Mutamarrid claims Ras Rokn Island Cup
Mdmar – Doha – MohamedSaad
The Ras Rokn Island Cup race meeting held on Wednesday, 4 February, at Al Uqda Racecourse on the dirt brought together a competitive nine-race programme that blended progressive maidens, closely contested handicaps and a strong finish in the feature event. The card was shaped by a mix of patience, tactical positioning and decisive finishing efforts, with several races producing tight margins and compelling late exchanges.
Across the nine races, the winners in order were Tariqu Al Shahania getting off the mark in the opener, Gasham delivering a decisive breakthrough in the second, Midrass rolling back the years to regain winning form, Habes returning to winning ways in the fourth, Necessitate holding on gamely after a bold front-running display, Gulf Legend back on top in the staying handicap, Sha’alan edging a closely fought sprint, Sham Alghania making a successful debut against experienced rivals and Mutamarrid asserting his class to land the Ras Rokn Island Cup in the concluding and feature race on the card.
Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi, QREC Racing Manager, presented the trophies to the winners of the Ras Rokn Island Cup following the final race of the meeting.
Mutamarrid back in winner’s enclosure
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Mutamarrid (Youmzain x Rose Rose) produced a decisive late performance to land the Ras Rokn Island Cup, the ninth race on the card, a Local Thoroughbred Handicap (45–70) for 4yos and up over 2000m, Class 3, contested by seven runners. The nine-year-old grey, owned by Injaaz Stud and trained by Jihad El Ahmad, built on solid placed efforts in his two most recent starts to record the ninth victory of his career, scoring by a commanding two and three-quarter lengths under Pierre Charles Boudot.
Settled close to the pace early, Mutamarrid began the race in second behind Al Gamamah (Trade Storm) before gradually being eased back to midfield, still well within striking distance. Through the middle stages, Royalty (Migwar) took over in front and briefly established a margin, with Suheal Qatar (Dubday), Moharb and Al Gamamah disputing the minor positions as the order shuffled behind the leader. Approaching the home turn, Suheal Qatar moved up to press for the lead, but Moharb soon assumed control entering the straight. That proved short-lived. Once angled out, Mutamarrid was asked to lengthen and responded immediately, covering ground with ease to loom alongside within a few strides before asserting decisively inside the final 200m and drawing clear. Moharb, racing for Al Wasmiyah Farm and trained by Gassim Al Ghazali, kept on resolutely under Marco Casamento to secure second, finishing well clear of the rest. Al Gamamah, representing the same connections as his trainer-owner Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki, stayed on steadily under Tomas Lukasek to take third, six lengths adrift of the runner-up, as Mutamarrid capped the meeting with a polished and authoritative success.
Tariqu Al Shahania gets off the mark
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Tariqu Al Shahania (Gazwan x Taraf) opened the nine-race card by shedding his maiden tag in the first race, a Local Purebred Arabian Premium Maiden Plate for 4–7yos over 2000m, Class 6, contested by seven runners. The five-year-old bay gelding, owned by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani and trained by Rudy Nerbonne, improved on his previous runner-up effort to score at the fourth attempt, prevailing by half a length under Lukas Delozier.
Breaking smoothly from barrier 1, Tariqu Al Shahania settled neatly in second as Al Masdar (No Risk Al Maury) pressed on to establish a clear lead, stretching the field by more than three lengths through the early and middle stages. While the leader enjoyed a decisive advantage, the remainder of the runners were tightly grouped behind, with Tariqu Al Shahania holding a handy rail position less than a length clear of the chasing pack, headed by Sarooqu Al Shahania (Assy). Approaching the home turn, the early pressure began to tell on Al Masdar, whose advantage started to diminish. Seizing the moment, Tariqu Al Shahania was angled out from the rail and quickly moved up to challenge, drawing alongside and then edging past the long-time leader. At the same time, Windsor (AF AlBahar) accelerated into second to apply fresh pressure as the field straightened. Inside the final 200m, the contest developed into a sustained duel, with Tariqu Al Shahania and Windsor racing stride for stride. Showing resolve, the former found extra in the closing strides to hold his rival at bay and secure victory. Windsor, representing Umm Al Shukhut Farm and trained by Ibrahim Khaled Elahmed, stayed on strongly under Pierre Charles Boudot to take second, a further half a length ahead of Kasser Al Shahania. The latter, a stablemate of the winner and carrying the same colours, finished with a late flourish from the rear under Soufiane Saadi to claim third, closing rapidly on the runner-up as the line approached.
