Naseeb Zakhir storms home in Zekreet Cup
Mdmar – Doha – Mohamed Saad
Photo Juhaim
The Zekreet Cup Day, staged on the dirt at Al Rayyan Racecourse on Wednesday 17 December, featured eight races and delivered a memorable evening highlighted by some emphatic and record-breaking winning margins. Aljalta, Taimoor, Bint Al Hareth, Kafalat, Flame Fair, Nibras Al Marroona and Naseeb Zakhir all left a strong mark on the card with authoritative performances that lit up the programme from start to finish.
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The winners of the final and feature race were crowned by Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi, QREC Racing Manager, as the meeting unfolded in thrilling fashion.
Naseeb Zakhir dominates Zekreet Cup with authority
Naseeb Zakhir (AF Al Bahar x Zajeel) confirmed his upward trajectory with a commanding performance to land the day’s feature, the Zekreet Cup, a Local Purebred Arabian Handicap (75–95) for 4YO+ over 1200m, drawing right away to score by four and a half lengths. The 4-year-old grey colt, owned and trained by Osama Omer Al-Dafea and ridden by Faleh Bughenaim, recorded his second win from four starts this campaign, adding to two recent runner-up finishes and underlining the promise of a powerful season ahead.
Breaking sharply from barrier six in the seven-runner field, Naseeb Zakhir was prominent from the outset, briefly leading before settling just off the pace to track the subsequent leader Azzam FBR (AF AlBahar). Always travelling with purpose, he was flanked through the middle stages by Al Wasmi (AF AlBahar) and Khaled Al Shahania (Assy), the trio keeping the pressure on as they raced down the straight. Once asked for an effort, Naseeb Zakhir produced a decisive response. Straightening for home, he unleashed a thundering turn of foot under Bughenaim, quickly asserting superiority and kicking clear with authority to put the outcome beyond doubt well before the line. Al Wasmi, representing Al Wasmiyah Farm, trained by Mohammed Al Ghazali and ridden by Marco Casamento, stayed on resolutely to claim second while Khaled Al Shahania, racing for Al Meqdam Racing, trained by Maayouf bin Hashim Al-Shamari and partnered by Salman Fahad Al-Hajri, finished a further one and a half lengths back in third.
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Aljalta delivers record-breaking exhibition of speed
Aljalta (Toronado x Al Madina) delivered a breath-taking performance to open his account in Race 1, a Thoroughbred Handicap (0–60) for 3YO+ over 1900m, Class 6, contested by 14 runners. The 3-year-old bay colt, owned by Khalid Rashid Al-Mohannadi, trained by Rashid Al Jehani and ridden by Alberto Sanna, dismantled the field with a staggering 20-length victory.
Settled neatly in third after the break, Aljalta tracked the early pace set by Villain’s Voice (Poet’s Voice), who was closely attended by Allegorical (Study Of Man) as the pair edged a couple of lengths clear of the rest. Aljalta travelled comfortably in behind, biding his time through the middle stages as he began to close on the leaders. Approaching the home turn, Sanna asked his mount to quicken and the response was immediate and devastating. Turning for home, Aljalta raced against his own shadow, unleashing a devastating turn of foot that carried him clear with every stride. He swept past the leaders with ease and quickly put the race beyond doubt, drawing further clear with every stride to leave his rivals battling only for the minor placings. Little Lips (Raven’s Pass), racing for Mohammed bin Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al-Attiyah, trained by Gassim Al Ghazali and partnered by Marco Casamento, finished best of the rest to take second. Time Traveller (Harry Angel), representing The Pearl Racing, trained by Mohammed Al Ghazali and ridden by Soufiane Saadi, stayed on strongly from midfield to claim third, a length behind the runner-up.
Taimoor edges thriller to break maiden
Taimoor (Nizam x Muhjah) got off the mark in dramatic fashion in Race 2, a Local Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate for 3–7YOs over 1200m, Class 6, with 12 runners lining up. In complete contrast to the wide-margin opener, this race was decided in the final stride. The 5-year-old grey gelding, racing for Abdulaziz Saleh Al-Otaibi, trained by Mohammed Hassan Al Matwi and ridden by Saleh Faraj Al-Otaibi, prevailed by a short head in a stirring finish.
