Sussex stamps his authority on The Late Yousef Al Romaihi Cup
Mdmar – Doha – Mohamed Saad
Photo – Juhaim
Al Rayyan staged the 64th race meeting of the season on Thursday, 9 April, with a bumper ten-race card on turf, headlined by The Late Yousef Al Romaihi Cup, which was presented by Ali, Fahad and Mubarak Yousef Al Romaihi in the presence of Saad Ali Al Kubaisi, Deputy Director of the QREC Registration & Studbook Department.
Louvay De Mireval set the tone by opening his account at the third attempt, Bin Narain produced a career-best display to shed his maiden tag and Ayash surged clear in emphatic fashion to get off the mark. Edgartown edged a gripping finish, Court Poet rolled back the years with a resolute success and Mejlad unleashed a powerful late charge to register his first win in Qatar. Dabida made it back-to-back victories with authority, Best Way extended his perfect record with a polished performance and Mohimma struck decisively to return to winning ways, before Sussex turned the feature into a procession to claim The Late Yousef Al Romaihi Cup.
Sussex turns it into a procession
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Sussex (Dubawi x Kissed) landed The Late Yousef Al Romaihi Cup, the 3200m Thoroughbred Open Handicap (Class 2) for four-year-olds and upwards, a field of 7, producing a commanding pillar-to-post success by 10 lengths. The seven-year-old bay gelding, carrying the colours of Al Jeryan Stud, under the care of M.H.K Al Attiyah and with Jefferson Smith in the saddle, made it back-to-back wins this campaign, turning the feature into a one-horse show.
Always well clear of his rivals, Sussex travelled comfortably at the head of affairs and steadily increased his advantage throughout. While rivals and spectators alike may have expected him to weaken over the extended trip, the opposite unfolded, as he continued to find more with every stride, his strength and dominance becoming increasingly evident. In the home straight, he powered further clear without coming under any real pressure, sealing an emphatic and authoritative success. Foehn (Johnny Barnes), representing Hamad Ramzan Al-Naimi and handled by Hadi Al Ramzani, with Alberto Sanna aboard, finished best of the rest to take second, 2 1/5 lengths ahead of the Gassim Al Ghazali-trained Gulf Legend (Dubawi), who kept on for Sheikh Abdul Rahman Rashid Al-Thani under Salem Alajmi to take third.
Louvay De Mireval gets off the mark at 3rd attempt
Louvay De Mireval (AF AlBahar x Harmonie Du Soleil) won the first contest of the meeting, Division 1 of the Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate over 1600m (Class 6) for four- to seven-year-olds, featuring a field of 11. The five-year-old lightly raced grey horse, racing in the colours of Al Ghazali Stud, prepared by Mohammed Al Ghazali and guided by Marco Casamento, opened his account at the third attempt, having finished runner-up on his first two starts, scoring by two lengths.
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Breaking well, Louvay De Mireval initially took the lead before being eased back into third passing the first bend, as Safwan Al Shahania (Gazwan) and Herve Renard (Assy) exchanged the lead through the middle stages. Approaching the home turn, Louvay De Mireval moved forward into second and began to close on Safwan Al Shahania, who still held the advantage on entering the straight. Inside the final 150m, Louvay De Mireval produced another surge, quickening past the leader to take control and pull clear for a decisive success. Lady De Faust (AF Al Buraq), who had raced in midfield early before improving to track the leading group, finished strongly to take second for Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari, from the Hamad Al-Jehani yard and with Pierre Charles Boudot doing the steering, two lengths ahead of Safwan Al Shahania, who kept on for Al Shahania Stud and trainer Rudy Nerbonne and with Lukas Delozier aboard to take third.
Bin Narain breaks through with career-best effort
Bin Narain (Al Mourtajez x Fahouara) won Race 2, Division 2 of the Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate over 1600m (Class 6) for four- to seven-year-olds, featuring a field of 12. The four-year-old bay colt, in the colours of Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari, trained by Ahmed Al Jehani and partnered by Arnaud de Lepine, raced prominently throughout to open his account on his tenth career start, producing the best performance of his career to date and scoring by one and a quarter lengths.