Gasham delivers decisive breakthrough
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Gasham (Zelzal x Gharabeel) made his first visit to the winner’s enclosure with a convincing success in the second race, a Local Thoroughbred Premium Maiden Plate for 4–7yos over 2000m, Class 6, contested by six runners. The five-year-old bay gelding, owned and trained by Ibrahim Khaled Elahmed, got one better than on his previous start to break his maiden at the fifth attempt, maintaining his consistent profile of never finishing outside the first four. He was ridden by Saleh Salem Al-Marri and scored by a clear 2½ lengths.
Settled in third through the early stages, Gasham was ridden patiently as Ayash (Danadana) set a strong gallop in front, opening up a margin of around three lengths passing the 1100m. Al Shamal Road (Churchill) tracked the leader initially while Rumooz (Danadana) headed the remainder, with Gasham travelling comfortably just off the pace and well placed to strike. Approaching the home turn, the pressure began to tell on the long-time leader. Gasham was asked to improve and responded smoothly, closing rapidly before moving to the front as the field straightened. Ayash attempted to rally and reapply pressure, but the winner was travelling with greater purpose and had more in reserve. Inside the final 200m, Gasham asserted fully, sustaining his run to pull clear and put the outcome beyond doubt. Al Wasmiyah Farm’s Ayash, trained by Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki and ridden by Tomas Lukasek, held on for second, finishing 2½ lengths ahead of Rumooz. The latter, representing Alghazali Motors Racing and prepared by Mohammed Al Ghazali, stayed on under Lukas Delozier to take third, comfortably clear of the remainder.
Midrass rolls back the years
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Midrass (Amer x Melusinne) returned to winning form with a determined performance in the third race, a Purebred Arabian Handicap (45–65) for 4yos and up over 1200m, Class 6, contested by 13 runners. The ten-year-old bay gelding, racing for Ghazwan Racing and trained by Hadi Al Ramzani, bounced back to good form since his runner-up finish last December to record his first victory since February 2023, scoring by a length under Faleh Bughenaim.
Held up at the rear through the early and middle stages, Midrass was patiently ridden as Roqayya (Alam Al Khalediah) set a strong early pace before easing back into the field. Fateh HCM (Nizam) improved from second to take control approaching the home turn, tracked by Thahan (AF AlBahar) and Arenteiro (Mahabb) while Midrass had already begun to make steady headway, closing into fifth and edging closer to the leading group. On straightening, the race took on a different shape as several runners launched their challenges from midfield, most notably Lattam Al Shajah (Al Mourtajez), who quickly emerged as a major threat. Inside the final 300m, the field compressed sharply, and by the 200m mark, the contest had narrowed to a three-way battle between Midrass, Lattam Al Shajah and Fateh HCM.
Finding more when it mattered, Midrass asserted decisively in the closing stages, pulling clear to secure a well-earned success. Hassan bin Ali Hassan Al Matwi’s Lattam Al Shajah, trained by Mohammed Hassan Al Matwi and ridden by Szczepan Mazur, finished second, edging Fateh HCM by a neck. The latter, owned and trained by Osama Omer Al-Dafea and guided by Pierre Charles Boudot, stayed on gamely to take third after a fiercely contested finish for the minor honours.
