Medan lifts Lekhraib Cup with gritty late drive
Mdmar – Alkhour -Mohamed Saad
Lekharaib Cup Day unfolded with a seven-race card on the turf at Al Uqda Racecourse on Saturday, 29 November, producing a series of competitive and well-contested performances.
The programme delivered notable victories from Crest Of Esteem, Serengeti Sunset, Achika, Glory Of The Stars, Tamborrada, Razy, and Medan, the latter sealing the feature event in determined style. Following the concluding race, Saad Ali Al Kubaisi, Deputy Director of QREC Registration & Studbook Department, crowned the winners to bring the meeting to a fitting close.
Medan digs deep to capture Lekhraib Cup
*“mdmar” website for horse racing and equestrian News
Medan (Assy x Djergali) produced a gritty and well-timed performance to land Race 7, the day’s feature: the Lekhraib Cup, a Purebred Arabian Handicap (85–105) for 4YO+ over 2200m (Class 2), contested by nine runners. The 7YO grey mare, carrying the silks of Hassan bin Ali Hassan Al Matwi, prepared by Mohammed Hassan Al Matwi, who completed a double on the day and ridden with confidence by Szczepan Mazur, made a successful seasonal debut, defying top weight to prevail by ¾ of a length.
Breaking cleanly from barrier 7, Medan settled just behind the early pace as Farhan (Al Mourtajez) moved forward to lead shortly after the start. Jenkille Hipolyte (Al Mamun Monlau) and Salwa (Kalino) tracked the leader, with Medan positioned comfortably in behind while the order remained largely unchanged through the middle stages. Approaching the home turn, Salwa quickened to momentarily take command, but Jenkille Hipolyte swept past with a strong move and, for a few strides, appeared set to claim the Cup. Medan, however, had more to offer. Once angled out by Mazur, she found a decisive extra gear inside the final furlong, closing relentlessly to overhaul the leader and assert close home. Jenkille Hipolyte, racing for and trained by Osama Omer Al-Dafea under Faleh Bughenaim, held on for second while Raed (Amer), representing Wathnan Racing and handled by Alban de Mieulle under Soufiane Saadi, surged late from off the pace to take third, finishing 2¼ lengths behind the runner-up.
Crest Of Esteem strikes late to open the card
Crest Of Esteem (No Nay Never x All To Do With It), on seasonal debut, made a bright breakthrough in the day’s opener, the Thoroughbred Maiden Plate for 3–7YOs over 1400m (Class 6), contested by 13 runners. The 3YO chestnut gelding, racing for Ali Hamad Al-Atteya, prepared by Jassim Hamad Al-Atteya and partnered by Alberto Sanna, produced a well-timed finish to prevail by 1½ lengths and open his account on 6th career start.
*“mdmar” website for horse racing and equestrian News
Held behind midfield through the early and middle stages, Crest Of Esteem travelled comfortably as The Hrse Horse (Invincible Spirit) set a strong early gallop, with Gannas (Harry Angel) and Tawash (Kodiac) in close attendance. Approaching the home turn, Crest Of Esteem began to make smooth headway, steadily reeling in the leading group. Turning into the straight, The Hrse Horse still held sway, but the chasing pack, most notably Crest Of Esteem and Waajidd (Dark Angel, closed in with gathering momentum. In the final 100m, Crest Of Esteem swept down the outside, finishing powerfully to assert and draw clear for a decisive success. Behind him, the contest for the minor prizes proved tight. Waajidd, representing Khalid bin Ghanem Al-Kuwari under the care of Zuhair Mohsen and partnered by Gavin Matt Ryan, claimed second, just a neck ahead of the long-time leader, The Hrse Horse, running in the colours of Sheikh Abdul Rahman Rashid Al-Thani and handled by Mohammed Al Ghazali with Fayos Martin Borja aboard. A further head back came Rathmoy (Blue Point), racing for and trained by Ibrahim Saeed Ibrahim Al Malki and guided home by Tomas Lukasek to complete a tightly-packed first four.
