Samha Alseej makes a striking debut
Mohimma caps Al Bidda Cup Day with decisive success
Mdmar – Doha – Mohamed Saad
The Al Bidda Cup Day was conducted at QREC Al Rayyan Racecourse on Thursday, 16 April. The nine-race card on turf was highlighted by the Al Bidda Cup, which was awarded by Saad Ali Al Kubaisi, Deputy Director of the QREC Registration & Studbook Dept., following the eighth and feature race on the card.
The day’s contests delivered a sequence of notable performances across the card. Maraaheb finally broke his maiden in the opener, Safwan Al Shahania struck on his second start to confirm his promise and Minsk timed his run well to get off the mark for the campaign. Morello Man produced a late surge to snatch victory, Navarzato stamped his authority with a dominant display and Jungle Monarch maintained his unbeaten record with a determined finish. Studio City clung on after making all, Samha Alseej made a striking debut to land the feature before Mohimma completed a double on the card with a resolute success in the finale.
Samha Alseej makes a striking debut
*“mdmar” website for horse racing and equestrian News
Samha Alseej (Sergei Prokofiev x Sunburnt) landed the Al Bidda Cup in the eighth and feature race on the card, a Local Thoroughbred Graduation Plate over 1400m (Class 4) for three-year-olds, featuring five runners, drawing clear by 1½ lengths. The bay filly, owned and trained by Jassim bin Hamad Al-Atteya, was partnered by Arnaud de Lepine, who completed a double, making a striking impression on debut with a sharp turn of foot to seal victory.
Samha Alseej was settled at the rear in the early stages as Afran (Noor Al Hawa) set the pace ahead of Halitan (Al Wukair), with Awayed Alseej (Time Test) and Ayyal Bjd (Heshem) following in behind. The order remained unchanged through the middle part of the race. At the top of the straight, the leading trio still held sway and looked set to decide the outcome. However, Samha Alseej produced a decisive late surge, quickening sharply inside the final 100m to sweep past her rivals and take control, turning the race on its head in a matter of strides before stretching clear to a convincing success. The long-time leader Afran, representing Al Wasmiyah Farm and from the Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki yard, with Marco Casamento aboard, kept on to take second, 2 lengths clear of the nearest rival behind her. The Umm Al Shukhut Farm-owned Halitan, trained by Ibrahim Khaled Elahmed and ridden by Alberto Sanna, held third without threatening the first two home.
Maraaheb finally gets his reward
*“mdmar” website for horse racing and equestrian News
Maraaheb (Sottsass x Silver Rain) landed the opening race, a Thoroughbred Maiden Plate over 2000m (Class 6) for four- to seven-year-olds, in an 11-runner contest, drawing clear by 1½ lengths. The four-year-old chestnut gelding, racing for Khamis Ali Khamis Al-Sulaiti, is trained by Hadi Al Ramzani and was partnered by Alberto Sanna. He was rewarded for a string of consistent efforts, having finished runner-up on several recent occasions, as he shed his maiden tag at the 20th attempt.
Breaking well from barrier 2, Maraaheb initially went forward before being settled in midfield through the early and middle stages. Eddeki (Pivotal) set the pace for much of the race, tracked by Zaaeem (Zoustar), with Sooraym (Lope De Vega) and Hill Street Blues (Blue Point) close up, the pair disputing minor positions as the order remained steady. Approaching the final bend, Maraaheb responded to pressure and began to make ground, producing a sustained run to take over inside the final 300m. He soon established control and kept on strongly to secure the verdict, holding his advantage to the line. Zaaeem, representing Saeed Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki and from the Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki yard, with Saleh Salem Al-Marri in the saddle, finished well from the outside to take second, ½ length clear of the Al Fakhama Racing-owned Eddeki, trained by Abdulla Dhabit Aldosari and ridden by Abdulla Rashid Al-Hajri, who faded late after setting the pace, but held on for third.
Safwan Al Shahania strikes with authority on second start
Safwan Al Shahania (Gazwan x Vega De Faust) landed the second race, a Purebred Arabian Premium Maiden Plate over 1600m (Class 6) for four-year-olds, drawing 12 runners, pulling clear by 2¼ lengths. The chestnut colt, representing Al Shahania Stud, is trained by Rudy Nerbonne and was ridden by Lukas Delozier, improving markedly from his debut third to open his account at the second attempt, marking himself down as one to follow.
*“mdmar” website for horse racing and equestrian News
Settled in fourth from barrier 3, Safwan Al Shahania tracked a solid early tempo set by Jabra’an Al Shahania (Gazwan), with HM Al Jadwal (Mister Ginoux) applying pressure and Mamunat Al Jasra (Al Mamun Monlau) close behind. Passing the 800m marker, HM Al Jadwal moved forward to take over, with Jabra’an Al Shahania sticking on closely as the race began to build. At the top of the straight, HM Al Jadwal regained the advantage and looked set to see it out approaching the 300m marker. However, the race quickly turned into a fierce contest, with Wahdan (Mister Ginoux), who had been well off the pace, arriving with a powerful late run while Safwan Al Shahania also quickened to join the leaders. The trio were almost in line, positions changing rapidly with every stride, creating a thrilling finish. Inside the final 100m, Safwan Al Shahania dug deep, finding extra to assert and then pull away late, with the margin stretching out in the closing strides despite the intensity of the battle beforehand. Jabra’an Al Shahania, in the colours of Hamad Khalid Al-Qahtani and from the Mohammed Al Ghazali yard, with Soufiane Saadi aboard, kept on well to take second, a quarter of a length ahead of the Hamad Al-Jehani-trained Wahdan, who finished strongly from the rear for Khalifa bin Mohamed bin Khalifa Abdullah Al Attiyah under Szczepan Mazur to take third.
