September Leaves lands Al Ghariyah Cup in season opener
Mdmar – Qatar – Mohamed Saad
Photos by Juhaim
The Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club (QREC) opened its 2026/27 racing season with an eight-race card on the dirt track at Al Rayyan Racecourse on Wednesday, 14 October. The meeting was highlighted by the Al Ghariyah Cup, the season’s first trophy race, which saw September Leaves produce a determined late surge to land the feature contest. QREC Racing Manager Mr Abdulla bin Rashid Al-Kubaisi presented the Cup following the race.
The opening day produced a series of impressive performances, dramatic finishes and notable achievements. Lady De Faust picked up where she left off last season with a convincing victory while Classical Style made a spectacular winning debut, snatching success by a nose on the line.
Bin Narain finally opened his account in emphatic fashion, storming clear by seven lengths, before Lord Deputy unleashed a powerful late burst to record an impressive victory. Guindol Dei Ribo showed tremendous determination to regain the lead in the closing stages and complete a treble for trainer Hamad Al-Jehani. Jalila Alghania marked her seasonal return with a commanding victory while Toromona gave Al-Jehani his fourth winner of the day with a runaway success. September Leaves then rounded off the meeting in style, coming from behind to claim the Al Ghariyah Cup and complete a double for both trainer Gassim Al Ghazali and jockey Alberto Sanna.
September Leaves strikes late to seal fifth career victory
September Leaves (Night Of Thunder x Antique Platinum) produced a determined late charge to capture the Al Ghariyah Cup in the eighth and feature race, the Class 2 Thoroughbred Fillies & Mares contest over 1200m. The five-year-old bay mare, owned by Al Eida Racing, recorded her fifth career victory by 1½ lengths, completing a double on the day for both trainer Gassim Al Ghazali and jockey Alberto Sanna. The victory also gave Al Ghazali a one-two in the nine-runner contest.
“Mdmar” website for horse racing and equestrian News
September Leaves broke well but was restrained towards the rear as the early lead changed hands several times. Awaafi (Far Above) eventually took command before Forteleza (Zoustar) moved ahead, with the pair setting the pace until the home straight. Forteleza was still in front entering the straight, but Kimnkate (Havana Gold), who had travelled in midfield, soon swept past. Keel Bay (Starspangledbanner), having raced last until approaching the home turn, also finished strongly to challenge for the lead. Meanwhile, September Leaves had been making steady progress from the rear, moving into third around the home turn and into the straight. With Keel Bay and Kimnkate seemingly set to fight out the finish, she continued to gather momentum. Still looking unlikely to prevail approaching the final 200m, she produced a relentless surge to hit the front inside the final 100m and secure a thoroughly deserved victory.
Keel Bay took second under Marco Casamento for owner Jassim bin Ali Al-Attiyah, completing the one-two for Gassim Al Ghazali. Kimnkate, carrying the colours of Al Hajaj Farm, finished just a head behind in third after a closely fought battle for the minor honours. She is trained by Hamad Al-Jehani and was ridden by Arnaud De Lepine.
Toromona storms to runaway victory as Al-Jehani completes four-timer
Toromona (Shamardal x Tashelka) produced a devastating turn of foot to run out an emphatic winner of the seventh race, the Class 3 Thoroughbred Handicap (75–95) over 1700m. The eight-year-old gelding, carrying the colours of Rashid Awajan Al-Khayarin, demolished his 12 rivals with a commanding 7½-length victory. Ridden by Lukas Delozier, he gave trainer Hamad Al-Jehani his fourth winner on the opening day of the new season.
“Mdmar” website for horse racing and equestrian News
Toromona briefly showed in front after the start before being restrained into fourth. Upton Park (Elm Park) then took command and dictated the pace for much of the contest, with Local Law (Dubawi) and Corinth (Dubawi) leading the pursuit. As the field entered the home straight, Delozier asked Toromona to improve and the gelding responded immediately. He swept into second before quickly taking over at the head of the field. Loose Cannon (Territories), who had spent much of the race towards the rear, launched a strong challenge and moved into second. Any prospect of a sustained battle soon disappeared. Toromona accelerated again inside the final 300m, rapidly putting daylight between himself and his pursuer. By the final 200m, he was racing in splendid isolation, powering further clear to seal an overwhelming success.
Loose Cannon, owned by Sheikh Mohammed Salman Al-Thani, secured second under Marco Casamento for trainer Gassim Al Ghazali. Studio City (Cotai Glory) also made late progress from the rear, but never threatened the runner-up, finishing another 3½ lengths behind in third. Soufiane Saadi partnered the Mohammed Al Ghazali-trained gelding for owner Faleh Suwayed Al Ajami.