Serengeti Sunset surges late to reclaim winning form
Serengeti Sunset (Roaring Lion x Really Lovely) made a rewarding seasonal return, overcoming the widest draw to capture the Thoroughbred Handicap (0–75) for 3YO+ over 2200m (Class 5), restricted to Qatari and apprentice jockeys. The 5YO bay gelding, carrying the colours of Khalifa Saif Al-Kubaisi and prepared by Hamad Al-Jehan, was produced with a well-judged ride by Saleh Faraj Al-Otaibi to score by two lengths in the 11-runner race.
*“mdmar” website for horse racing and equestrian News
Eased back after the start, Serengeti Sunset was settled towards the rear as Liable (Frankel) dictated the early fractions, with Loaded Gun (Magna Grecia), He’s A Dream (Oasis Dream) and Tuscan (Churchill) in close pursuit. The tempo remained steady until the approach to the home turn, where Court Poet (Dubawi) swept forward from behind to momentarily take command. Once in the home straight, Loaded Gun regained the initiative and briefly looked set to fight off all challengers. However, Serengeti Sunset, who had been creeping into contention throughout, shifted gears inside the final furlong. Responding willingly to Al-Otaibi’s driving, he powered past the leader in the concluding stages and drew away for a comfortable victory. Loaded Gun, representing Khalid Nasser Al-Attiya and handled by Gassim Al Ghazali under Maxim Bozzio, stayed on for second. Tuscan, racing for M Racing Syndicate and trained by Abdulla Al-Mulla, held on for third under Meteb Ali Al-Marri, finishing two lengths behind the runner-up and only a neck ahead of Owners Dream (Time Test), who completed the first four for Abdurrahman Hilmi under Bader Al Balushi’s care with Hamad Meshlesh Al-Khayarin in the saddle.
Achika edges a thrilling finish to land the spoils
Achika (Migwar x Walaa) produced a determined late effort to capture Race 3, the Local Thoroughbred Handicap (0–55) for 3YO+ over 1400m (Class 5), which drew a field of 13. The 6YO bay mare—carrying the colours of Mohammed Abdulla Al-Jumaily, prepared by Yousef Al-Jumaily and guided by Jefferson Smith—improved on her seasonal debut to prevail by just a short head.
*“mdmar” website for horse racing and equestrian News
Breaking cleanly from barrier 4, Achika settled just behind the pace in fourth, tracking the early trio of S K Azam (Oasis Dream), Bint Al Hareth (Al Hareth) and Minsk (Danadana). The order remained steady for much of the contest, with the leading group still intact as they straightened for home. Inside the final 200m, Bint Al Hareth moved to the front, with Achika poised right behind her and Ghafan (Zelzal) unleashing a strong late burst from off the speed. The closing stages developed into a three-way tussle, and Achika quickened again to engage Ghafan in a fierce stride-for-stride battle. The pair flashed past the line almost as one, but the photo confirmed Achika the winner by a short head. Ghafa, racing for and conditioned by Ibrahim Khaled Elahmed under Alberto Sann, claimed second while Bint Al Hareth, representing H.E. Meshaal bin Ali Al-Attiyah and trained by Mohammed Al Ghazali with Soufiane Saadi aboard, held on for third, a further 1½ lengths back.
Glory Of The Stars prevails in a dramatic nose finish
Glory Of The Stars (Olympic Glory x Miss Starlight) produced a stirring late charge to capture Race 4, the Thoroughbred Handicap (65–85) for 3YO+ fillies and mares over 1400m (Class 4), contested by 11 runners. The 5YO bay mare, racing for Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik, presented in excellent order by Debbie Mountain and delivered with precision by Jefferson Smith, made a successful seasonal reappearance, sealing victory by the barest of margins and completing a quick-fire double for her jockey.
Jumping from a wide gate in barrier 10, Glory Of The Stars was eased back early and settled at the tail of the field. Up front, Full Gambit (Churchill) dictated the pace through the early stages, with Al Wakrah (Al Wukair) and Seduisante (Shalaa) keeping close watch as the race unfolded steadily. The complexion changed sharply upon straightening. The backmarkers, including Glory Of The Stars, launched strong runs down the outside, rapidly closing on the long-time leader. Inside the final furlong, Glory Of The Stars and September Leaves (Night Of Thunder) surged to the front, engaging in a gripping duel all the way to the line.
