Maysara strikes late to win Al Noof Cup

Mdmar – Doha – Mohamed Saad

Photo Juhaim

The 11th race meeting of the 2025/26 seaso, and the first at Al Uqda Racecourse this season, brought an energised atmosphere to the dirt track on Saturday, 15 November, with an engaging eight-race card that delivered sustained excitement from start to finish. Winners such as Axis, Mushaakis, Temple Of Hera, Liable, Mesaieed, See All Match, and Maysara kept the momentum high throughout the afternoon, but the spotlight shone brightest on the penultimate race, which ended in a dramatic dead heat between Afandem and Munhamik, a rare and thrilling moment for connections and racegoers alike. The day concluded in style with the running of the Al Noof Cup, where Maysara produced a decisive late surge to seal the feature contest and close a memorable opening fixture at Al Uqda. Rashid Saed Adiba, Head of QREC Racing Operations Section, awarded the winners of the Al Noof Cup following the final and feature race of the day.

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Maysara delivers decisive finish to land Al Noof Cup

Maysara (Dubday x Jamboretta) produced a powerful late charge to capture the Al Noof Cup, a Local Thoroughbred Open Race for 3YO+ over 1300m, headlining a competitive seven-runner Class 2 contest. The 5YO mare, owned by Mohammed Abdulhadi Al-Hajri and trained by Hamad Al-Jehani, was superbly handled by jockey Arnaud De Lepine, who guided her to an impressive victory.

Breaking cleanly from barrier 5, Maysara was settled towards the rear as Doghan (Windsor Palace) cut out the early fractions, tracked by Mutamarrid (Youmzain) and the race favourite Harb (Time Test). Midway through the race, Messaouda (Migwar) swept forward to take over, with Doghan and Harb keeping close tabs on the new leader. The complexion of the race changed dramatically in the home straight. From the middle of the pack, Maysara unleashed a decisive turn of foot, slicing through her rivals and driving past Harb in the final strides to land the spoils. Harb, trained by Ibrahim Saeed Ibrahim Al Malki for Al Rabban Racing and ridden by Tomas Lukasek, kept on well for second, three lengths ahead of Lulwat Al Faisal (Al Wukair), trained by Khalifa Hamed Nasser Al Sawai for Al Emadi Racing and ridden by Lukas Delozier, who stayed on to secure third.

Axis edges a thrilling finish to break his maiden

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Axis (Oasis Dream x Never Miss) was finally rewarded for his consistency, capturing his maiden victory on his ninth career start, and second appearance this season, with a determined, narrow success in a gripping opener, the Thoroughbred Maiden Plate for 3-7YOs over 1200m (Class 6), which attracted 13 runners. The 3YO bay gelding, owned and trained by Ibrahim Saeed Ibrahim Al Malki, built on his second-place finish a week ago and delivered a perfectly judged effort under jockey Tomas Lukasek to prevail by a short head, with only a neck separating the runner-up and third.

Axis broke alertly from barrier 1 and settled in a handy position behind the early pace, which was initially shared by Breakout Star (Oasis Dream) and, shortly after, Megalithic (Wootton Bassett). Torgot (Tasleet) then assumed control and set the tempo until the home bend where Axis began to make his decisive move. Once in the straight, he swept to the front, but immediately faced fierce challenges from North Audley (Cable Bay) and Boss Dog (Zoustar), both finishing strongly on either side of him. The three contenders flashed past the post almost inseparable, but the photo finish confirmed Axis as the winner. Boss Dog, representing Aldeebl Racing for trainer Mohammed Al Ghazali under Alberto Sanna, took second by a neck from North Audley, giving trainer Ibrahim Saeed Ibrahim Al Malki a 1–3 finish through the ride of Lukas Delozier.

Mushaakis sweeps past rivals to land maiden victory

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In the second race on the card, Mushaakis (Golden Horde x Desilusion) confirmed the promise he showed on debut, producing a powerful late run to break his maiden at just the second attempt in the Local Thoroughbred Maiden Plate for 3YOs over 1200m, a Class 6 contest featuring four runners. The bay colt, owned by Injaaz Stud, delivered a decisive performance for trainer Zuhair Mohsen under rider Gavin Matt Ryan, scoring by an impressive 3¼ lengths and giving his connections a dream result as Bin Narain finished second to complete a 1–2 for the owner.