Habes returns to winning ways
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Habes (Harran ASF x Gidwa) rediscovered his best form with a gritty success in the fourth race, a Local Purebred Arabian Handicap (55–75) for 4yos and up over 1200m, Class 5, contested by six runners. The nine-year-old chestnut gelding, owned by Abdulaziz Saleh Al Jaber, put three below-par efforts behind him to record his first win of the season and his first since November 2024, edging home by half a length under Marco Casamento and completing a double on the day for his trainer Hadi Al Ramzani
Breaking from the outside barrier, Habes was settled at the rear in the early stages as Al Ehdaashari (AF AlBahar) went forward to lead ahead of Husam Al Shahania (Munjiz), with Taimoor (Nizam) briefly improving into second. Through the middle stages, Habes began to creep closer with purpose and approaching the home turn he made a decisive move, sweeping to the front as Husam Al Shahania and Al Ehdaashari gave chase. On straightening, the tempo lifted sharply and the field quickly compressed. Inside the final 200m, all six runners briefly looked capable of winning, but the contest soon narrowed to a three-way battle. Husam Al Shahania pressed to the front for a moment, only for Habes to respond immediately and reclaim the advantage. Showing resilience in the closing strides, Habes held on gamely to secure the verdict. Husam Al Shahania, racing for Hassan bin Ali Hassan Al Matwi and trained by Mohammed Hassan Al Matwi, finished second under Pierre Charles Boudot, just a nose ahead of Al Ehdaashari. The latter, owned by Mohammed Fahad Al-Sahli, trained by Al Matwi as well and ridden by Salman Fahad Al-Hajri, took third, with SK Doctor (Al Mourtajez), representing Al Ezz Stud and trained by Saeed Al Shafi, a neck away in fourth under Soufiane Saadi, underlining how tightly bunched the finish was behind the winner.
Necessitate makes all to score over staying trip
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Necessitate (Zoffany x Noelani) produced a bold front-running display to land the fifth race, a Thoroughbred Handicap (55–75) for 4yos and up over 2200m, Class 5, contested by a full field of 14 runners. The five-year-old bay gelding, racing for Rumailah Stud and trained by Rashid Al Jehani, recorded his first win of the season at the fourth attempt, having finished runner-up on his seasonal debut. Ridden by Saleh Salem Al-Marri, who completed a double on the day, he held on gamely to prevail by three-quarters of a length.
Breaking sharply from a wide draw, Necessitate went straight to the front and quickly established a clear advantage, stretching the field with every stride and dictating the tempo throughout. He opened up a sizeable margin in the early and middle stages, effectively racing in isolation as the remainder were left to organise behind him. Rathmoy (Blue Point) emerged as the principal chaser for much of the journey while Mysteryofthesands (Footstepsinthesand) was held up at the rear, conserving energy for a late run. Approaching the home turn, the long-time leader began to feel the effects of his sustained effort as Rathmoy and Mysteryofthesands both closed with intent. Entering the straight, the gap was reduced rapidly, with Mysteryofthesands producing the strongest late challenge of the two and moving into serious contention inside the final 200m. Despite the mounting pressure, Necessitate showed determination and resilience, finding enough to repel his challengers and reach the line in front. Mysteryofthesands, owned by Nasser Saif Al-Kubaisi and trained by Mohammed Al Ghazali, finished second under Lukas Delozier, four lengths clear of Rathmoy. The latter, owned and trained by Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki and ridden by Tomas Lukasek, stayed on for third, and clear of the field behind, after a prominent run behind a winner who proved difficult to reel in once allowed his own way in front.
Gulf Legend back on top
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Gulf Legend (Dubawi x Knyazhna) returned to winning ways with an authoritative performance in the sixth race, a Thoroughbred Handicap (65–85) for 4yos and up over 2000m, Class 4, contested by a full field of 14 runners. The five-year-old bay gelding, owned by Sheikh Abdul Rahman Rashid A M Al-Thani and trained by Gassim Al Ghazali, scored for the first time from four starts this season, adding to a campaign that had ended with a win in 2024/25. He was guided by Salman Fahad Al-Hajri and drew clear by two lengths, completing a one-two for the stable.