The finish was even tighter than the previous race, with the photo again required to determine the winner. It confirmed Glory Of The Stars had prevailed by a nose. September Leave, representing Al Eida Racing and handled by Gassim Al Ghazali under Soufiane Saad, took second while Bint Mohaather (Mohaather), flying home from the rear for Al Jeryan Stud under the guidance of M.H.K Al Attiyah and Szczepan Mazur, finished just a quarter of a length behind to secure third.
Tamborrada finishes strongest to land a competitive staying contest
*“mdmar” website for horse racing and equestrian News
Tamborrada (Dubawi x Elle Shade) made his third run of the season count with a determined success in Race 5, the Thoroughbred Handicap (65–85) for 3YO+ over 2200m (Class 4), run with a full field of 14. The 7YO bay gelding, carrying the colours of Fahad Salem Al-Hajri, prepared by Mohammed Hassan Al Matwi and partnered by Salman Fahad Al-Hajri, showed stamina and grit to secure victory by half a length.
Breaking cleanly from barrier 6, Tamborrada travelled prominently, taking up third and later relegated to fifth as the field settled into rhythm. See All Match (Acclamation) assumed control shortly after the start and dictated the pace throughout the middle stages, with the order remaining fairly steady until the long run for home. Tamborrada began to edge closer approaching the home straight, improving smoothly into second before launching a serious challenge inside the final 200m. A strong acceleration carried him upsides the long-time leader, and with 50m remaining he strode past to take command. See All Match, representing and conditioned by Abdulaziz Ali Al-Kathiri under Abdulla Rashid Al-Hajri, was forced to battle again to preserve the runner-up spot, which he did narrowly. Behind them, Pagliacci (Gleneagles), running in the Al Majd Stud silks for trainer Yousef Al Jumaily and ridden by Fayos Martin Borja, finished powerfully to claim third, a neck away from second. A further short head back came Winston’s Tipple (Churchill), representing Al Jasra Stud and handled by Abdulla Al-Mulla with Ivan Rossi in the saddle, and he was only another neck ahead of the tightly packed fifth and sixth in what proved a fierce scramble for the minor placings.
Razy makes all in authoritative seasonal return
*“mdmar” website for horse racing and equestrian News
Razy (Amer x Raedah) delivered a commanding front-running display to dominate Race 6, the penultimate contest on the card: the Local Purebred Arabian Handicap (75–95) for 4YO+ over 2200m (Class 3), featuring a compact field of four. The 6YO grey geldin, carrying the Wathnan Racing colours, presented in peak order by Alban de Mieulle and confidently handled by Soufiane Saadi, shouldered the top weight of 60kg yet still made a successful seasonal debut, adding a fourth career win with a determined 1¼-length victory.
Breaking alertly from barrier 3, Razy was sent straight to the lead and immediately controlled the tempo. He adopted a steady rhythm throughout, with his three opponents shadowing him closely in a fixed order: AJS Haizum (AF AlBahar) tracking in second, followed by Talg’at Al Shahania (Mared Al Sahra) and Burkan Zakhir (La Hoor) in behind. Approaching the home turn, the trio began to close in as the pace lifted noticeably. All three attempted to apply pressure in the straight, but Razy, finding generously under Saadi, refused to yield. He kept responding as the challengers loomed, maintaining his advantage to the line for a pillar-to-post success. Burkan Zakhi, racing for Hassan bin Ali Hassan Al Matwi and prepared by Mohammed Hassan Al Matwi under Saleh Faraj Al-Otaib, stayed on to claim second while Talg’at Al Shahania, carrying the silks of H.E. Sheikha Reem bint Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Thani for Rudy Nerbonne and ridden by Lukas Delozier, finished third, another 1¼-length behind.
*“mdmar” website for horse racing and equestrian News
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.