Dhabiat Albarizat (Raibal) set the early pace ahead of Bin Narain and Tafser (Nieshan), with the field settling into position through the opening stages. Passing the 1000m marker, Midhal (Mister Ginoux) improved into third behind Bin Narain while MN Senmar (Jouri Al Nuaimi) also began to move forward. The pace lifted through the middle stages, with MN Senmar accelerating to take the lead and briefly exchanging it with Bin Narain while Midhal also joined in and momentarily led after the 800m marker as the contest became more competitive. Approaching and around the home turn, Bin Narain responded strongly, increasing his tempo to regain the lead and assert. In the straight, he maintained his advantage and kept finding enough to hold his rivals at bay to the line. Tafser, representing Al Shaqab Racing and prepared by Jean de Mieulle, finished second with Faleh Bughenaim doing the steering, two and a quarter lengths ahead of Texas Pride CS, who finished strongly from off the pace for Sharida bin Nasser bin Sharida Al-Kaabi, from the Yousef Al Jumaily yard and with Alberto Sanna aboard to take third.
Ayash finally gets his reward in emphatic style
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Ayash (Danadana x Granary) won Race 3, a Local Thoroughbred Maiden Plate over 2000m (Class 6) for four- to seven-year-olds, featuring a field of nine. The four-year-old bay gelding, carrying the colours of Al Wasmiyah Farm, trained by Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki and guided by Marco Casamento, overcame the widest draw to open his account on his eighth career start, having repeatedly knocked on the door with placed efforts in five of his previous seven runs, scoring by impressive five and a quarter lengths and providing his rider with a double on the card.
Bin Narain (Vedevani) set the tempo from the outset and dictated the pace up to the final bend, chased throughout by Bon Nuit (Ponfeigh), Shaqrah (Heshem) and Ayash, who remained well positioned just behind the leaders. Approaching the home turn, Ayash began to close in, moving strongly into third behind Bin Narain and Bon Nuit, who took over the lead around the bend as the race looked set for a tight finish. However, on entering the straight, Ayash produced a decisive turn of foot, quickly taking control and asserting with authority. He pulled clear in striking fashion, extending his advantage with every stride to settle the contest well before the line. Ghazah (Ruler of the World), who had been at the rear in the early stages, made good late headway to take second for Mrs Sabhea Awad Ibrahim, prepared by Ibrahim Khaled Elahmed and with Alberto Sanna aboard, three and a quarter lengths ahead of Shaqrah, who kept on for Ali Hamad Al-Atteya and trainer Jassim Hamad Al-Atteya, with Arnaud de Lepine aboard, to take third, further underlining that the winner was in a league of his own in the closing stages.
Edgartown prevails in dramatic finish
Edgartown (Quality Road x Love Child) landed the Thoroughbred Novice Plate over 1600m (Class 5) for three-year-olds and upwards, a competitive contest of 16 runners, getting up by a short head. The five-year-old dark bay gelding, carrying the colours of Wathnan Racing, trained by Alban de Mieulle and partnered by Faleh Bughenaim, had been placed on all six starts this season and was rewarded with a hard-earned success, doubling his career tally.
Kaytwo (Kodiac) set a strong early tempo, quickly taking the lead from White Christmas (Showcasing) and stretching clear to open up an advantage of some six or seven lengths through the middle stages. White Christmas tracked in second, followed by Seduisante (Shalaa), Edgartown (Quality Road) and Jorge Alvares (Cotai Glory), with the order largely unchanged as the leader attempted to dominate from the front. Turning for home, the gap began to diminish as the chasing pack closed in on the long-time leader. Kaytwo still held the advantage passing the 300m marker and briefly looked set to see it out, but the early exertions began to take their toll. Edgartown, travelling comfortably, moved forward to challenge and struck the front in the home straight, though he was immediately pressed by strong-finishing rivals. Mia Man (Almanzor), having come from the rear through midfield, delivered a powerful late run to join issue in the closing strides, while Jorge Alvares also stayed on well just behind them. In a gripping finish, Edgartown found extra under pressure to get his head down right on the line. Mia Man, representing Sharq Stud and prepared by Mohd Ahmed Mohd Hasan Al-Sulaiti, with Jefferson Smith in the saddle, was beaten only a short head, finishing a quarter of a length clear of Jorge Alvares, who ran on strongly for Sheikh Mohammed Salman Al-Thani, from the Gassim Al Ghazali yard and with Marco Casamento aboard to take third.