Jalila Alghania stamps her authority on seasonal debut
Jalila Alghania (Al Mamun Monlau x Moghedha Al Jazeera) made an impressive start to her new campaign, recording her fourth career victory in the sixth race, the Class 3 Purebred Arabian Handicap (70–90) over 1200m. The five-year-old mare, owned by Sheikh Talal Nasser Al-Thani, produced a decisive turn of foot under Youssef Lachhab to score by 4½ lengths against eight rivals. She is trained by Hadi Al Ramzani.
“Mdmar” website for horse racing and equestrian News
Jalila Alghania took the early lead ahead of Rammah (Majd Al Arab), but the running order soon changed. Sha’alan (Amer) moved into second before Lwich De Bozouls (No Risk Al Maury) swept past to take command around the first turn. Sha’alan then regained the lead approaching the home bend, with Jalila Alghania settling into third. Once in the straight, Lachhab asked Jalila Alghania to quicken and she responded by sweeping past Sha’alan. Al Kazim (Al Mamun Monlau), who had raced towards the rear, also made rapid progress to challenge and the pair soon pulled clear of the field. A close finish appeared likely, but Jalila Alghania had other ideas. She unleashed another burst of acceleration inside the final 200m, opening up an increasingly decisive advantage. By the final 100m, the contest was effectively over and she powered home for an emphatic success.
Al Kazim, carrying the colours of Sheikh Ahmad bin Mohamed bin Faleh Al-Thani, held on to second under Marco Casamento for trainer Gassim Al Ghazali. Ilasad (AF AlBahar), who had dropped behind midfield after racing prominently early, finished strongly to take third, another four lengths back. Mohammed Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik partnered the Ahmed Kobeissi-trained gelding for owner Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik.
Guindol Dei Ribo fights back to complete Al-Jehani treble
Guindol Dei Ribo (Dahess x Ianita De Carrere) showed remarkable determination to land the fifth race, the Class 5 Purebred Arabian Novice over 1700m. The four-year-old gelding, owned by Al Hajaj Farm, recorded his second career victory by a length, having opened his account on his penultimate start last season following three placed finishes. His success completed a treble for Hamad Al-Jehani, who has carried his excellent form from his European summer campaign into the new domestic season. Promising apprentice Nicolas Baudet was aboard, completing a double of his own.
“Mdmar” website for horse racing and equestrian News
Guindol Dei Ribo went straight to the front and dictated the pace, initially pursued by AJS Burkaan (AF AlBahar), then Inaya Grine (No Risk Al Maury) before Al Bayyin Grine (Al Mourtajez) moved into second around the first turn. The leader began to stretch his advantage after the second turn, but his early exertions appeared to take their toll as Night De Mireval (Dahess) launched a powerful challenge in the home straight. The pair drew well clear of their rivals, with Night De Mireval gradually closing the gap before edging ahead inside the final 200m. Guindol Dei Ribo looked beaten, but he refused to surrender. Summoning another effort inside the final 100m, he regained the lead and pulled clear to seal a hard-fought victory.
Night De Mireval finished second for owner Al Meqdam Racing, trainer Maayouf bin Hashim Al-Shamari and jockey Salman Fahad Al-Hajri. Al Bayyin Grine, owned by Faraj Saleh M Al-Otaibi, took third a further six lengths behind under Lukas Delozier, giving winning trainer Hamad Al-Jehani another podium finish.
Lord Deputy storms clear for impressive victory
Lord Deputy (Dubawi x Divine Blessing) produced a devastating late burst to claim an emphatic victory in the fourth race, the Class 5 Thoroughbred Handicap (50–70) over 1700m. The four-year-old gelding, who had finished runner-up five times in his previous nine career starts, recorded his second success by an impressive 6½ lengths. Carrying the colours of Al Ghazali Stud, he is trained by Gassim Al Ghazali and was partnered by Marco Casamento in the 14-runner contest.
“Mdmar” website for horse racing and equestrian News
The early stages saw frequent changes at the front, with Funny Bunny (Trade Storm), Corpus Juris (Masar) and Necessitate (Zoffany) all taking turns to lead. Washeek (Saxon Warrior) then assumed command ahead of Flame Fair (Toronado), The Hrse Horse (Invincible Spirit) and Usak (Al Kazeem). After the second turn, Due To Dance (Due Diligence) advanced from just behind the leaders to take over, with Usak in pursuit and Funny Bunny moving back into contention as the field approached the home straight. Funny Bunny regained the lead in the straight, but Lord Deputy was rapidly closing from the rear with a powerful run. The pair engaged in a fierce battle until the final 200m, when Lord Deputy found another gear and surged ahead. His acceleration proved irresistible and he continued to extend his advantage inside the final 100m, drawing clear for a commanding victory.
Funny Bunny held second for owner-trainer Ibrahim Saeed Ibrahim Al Malki and jockey Saleh Salem Al-Marri. Thunder Valley (Night Of Thunder), who ran at the rear for the majority of the race, finished very fast, just a neck behind in third. Owned by Maryam Abdulrahman Al-Jaber, he is trained by Hadi Al Ramzani and was ridden by Maikon De Souza.