Mushaakis was settled in third early on as Bin Narain (Vedevani) took control from the outset, closely attended by Al Shamal Road (Churchill). The leading pair travelled several lengths clear of Mushaakis and Almohandes (Atlantic Air), who remained at the rear. Approaching the home straight, the order seemed set with Bin Narain even extending the gap and appearing to have the race in hand. However, Mushaakis shifted gears in the final 200m, launching a thundering run to sweep past the long-time leader in a matter of strides before powering away to win decisively. Bin Narain, trained by Jihad El Ahmad and ridden by Alberto Sanna for Injaaz Stud, stayed on for second, 3¾ lengths ahead of Al Shamal Road, who took third for Al Jeryan Stud, trainer M.H.K Al Attiyah and jockey Szczepan Mazur.

Temple Of Hera extends unbeaten run

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Temple Of Hera (Magna Grecia x Cristale) continued his flawless start to the season with a commanding performance in Race 3, the Thoroughbred Handicap (0–70) for Qatari riders only over 1200m, Class 5, which featured nine runners. The 4YO bay gelding, representing Abdulrahman Batal Al-Otibi and trained by Nayef Batal Al-Otibi, made full use of barrier 1 to secure his second consecutive victory under jockey Saleh Faraj Al-Otaibi, scoring by a decisive two lengths.

Temple Of Hera immediately asserted himself at the head of affairs, tracked throughout by Nebrook Dream (Mayson), trained by Jassim Hamad Al-Atteya for Ali Hamad Al-Atteya, with Thanks Forever (Kessaar) close behind. Midnight City (Acclamation), trained by Hamad Al-Jehani for Mohammad Ibrahim Alfadala and ridden by Hamad Meshlesh Al-Khayarin, improved stylishly to join the leading trio approaching the 600m. The quartet turned for home in a tightly bunched line, but once asked to quicken, Temple Of Hera displayed superior strength, drawing clear in the final 200m to win with authority. Nebrook Dream kept on well for second, a length ahead of Midnight City, who completed the placings in third.

Liable powers home with dominant late surge

Liable (Frankel x Responsible) produced a commanding performance to capture Race 4, the Thoroughbred Handicap (50–70) for 3YO+ over 2000m, Class 5, which drew a full field of 14 runners. The 5YO bay horse, owned by Mohammed Abdulhadi Al-Hajri and trained by Ibrahim Saeed Ibrahim Al Malki, built on his encouraging seasonal debut to record his second win, having broken his maiden on final start of his last campaign. Under a well-timed ride from jockey Tomas Lukasek, he scored decisively by three lengths, completing a double on the day for both trainer and jockey.

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Breaking cleanly from barrier 7, Liable was deliberately settled towards the rear while Margesson (Pride Of Dubai) set a steady pace at the head of the field, holding the lead all the way to the home turn. Necessitate (Zoffany) initially gave chase before Mount Dukono (Le Havre), trained by Bader Al Balushi for owner Abdurrahman Hilmi and ridden by Arnaud De Lepine, improved around the penultimate bend to loom as the main threat. Mount Dukono swept past the long-time leader entering the home straight, with Margesson still battling on in second. However, the final 300m brought a dramatic shift. Liable unleashed a powerful, sustained run from the rear, sweeping past the leading group with authority to seize control and pull right away in the closing stages. Mount Dukono stayed on resolutely for second, finishing 2¼ lengths ahead of Funny Bunny (Trade Storm), trained and owned by Ibrahim Saeed Ibrahim Al Malki and ridden by Alberto Sanna, who was also settled behind and finished with a strong late surge to give his trainer another place on the podium.

Mesaieed stamps authority with front-running victory

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Mesaieed (Majd Al Arab x Noorah) delivered a commanding display to take Race 5, the Purebred Arabian Handicap (65–85) for 3YO+ over 1200m, Class 4, which featured a field of eight runners. The 5YO bay horse, owned by H.E. Meshaal bin Ali Al-Attiyah and trained by Gassim Al Ghazali, continued his upward curve this season, securing an impressive win on his third start under Marco Casamento. He crossed the line 2½ lengths clear of his nearest rival.