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Breaking sharply from the widest draw, Taimoor was soon positioned in third and travelled comfortably throughout. Wahaas (AF AlBahar) showed early speed to take up the running, before AJS Al Galayel (La Hoor) moved forward to lead during the middle stages. Approaching the home straight, Wahaas regained the lead and looked poised to go on with the task. Inside the final furlong, however, Taimoor produced a strong acceleration to join Wahaas and the pair became locked in a fierce, head-to-head battle well clear of the rest of the field. Right on the line, Taimoor found just enough to thrust his head in front and secure a hard-fought victory. Wahaas, owned by Abdullah bin Ali bin Khalifa Al Attiya, trained by Ahmed Kobeissi and partnered by Faleh Bughenaim, was a gallant runner-up. A further 7 lengths back came Fathi (Tabarak), representing Mohammed Abdulla Al-Dolaimi, trained by Fahad Rashid Al Khayarin and ridden by Saleh Salem Al-Marri, who finished strongly from midfield to take third.
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Bint Al Hareth strikes late to regain winning thread
Bint Al Hareth (Al Hareth x Sputnik Sweetheart) returned to winning form with a well-timed finish to land Race 3, a Local Thoroughbred Handicap (0–45) for 3YO+ over 1200m (Class 6), run with 10 runners. The 4YO bay filly, racing for H.E. Meshaal bin Ali bin Mohammed Al-Attiyah, trained by Mohammed Ghazali and partnered by Soufiane Saadi, prevailed by ¾ of a length.
Bint Al Hareth broke sharply from barrier 9 to take up the running, with S K Azam (Oasis Dream) tracking her closely from the outset ahead of Minsk (Danadana). The tempo lifted in the middle stages when S K Azam moved through to assume control and turned for home in front, looking the likely winner. Inside the final 300m, Saadi asked Bint Al Hareth to quicken and the response was decisive. She closed rapidly on the leader, hit the front inside the final 100m and held on resolutely to score. Nahar (Charm Spirit), owned by Al Hajaj Farm, trained by Hamad Al-Jehani and ridden by Arnaud De Lepine, finished strongly from the rear to snatch second, a further 1¼ lengths ahead of S K Azam, who stayed on for third for owner-trainer Saeed Mohammed Shafi Al Shafi under Salman Fahad Al-Hajri.
Kafalat seals late with powerful finish in stirring contest
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Kafalat (Kalino x Al Anqa) produced a rousing late surge to regain the winning thread in Race 4, the Urebred Arabian Novice Plate for 4YO+ over 1900m, Class 5, a competitive affair featuring 12 runners. The 4-year-old grey colt, owned by Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik, trained by Ahmed Kobeissi and ridden by Mohammed Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik, continued his gradual improvement this season when scoring at his third start of the campaign, edging clear by half a length.
From barrier six, Kafalat settled well early and tracked the pace in third before being eased back to midfield and then shuffled further rearward as the race unfolded. The lead changed hands repeatedly, with AJS Sinjaar (AF AlBahar) showing the way initially before Yaqoob (Al Mourtajez) pressed on to assume control and dictate matters for the longest portion of the race. Around the second bend, AJS Kabul (Seraphin Du Paon) briefly took over, only to be joined and then headed by Safeer Al Shahania (Munjiz), who improved from just off the speed to lead the field. As the runners swung into the home straight, the complexion of the race shifted once more. Yaqoob rallied strongly to regain the lead, with Awamir (No Risk Al Maury), who had been stalking the leading group throughout, launching a determined challenge and looming large on the outside. Still with ground to make up, Kafalat was angled widest of all and unleashed a powerful finishing burst, surging down the outside to sweep past the leaders in the closing stages and assert late dominance at the line. Yaqoob, racing in the colours of Mr Hamad Meret Al-Hajri, trained by Hamad Al-Jehani and partnered by Arnaud De Lepine, battled on bravely to secure second while Awamir, representing Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari, trained by Zuhair Mohsen and ridden by Pierre-Charles Boudot, stayed on strongly to take third, three-quarters of a length behind the runner-up.
Prince D’ossau storms home late to land fifth in thrilling finish
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Prince D’ossau (Al Tair x Diva Des Eaux) produced a devastating late charge to claim Race 5, the Purebred Arabian Handicap (50–70) for 3YO+ over 1200m, Class 5, sealing victory by two decisive lengths in a tightly contested race featuring 13 runners. The 5-year-old roan gelding, owned and trained by Ibrahim Saeed Ibrahim Al Malki and ridden by Tomas Lukasek, needed only one run in between to double his career tally.