Held midfield in the early stages, Gulf Legend was ridden patiently as Blessed Boy (Seabhac) showed the way, tracked by Coco Jack (Wings Of Eagles). Passing the first bend, Wise Men Say (Bungleinthejungle) surged from the rear to briefly take control before Blessed Boy quickly reclaimed the lead and steadied the tempo through the middle part of the race. Approaching the home turn, the complexion shifted as Loaded Gun (Magna Grecia), who had been ridden quietly at the back and made gradual progress throughout, swept forward to strike the front on straightening. Gulf Legend followed him through with a strong and sustained run, ranging up with purpose before asserting decisively. Once in front, Gulf Legend extended with authority and maintained a clear advantage to the line. Loaded Gun, racing for Khalid Nasser Al-Attiya, stayed on under Marco Casamento to take second while Hyperchromatic (Holy Roman Emperor), owned by Mr Nasser Saif Al-Kubaisi and trained by Mohammed Al Ghazali, finished strongly from off the pace under Lukas Delozier to secure third, a further one and three-quarter lengths back.
Sha’alan returns to winning ways
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Sha’alan (Amer x Mizabelle) registered his first success of the season with a determined victory in the seventh race, a Purebred Arabian Handicap (65–85) for 4yos and up over 1200m, Class 4, contested by eight runners. The eight-year-old grey gelding, owned by Al Ghazali Stud and trained by Mohammed Al Ghazali, scored at the third attempt this campaign, edging home by a quarter of a length with Lukas Delozier aboard.
Lwich De Bozouls (No Risk Al Maury) set the tempo from the outset and remained in front through the early and middle stages, with Sha’alan travelling close up in second and third positions, always within striking distance. The order remained largely unchanged until the home turn, where Sha’alan was asked to press and moved up to challenge the long-time leader. On straightening, Sha’alan struck the front and looked set to assert, but fresh pressure soon arrived from Marzoog (AF AlBahar), who produced a strong late run from off the pace to loom as a serious threat. Inside the final 200m, the pair engaged in a sustained duel, with Sha’alan responding gamely under pressure to maintain a narrow advantage to the line. Marzoog, racing for Mohammed Abdulhadi Al-Hajri and trained by Hamad Al-Jehani, finished a close second under Jefferson Smith, a length clear of Saqr. The latter, owned by Hamad Nasser Al-Naimi and trained by Ahmed Kobeissi, closed late from the rear under Ivan Rossi to take third.
Sham Alghania impresses on debut
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Sham Alghania (Luigi x Taroub Al Shaqab) delivered a polished performance to make a winning debut in the eighth race, a Purebred Arabian Show Horses and Mares contest for 4yos and up over 1100m, contested by 11 runners. The four-year-old bay colt, owned by Ali Nasser Al-Nuaimi and trained by Bader Al Balushi, proved too strong for his more experienced opponents, drawing clear by three lengths under Youssef Lachhab.
Breaking alertly from barrier 2, Sham Alghania settled neatly in second behind Sahm Al Bawadi (Sharaf Al Shahania) and the pair quickly pulled clear of the remainder. Nashmyah Alrekaben (Serheed Al Zobara), the only filly in the field, raced several lengths behind the leading duo, but was well clear of the rest, with the front trio establishing a decisive advantage through the early and middle stages. The order at the head of affairs remained unchanged until the home straight, where Lachhab asked Sham Alghania to quicken. He responded immediately, stretching out strongly and asserting with authority to move past the leader and open up a clear margin. Sahm Al Bawadi, racing for Mansour Saeed Alhajri and trained by Rashid Mohammed Alathba, was unable to go with the winner’s acceleration, but finished a clear and comfortable second under Saleh Salem Al-Marri. Nashmyah Alrekaben, representing Al Rakaben Stud and trained by Dr Fahad Salman Al-Hajri, stayed on under Salman Fahad Al-Hajri to take third, a further four and a half lengths behind the runner-up, as Sham Alghania.
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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.