Bin Narain powers clear for emphatic maiden victory
Bin Narain (Vedevani x Helter Helter) opened his account in emphatic fashion in the third race, the Class 6 Local Thoroughbred Maiden over 1700m. Making his seasonal debut and 10th career appearance, the four-year-old gelding stormed to a seven-length victory under Alberto Sanna. Owned by Injaaz Stud and trained by Jihad El Ahmad, he finally broke his maiden in commanding style against six rivals.
“Mdmar” website for horse racing and equestrian News
Bin Narain broke alertly and initially took the lead before Sanna restrained him to settle behind Mutabahi (Footstepsinthesand). Seeking further cover, he briefly dropped to third after the first turn, but soon regained second as Lghuwair Katara (Noor Al Hawa) moved forward to take command. Approaching the home turn, Lghuwair Katara, Bin Narain and Qahir (Footstepsinthesand) were almost abreast at the head of a tightly grouped field. Ghara Alseej (Footstepsinthesand) then swept forward from the rear with a powerful move around the bend, challenging Bin Narain for the lead. What followed was a thrilling duel, with the pair exchanging the lead four times through the early and middle stages of the home straight. Bin Narain eventually asserted his superiority, finding another gear to surge clear. He continued to draw away with every stride, turning a fiercely contested battle into a resounding seven-length success.
Ghara Alseej held on to second for Lekhreib Stud, trainer Abdulla Dhabit Aldosari and jockey Salman Fahad Al-Hajri. Qahir finished another two lengths behind in third, carrying the colours of Al Jeryan Stud. He is trained by M.H.K Al Attiyah and was ridden by Szczepan Mazur.
Classical Style makes dramatic winning debut
Classical Style (Dubawi x Renaissance Queen) made a remarkable winning debut in the second race, snatching victory on the line in a thrilling finish to the Class 6 Thoroughbred Maiden over 1700m. The three-year-old gelding, owned and trained by Hamad Ahmed Hassan Al Malki Al Jehani, produced a powerful late surge under Nicolas Baudet to prevail by a nose in a photo finish against Deira Storm (Blue Point), with a full field of 14 runners taking part. The victory also completed an early double for the trainer, who saddled the first two winners of the new season.
“Mdmar” website for horse racing and equestrian News
Eddeki (Pivotal) was quickest away, but Ensyaaby (Footstepsinthesand) soon took over ahead of Raykir (Siyouni) and Gannas (Harry Angel). Raykir pressed forward to lead around the first turn before Gannas assumed command shortly after the 1200m marker. Deira Storm subsequently moved into contention and swept to the front in the home straight. Meanwhile, Classical Style had spent much of the race towards the rear and still had considerable ground to make up approaching the final bend. Once in the straight, however, the debutant unleashed an impressive turn of foot. Racing wide, he gathered momentum with every stride, rapidly closing on the leaders. His relentless late charge brought him alongside Deira Storm in the final strides and he got his nose in front precisely on the line. The judge needed a photograph to separate the pair, confirming a memorable first-time success for Classical Style.
Deira Storm, carrying the colours of Yousuf Bakhit Al-Kuwari, had to settle for a narrow second under Alberto Sanna for trainer Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki. Dark Sovereign (Dark Angel) finished a further ¾ length back in third. Owned by Mubarak Mohammed Al-Shafi, he was saddled by Gassim Al Ghazali and partnered by Marco Casamento.
Lady De Faust makes winning start to new campaign
Lady De Faust (AF Al Buraq x Bonne Foulee) picked up where she left off last season, making a winning start to the new campaign in the opening race. The five-year-old mare, owned by Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari, landed the Class 6 Purebred Arabian Maiden for Fillies and Mares over 1200m by 1¾ lengths, recording her second career victory. Trained by Hamad Al-Jehani, she was ridden by Arnaud De Lepine.
With seven runners going to post, HM Al Jadwal (Mister Ginoux) was quickest into stride and took the early lead, closely followed by Umm Wishah (Mister Ginoux). Lady De Faust soon moved forward to take command, however, with Umm Wishah settling into second and RF Wjoud (Mister Ginoux) tracking the leaders in third. The order remained largely unchanged until the field turned for home when Lady De Faust began to quicken. She kicked clear approaching the final 300m while HM Al Jadwal renewed her effort to move into second. The leader responded with another burst of acceleration, opening up a decisive advantage. Umm Wishah rallied strongly inside the final 200m, regaining second and finishing with purpose, but Lady De Faust had already established a commanding lead and maintained her advantage to the line.
Umm Wishah, owned by Abdulrahamn Fahad Al-Attiyah, trained by Ahmed Al Jehani and ridden by Nicolas Baudet, took the runner-up spot. The pair finished well clear of the rest, with RF Wjoud (Mister Ginoux) a further nine lengths back in third. She represented owner Khaled Helal Mohammed Alkhatri, trainer Hadi Al Ramzani and jockey Maikon De Souza.
“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.
