir (No Risk Al Maury) was restrained towards the rear as the field found its rhythm. Approaching the final bend, Al Natibis Up edged closer under a patient ride and straightened for home within striking distance. Once asked to lengthen, he quickened smartly and soon put daylight between himself and his rivals, drawing steadily clear in the closing stages for an emphatic success. Yaqoob, owned by Hamad Meret Al-Hajri and trained by Hamad Al-Jehani, kept on under Arnaud De Lepine to secure second, finishing five lengths ahead of Awamir. The latter, owned by Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari and prepared by Zuhair Mohsen, made late headway under Szczepan Mazur to take third but was unable to bridge the gap to the leading pair.
Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi, QREC Racing Manager, handed over the trophies to the winners following the race.
Waajidd strikes late in Thoroughbred Novice Cup
In the third race, Waajidd (Dark Angel x Rekdhat) followed up in decisive fashion to land the Thoroughbred Novice Cup, a Class 5 contest for 4yos and upwards over 1700m, run by 14 runners. The four-year-old bay gelding secured back-to-back victories, settling in mid-division before delivering a telling burst inside the final 200m to surge clear by 3½ lengths. Racing for Khalid bin Ghanem Al-Kuwari, he is trained by Zuhair Mohsen and was produced with precision by Szczepan Mazur.
Assertively (Acclamation) was sharp from the gates and soon assumed control, setting the pace through the early stages and maintaining the advantage up to the final bend. Lord Deputy (Dubawi), meanwhile, was restrained towards the rear before improving steadily into midfield as the race developed. Waajidd travelled comfortably in behind the leaders, creeping closer approaching the home turn without expending unnecessary energy. Turning for home, Lord Deputy was angled out and briefly pressed the long-time leader in the early part of the straight, but his challenge proved short-lived. Waajidd, switched into the clear, quickened impressively inside the final 200m, brushing past his rivals and drawing clear with authority to settle matters convincingly. Lord Deputy, owned by Al Ghazali Stud and trained by Gassim Al Ghazali, stayed on under Marco Casamento to take second, finishing four lengths ahead of Assertively. The latter, representing Abdulrahman Fahad Al-Attiyah and prepared by Ahmed Al Jehani, kept on under Pierre-Charles Boudot for third after setting the tempo for much of the race.
Abdulaziz Al Yafei, representative of Loom Company, awarded the Thoroughbred Novice Cup following the race.
Dukhan Alseej asserts in Purebred Arabian Handicap Cup
Dukhan Alseej (Gazwan x Dheba Dukhan) prevailed in the fourth race on the card, the Purebred Arabian Handicap Cup (0–70) for 4yos and upwards over 1900m, Class 5, restricted to Qatari and apprentice riders and contested by 13 runners. The five-year-old grey gelding, racing for Ali Hamad Al-Atteya and trained by Jassim Hamad Al-Atteya, raced prominently throughout before staying on resolutely to score by 1¼ lengths under Hamza Lakhlouy.
Taaghi (Al Mourtajez) was sharp from the gates and dominated the lead from the outset, dictating the tempo through the early and middle stages. Dukhan Alseej tracked the pace closely, alternating between second and third as the field settled into position, while Thouab Al Shahania (Assy) travelled towards the rear before making gradual headway into midfield. Turning for home, Taaghi continued to travel strongly in front and looked on course for victory as he straightened for the run-in. Dukhan Alseej, however, was poised in close attendance and began to apply sustained pressure. Inside the final 100m, the early leader began to feel the effects of his exertions, and Dukhan Alseej wore him down to take control, forging ahead late to seal the outcome. Taaghi, owned by Al Meqdam Racing and trained by Maayouf bin Hashim Al-Shamari, kept on under Salman Fahad Al-Hajri to secure second, finishing 3¾ lengths ahead of Thouab Al Shahania. The latter, representing Ahmed Hassan Al Malki Al Jehani and prepared by Hamad Al-Jehani, stayed on under Saleh Faraj Al-Otaibi to take third after improving steadily from the rear.
Ahmed Amanalla Al-Sheebani, QREC Deputy CEO, presented the Purebred Arabian Handicap Cup following the race.
Sweet Fantastic dominates Thoroughbred Handicap Cup
Sweet Fantastic (Lope De Vega x Allez Alaia) delivered a performance of authority in the fifth race on the card, the Thoroughbred Handicap Cup (70–90) for 3yos and upwards over 1200m, Class 3, contested by 13 runners. The four-year-old chestnut gelding continued his progressive campaign, recording his second win from six starts alongside four placed efforts. Racing for Hamad Abdulhadi Al-Hajri and trained by Hamad Al-Jehani, he travelled prominently throughout before powering clear to score by 5¾ lengths under Szczepan Mazur, who completed a double on the day.
Settled within striking distance from the outset, Sweet Fantastic tracked the pace comfortably through the early and middle stages. The Dunkirk Lads (Pivotal) was restrained towards the rear as the tempo held firm, while Silver Jubilee (Dubawi) maintained a handy position in behind the leading group as the field approached the home turn. Straightening for home, Sweet Fantastic was asked to lengthen and responded immediately. Inside the final 200m he asserted with conviction, drawing steadily away from his rivals and extending his advantage with every stride to settle the contest decisively. The Dunkirk Lads finished strongly from the rear under Jefferson Smith but could make no impression on the winner. Silver Jubilee kept on in the closing stages without threatening the leading pair. The Dunkirk Lads, owned by Mohammed Hamad Al-Hajri & Sons and trained by Hadi Al Ramzani, took second, finishing 3¼ lengths ahead of Silver Jubilee. The latter, representing North Racing and also prepared by Hamad Al-Jehani, stayed on under Pierre-Charles Boudot to secure third.
Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi, QREC Racing Manager, handed over the Thoroughbred Handicap Cup following the race.