Minsk times his run to perfection
*“mdmar” website for horse racing and equestrian News
Minsk (Danadana x Sputnik Sweetheart) landed the third race, a Local Thoroughbred Handicap (0–45) over 1200m (Class 6) for three-year-olds and upwards, with nine lining up for the contest, asserting by a length. The six-year-old bay gelding, racing for HE Meshaal bin Ali Al-Attiyah, is trained by Ibrahim Khaled Elahmed and was ridden by Arnaud de Lepine, stepping up on a recent runner-up effort over the same course and distance to record his first success of the campaign.
Minsk broke well from barrier 7 before being settled at the rear through the early stages, as S K Azam (Oasis Dream) set a strong tempo, followed by Ihtisham (Dream Ahead), Harba Alseej (Danadana) and Al Shalfa SK (Havana Gold), with the order largely unchanged as they approached the final bend. Around the home turn, Minsk began to make his move, advancing with a strong surge to close on the leaders. Passing the 300m marker, S K Azam, Al Shalfa SK and Minsk were almost abreast. The outcome was far from certain, as the trio battled for supremacy. Inside the final 150m, Minsk found extra, quickening again to edge clear and secure the verdict. Al Shalfa SK, representing Lekhreib Stud and from the Abdulla Dhabit Aldosari yard, with Salman Fahad Al-Hajri aboard, stayed on to take second, 3½ lengths clear of the Saeed Mohammed Shafi Al Shafi-owned and trained S K Azam, who kept on after setting the pace under Saleh Faraj Al-Otaibi to fill third.
Morello Man swoops late to deny rivals
Morello Man (Footstepsinthesand x Kirsch) landed the fourth race, a Thoroughbred Handicap (0–75) over 1200m (Class 5) for three-year-olds and upwards, restricted to Qatari and apprentice jockeys, featuring 13 runners, getting up by ¾ length. The four-year-old chestnut gelding, owned by Rashid Awajan Al-Khayarin, is trained by Hamad Al-Jehani and was partnered by Saleh Faraj Al-Otaibi, bouncing back to his earlier form to record a second success of the campaign.
*“mdmar” website for horse racing and equestrian News
Morello Man was held up at the rear after the break, tracking the field as Kamakameleon (Kameko) set the pace, with Sands Of Marra (Sands Of Mali) and Uffington (Equiano) in close attendance through the early and middle stages. The order remained steady as the race developed, with North Audley (Cable Bay) improving from midfield to move into contention on straightening. Approaching the final 200m, Kamakameleon appeared to have matters in hand and began to edge clear, looking set to make all. However, Morello Man was unleashed down the outside with a devastating burst, picking off rivals rapidly with a sustained surge. Inside the final 100m, he continued to close at speed, sweeping past the long-time leader in the closing strides to snatch victory in striking fashion. His late effort was both powerful and relentless. Kamakameleon, racing for Khamis Ali Khamis Al-Sulaiti and from the Hadi Al Ramzani yard, with Salman Fahad Al-Hajri aboard, was caught close home, but held second, 2¾ lengths clear of the Ahmed Kobeissi-trained Vedute, who kept on for Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik under Mohammed Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik to take third.
Make Love rallies to deny favourite
Make Love (GB) (Make Believe x Lovee Dovee) landed the fifth race, a Thoroughbred Handicap (60–80) over 2000m (Class 4) for four-year-olds and upwards, with 16 runners in the fray, holding on by ½ length. The four-year-old bay filly, owned by Sharida bin Nasser bin Sharida Al-Kaabi, is trained by Mohammed Al Ghazali and had Salem Alajmi in the saddle, bouncing back to winning form to double her tally and lower the colours of the favourite.
Make Love was settled in midfield through the early and middle stages as Usak (Al Kazeem) dictated matters, with Wonder Smile (Exceed And Excel) and Highland Spring (Dubawi) among those close up. Wonder Smile moved on to take the lead on entering the straight while the pack began to close in behind, setting up a wide-open finish. Approaching the final 300m, Make Love was angled into contention and responded strongly, quickening to take a narrow lead with Monapia (Harry Angel) and Highland Spring pressing hard. From there, the race developed into a fierce battle, with Make Love digging deep to maintain her advantage as Highland Spring launched a sustained challenge in the closing strides. She held her ground well to see it out and her determination proved decisive. Highland Spring, representing Mohammed Shaheen Al-Kuwari and from the Hamad Al-Jehani yard, with Pierre Charles Boudot aboard, closed strongly, but was denied by the winner, finishing just a short head clear of the Mohammed Balasim Al Jumaili-trained Noble Patron, who stayed on powerfully from off the pace for HE Meshaal bin Ali Al-Attiyah under Szczepan Mazur to take third in a tightly contested finish.