Court Poet rolls back the years with determined success
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Court Poet (Dubawi x Belenkaya) landed the Thoroughbred Handicap (0–80) over 1600m (Class 4) for three-year-olds and upwards, restricted to Qatari and apprentice jockeys, a field of 15, scoring by 1½ lengths. The veteran 10-year-old bay gelding, racing in the colours of Abdulrahman Batal Al-Otibi, trained by Nayef Batal Al-Otibi and partnered by Salman Fahad Al-Hajri, returned to winning ways after finishing placed on his two most recent starts.
Thanks Forever (Kessaar) set the pace from the outset, leading the field through the early stages ahead of De Bruyne (Dutch Art) and Mobilise (Footstepsinthesand) while Court Poet broke well from barrier 2 and settled just behind the leading group. Passing the first bend, he improved into third, tracking the leaders closely as the order remained largely unchanged through the middle stages. Rounding the home turn, Court Poet began to close in further and moved smoothly into contention, striking the front as the field entered the home straight. In the straight, he travelled comfortably and, although challengers attempted to bridge the gap, he found extra under pressure to maintain his advantage and see it out in resolute fashion. Opera Legend (Night Of Thunder), representing owner-trainer Ahmed Hassan Al Malki Al Jehani and ridden by Saleh Faraj Al-Otaibi, finished strongly from off the pace to take second, 1¼ lengths clear of Torvar (Footstepsinthesand), who also stayed on well from the rear for Mohammed Nawaf Al-Rayes, trained by Mohammed Al Ghazali and with Jamal Laarim aboard to take third.
Mejlad surges late to decisive victory
Mejlad (Muniz x Rawah) landed the Purebred Arabian Handicap (60–80) over 1600m (Class 4) for four-year-olds and upwards, a field of 16, scoring by 2½ lengths. The seven-year-old bay gelding, representing owner-trainer Mohammed Ahmed Al-Hajri and partnered by Salman Fahad Al-Hajri, recorded his first success in Qatar and a third career win overall, having previously struck twice in France in 2023, while providing his rider with a quick-fire double.
As the start was effected, Mejlad was settled towards the rear where he remained through the early and middle stages. Tayyar Al Shahania (Jaafer ASF) set the tempo, dictating the pace ahead of Al Wasmi (AF AlBahar) and Husam Al Shahania (Munjiz), with the order largely unchanged as the race developed. Approaching the final bend, Husam Al Shahania moved forward to take the lead and soon established a clear advantage inside the final 250m, appearing set for victory. However, Mejlad, travelling comfortably from off the pace, began to close rapidly, joined by Djedahess (Dahess), both producing strong late runs to challenge. In the home straight, Mejlad found extra in impressive fashion, sweeping past his rivals to take control and quickly assert, drawing clear to seal the result with authority, leaving his two rivals to battle it out for the minor honours. Husam Al Shahania, representing Hassan bin Ali Hassan Al Matwi and prepared by Mohammed Hassan Al Matwi, with Soufiane Saadi aboard, held on for second by the smallest of margins, just a nose ahead of Djedahess, who stayed on strongly to finish third for Dhafi Rashid Al-Marri. He is trained by Mohammed Hussain Afroz and was ridden by Arnaud de Lepine.
Dabida makes it back-to-back in commanding fashion
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Dabida (Divamer x Adiba) landed the Purebred Arabian Graduation Plate for fillies and mares over 1600m (Class 4), a field of 8, drawing clear by 3 lengths. The four-year-old grey filly, carrying the colours of Wathnan Racing, trained by Alban de Mieulle and ridden by Soufiane Saadi, secured a second consecutive success and continued her remarkable consistency, having finished in the first three in seven of her eight starts to date while providing her trainer with a second winner on the day.