Breaking smartly from barrier 5, Mesaieed went forward to take control shortly after the start and dominated the race from that point on. Texas Storm CS (T M Fred Texas), trained by Ahmed Kobeissi for Sharida bin Nasser bin Sharida Al-Kaabi and ridden by Mohammed Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik, showed commendable speed from a wide barrier to briefly lead before settling behind the eventual winner. He continued to apply pressure throughout, with Khaled Al Shahania (Assy) also racing close up and exchanging second position several times with him. In the home straight, Texas Storm CS was driven to challenge and looked briefly capable of reeling in the long-time leader, as several others, including Habes (Harran ASF), trained by Hadi Al Ramzani for owner Abdulaziz Saleh Al Jaber and ridden by Damien Morin, finished strongly from behind. However, Mesaieed found plenty more when asked and drew away decisively in the final 100m to win with authority. Texas Storm CS held on bravely for second by a neck from Habes, who in turn finished only a head in front of Angus (General) in a tight scramble for the minor honours.

See All Match makes all for authoritative victory

See All Match (Acclamation x Peppard) made a flawless seasonal reappearance, dominating Race 6, the Thoroughbred Handicap (65–85) for 3YO+ over 2000m, Class 4, which featured a full field of 14 runners. The 4YO bay gelding, owned and trained by Abdulaziz Ali Al-Kathiri, made perfect use of barrier 1 and was confidently guided by jockey Abdulla Rashid Al-Hajri to score by a comfortable 3 lengths.

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Breaking alertly, See All Match went straight to the front, taking over from Studio City (Cotai Glory), who became his closest pursuer for the entire journey. Behind them, Catch Up Effect (Oasis Dream) and Winston’s Tipple (Churchill) occupied the stalking positions, with the order remaining largely unchanged throughout the early and middle stages. Turning for home, several runners attempted to mount challenges, but See All Match responded with an emphatic change of gear, stretching clear in the straight and never appearing in danger as he powered to a commanding win. Studio City, trained by Mohammed Al Ghazali for owner Faleh Suwayed Al Ajami and ridden by Damien Morin, kept on well to finish second, half a length ahead of Winston’s Tipple, trained by Abdulla Al-Mulla for Al Jasra Stud and ridden by Ivan Rossi, who claimed third.

Afandem and Munhamik share the spoils in thrilling dead-heat finish

Race 7 delivered a dramatic spectacle as Afandem (AF AlBahar x Maboud) and Munhamik (Mared Al Sahra x Al Maasa) produced a breath-taking duel to dead-heat for victory in the Local Purebred Arabian Handicap (60–80), a Class 4 contest for 3YO+ over 1200m that drew 11 runners.

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Afandem, the 8YO star owned by Nasser Hamad Al-Naimi and trained by Ahmed Kobeissi, was seeking his third win in a row while Munhamik, the 7YO bay gelding owned by Nasser Owaida Salem Al Hajri and trained by Owaida Salem Al Hajri, was building on a promising seasonal return last month. Under Mohammed Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik and Abdulla Rashid Al-Hajri respectively, the pair delivered a finish worthy of the occasion.

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Both eventual winners were settled towards the rear early as Ietibar (Al Mamun Monlau) dictated the tempo, with Deauville (AF AlBahar) and AJS Al Aredh (Majd Al Arab) tracking closely behind. Approaching the home turn, Afandem launched a sharp forward move to sweep past the long-time leader, just as Munhamik also surged from the pack with purpose. What followed was a gripping head-to-head battle down the entire home straight. Afandem, already a dual winner this season, looked to have secured the advantage, but Munhamik refused to yield, clawing back metre by metre. The pair drew level inside the final strides and flashed past the post inseparably; a dramatic dead heat that left the judge unable to split them. They finished 1¾ lengths ahead of Nah’aab Al Shahania (Burning Sand), trained by Rudy Nerbonne for H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani and ridden by Lukas Delozier, who stayed on well for second. Deauville, trained by Ibrahim Khaled Elahmed for Umm Al Shukhut Farm and ridden by Alberto Sanna, took third, three-quarters of a length behind.

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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.