Studio City clings on after bold front-running display
*“mdmar” website for horse racing and equestrian News
Studio City (Cotai Glory x Aqlette) landed the sixth race, a Thoroughbred Handicap (75–95) over 2000m (Class 3) for four-year-olds and upwards, with 11 runners heading to the start, prevailing by a neck. The six-year-old chestnut horse, owned by Faleh Suwayed Al Ajami, is trained by Mohammed Al Ghazali and was guided by Pierre Charles Boudot. He returned to winning ways after three consecutive placed efforts, recording a third success from eight starts this season while providing his trainer with a quick-fire double.
Studio City broke sharply from barrier 9 to take up the running from Upton Park (Elm Park) and dictated the pace. Upton Park tracked closely, with Brise Noir (Almanzor) improving into second passing the first bend, the trio maintaining their positions through the middle stages. Approaching the second bend, Cei Connah (El Kabeir) moved forward from off the pace to challenge, briefly taking over before Studio City quickly regained control. In the home straight, Studio City pressed on and began to quicken, with Cei Connah and Upton Park closing in inside the final 300m. While attention centred on that trio, Forceful Speed (New Bay) arrived late with a powerful surge from the rear, joining the leaders in the closing strides and threatening to snatch victory. Studio City, however, showed resilience under pressure, holding on gamely to prevail right on the line. Forceful Speed, racing for Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik and from the Debbie Mountain yard, with Alberto Sanna aboard, finished strongly to take second. The Nasser Saif Al-Kubaisi-owned Jayyash, stayed on from off the pace under Salem Alajmi to claim third, 1½ lengths behind the runner-up, completing another placing for the Mohammed Al Ghazali-trained runners.
Monaafasah bursts clear to decisive success
*“mdmar” website for horse racing and equestrian News
Monaafasah (Nieshan x Marj Eyoun) landed the seventh race, a Purebred Arabian Handicap (70–90) over 1400m for fillies and mares aged four and above, featuring seven runners, drawing clear by 3 lengths. The four-year-old grey filly, carrying the colours of Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari, is trained by Ahmed Al Jehani and had Pierre Charles Boudot aboard, who completed a quick-fire double. She stepped up on recent placed efforts to record a second career success from eight starts in impressive fashion.
Monaafasah raced prominently in third through the early and middle stages, tracking the long-time leader Kawaii D’Vialettes (AF AlBahar), with Al Jori (Al Mamun Monlau) also close up while RM Wadha (Mared Al Sahra) was just behind. The field remained tightly grouped, with little to separate the seven runners as the race developed. Inside the final 300m, the order remained largely unchanged and the leaders appeared set to fight it out. However, the race turned dramatically approaching the final 200m as Monaafasah produced a sharp burst of speed, sweeping past the leading trio and quickly establishing a decisive advantage. She lengthened clear in a matter of strides, putting the race beyond doubt and leaving her rivals to battle it out for the placings. RM Wadha, representing Mohammed Rashid Abdullah Al Naimi and from the Hadi Al Ramzani yard, with Marco Casamento in the saddle, finished well from just off the pace to take second, a neck ahead of Asedah, also racing for the colours of Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari, trained by Hamad Al-Jehani and ridden by Lukas Delozier, who also stayed on strongly, just a further neck clear of the Mubarak Ali Al-Nuaimi-owned Kawaii D’Vialettes, trained by Ahmed Al Jehani and ridden by Arnaud de Lepine, who faded late.
Mohimma makes all to complete double
Mohimma (Al Mourtajez x Nyriad) landed the ninth race, a Purebred Arabian Handicap (80–100) over 2000m (Class 2) for five-year-olds and upwards, with seven declared runners, holding on by ½ length. The five-year-old bay gelding, racing for Al Shaqab Racing, is trained by Jean de Mieulle and was partnered by Alberto Sanna, who completed a double by winning both the opening and concluding races on the card. The gelding followed up to record a third success from six starts this season.
Mohimma set the tempo from the outset and dictated throughout, with Nasser Al Shahania (Jaafer ASF) tracking closely in second ahead of Khalil Du Croate (No Risk Al Maury) and RB Hot Mess (Rathowan). The order remained largely unchanged through the early and middle stages. Inside the final 300m, Nasser Al Shahania moved forward to take over, but the advantage was short-lived as Mohimma responded immediately, regaining the lead with a strong reply. He kept on gamely under pressure in the closing stages, fending off a sustained challenge to secure the verdict. Nasser Al Shahania, representing Al Shahania Stud and from the Rudy Nerbonne yard, with Lukas Delozier aboard, stayed on well. but had to settle for second, a quarter of a length clear of the Gassim Al Ghazali-trained El Ghazi, who finished strongly from the rear for HE Mansoor bin Ebrahim Al-Mahmoud under Marco Casamento to take third.
*“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.