The eventual first three home were all restrained at the rear of the field in the early stages as AJS Al Aredh (Majd Al Arab) showed early initiative before handing over to Solmax (Mahabb), who carried the lead for much of the run. Approaching the home turn, Roqayya (Alam Al Khalediah) briefly swept to the front, but that move was short-lived as Solmax rallied once more to regain the lead. As the race entered its concluding stages, the tempo lifted sharply and almost the entire field began to close in, compressing the pack dramatically towards the finish. Held up wide and still with plenty to do, Prince D’ossau was unleashed down the outside and responded in emphatic fashion, thundering past his rivals with a powerful turn of foot to kick clear and put the race beyond doubt in the final strides. Midrass (Amer), representing Ghazwan Racing, trained by Hadi Al Ramzani and partnered by Arnaud De Lepine, finished strongly from the back to snatch second while Al Khebrah (No Risk Al Maury), racing for Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari, trained by Zuhair Mohsen and ridden by Szczepan Mazur, was just a nose away in third as the pair locked in a fierce battle for the minor honours right to the line.
Flame Fair unleashes late burst to seal success
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Flame Fair (Toronado x Miss Starlight) delivered a stirring finish to land the Thoroughbred Graduation Plate for 3YOs over 1700m, Class 4, edging clear by three-quarters of a length from the eight runners and completing a double on the evening for both his owner and his jockey. The bay gelding, owned by Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik, trained by Debbie Mountain and ridden by Mohammed Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik, recorded his second win from five starts this season with a performance full of resolve and acceleration.
Slowly away, Flame Fair was restrained to the rear of the field in the early stages as Assertively (Acclamation) set the initial tempo. Sweet Fantastic (Lope De Vega) soon took over and controlled the race for much of the journey, with Gannas (Harry Angel) slotting in between him and Assertively, who improved into second approaching the penultimate turn. The order remained largely unchanged on straightening, but Flame Fair was beginning to gather momentum from the back. Still with plenty to do, he ate into the deficit stride by stride and, unleashing an electrifying turn of foot, swept past his rivals in the closing stages to hit the front and assert late authority after a gripping duel with Sweet Fantastic. Sweet Fantastic, racing in the colours of Hamad Abdulhadi Al-Hajri, trained by Hamad Al-Jehani and partnered by Pierre-Charles Boudot, fought on bravely to claim second while Assertively, representing Abdulrahman Fahad Al-Attiyah, trained by Ahmed Al Jehani and ridden by Alberto Sanna, stayed on to take third, one and three-quarter lengths behind the runner-up.
Nibras Al Marroona in a league of his own in runaway display
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Nibras Al Marroona (Hilal Al Waab x Okelana AF) delivered a truly jaw-dropping exhibition of speed and dominance to remain unbeaten in Race 7, the Purebred Arabian Show Horses contest for 3YO+ over 1000m, obliterating the field by an extraordinary 22 lengths from the 12 runners. The 4-year-old chestnut colt, unbeaten with two wins from as many career starts, owned by Hassan bin Ali Hassan Al Matwi, trained by Mohammed Hassan Al Matwi and partnered once again by his regular rider Salman Fahad Al-Hajri, confirmed his status as the hot favourite in the most emphatic fashion imaginable, setting a new benchmark for winning margins on the day.
Rassan Al Shaqab (Marwan Al Shaqab) broke sharply from barrier ten to take up the early running, but it took little time for Nibras Al Marroona to stamp his authority on the race. Sweeping forward with effortless ease, he surged to the lead and from that point onward turned the contest into a one-horse exhibition, travelling powerfully and stretching relentlessly with every stride. Once in front, Nibras Al Marroona simply ran his rivals into submission. Racing clear of the field and effectively against the clock, he continued to lengthen his advantage, quickening again in the latter stages to leave his opponents scattered across the track. By the time he crossed the line, the margin had reached an astonishing 22 lengths, surpassing the earlier 20-length rout on the card and underlining the sheer scale of his superiority. Qays Aljassimya (Qutuz Aljassimya), representing Al Qadsiah Stud, trained by Abdulrahman Abdulwahed and ridden by Chloe Mignonneau, finished strongest of the chasing group to secure second, eight lengths ahead of Rassan Al Shaqab, who held on for third for owner Nasser Jabor Al-Naimi, trainer Hadi Al Ramzani and jockey Megane Peslier, as the rest were left trailing in the wake of a performance for the ages.
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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.