HM Farajallah (Al Mourtajez) set the early tempo, leading Geina (Mister Ginoux) and Inaya Grine (No Risk Al Maury), while Dabida travelled comfortably in midfield, biding her time through the early and middle stages. The order among the leading trio remained unchanged until the penultimate bend where Inaya Grine moved forward to take over, with HM Farajallah beginning to tire and losing ground. On the turn into the straight, Dabida made a strong move to join Geina and Inaya Grine, who both looked poised to fight out the finish approaching the final 250m. Dabida, however, responded generously, producing a sharp turn of foot inside the final 100m to sweep past her rivals and, within a matter of strides, extend her advantage decisively. Geina, representing Dukhan Racing and prepared by Hamad Al-Jehani, with Alberto Sanna in the saddle, stayed on well to take second, finishing 5 1/5 lengths clear of Inaya Grine, who kept on at one pace for Salmeen bin Abdulla Al-Jabri, trained by Ahmed Al Jehani and ridden by Arnaud de Lepine to take third.
Best Way maintains perfect record in style
Best Way (Migwar x Rahibah) landed the Local Thoroughbred Handicap (55–75) over 2000m (Class 3), a field of 7, drawing clear by 2½ lengths. The four-year-old bay colt, carrying the colours of Wathnan Racing, saddled by Alban de Mieulle and guided by Soufiane Saadi, maintained his unbeaten record with a perfect three-from-three strike rate, continuing to progress with each outing and firmly establishing himself as a colt of considerable promise while providing both trainer and jockey with a quick-fire double and a third winner on the day for the yard.
Toyota (Toronado) set the tempo from the outset, tracked by Al Gamamah (Trade Storm), with Best Way settled in third through the early and middle stages, travelling comfortably just behind the leading pair. After the second bend, Moharb (Sea’s Legacy) improved from the rear into second while Tafaahum (Rio de La Plata) also made progress into third though Toyota continued to dictate the pace at the head of affairs. Swinging into the home straight, Toyota still held a narrow advantage and looked poised to see it out as the field entered the home straight. However, inside the final 300m, Best Way produced a sharp turn of foot, closing rapidly on the leader before quickening clear in the final 100m to assert decisively and secure a clear-cut success. Toyota, representing Al Ezz Stud and trained by Saeed Al Shafi, with Pierre Charles Boudot in the saddle, stayed on to take second, a quarter of a length ahead of Tafaahum, who finished strongly for Injaaz Stud. Under the care of Jihad El Ahmad, he had Salman Fahad Al-Hajri in the saddle.
Mohimma finishes strongly to regain winning thread
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Mohimma (Al Mourtajez x Nyriad) landed the penultimate contest of the evening in Race 9, the Purebred Arabian Handicap (70–90) over 2000m (Class 3), a field of 10, asserting by 1¼ lengths. The five-year-old bay gelding, racing in the colours of Al Shaqab Racing, trained by Jean de Mieulle and with Faleh Bughenaim in the saddle, bounced back to winning ways after a recent runner-up effort, recording his second success in four starts this campaign and providing his rider with a double on the card.
M’tawa El Saa’yeb (Jaafer ASF) set the tempo through the early and middle stages, leading Lattam (No Risk Al Maury) and El Ghazi (Gazwan) while Mohimma travelled comfortably in midfield, tracking the leading group as the order remained largely unchanged. As they straightened for home, Lattam moved forward to take over from the weakening leader and briefly looked set to go on, but Mohimma, travelling strongly, produced a late electrifying surge in the home straight to hit the front and quicken further inside the final 200m, drawing clear to secure the verdict with authority. Jalaad Al Shahania (Jaafer ASF), in the colours of Al Shahania Stud and from the Rudy Nerbonne yard, with Lukas Delozier doing the steering, finished well from off the pace to take second, three-quarters of a length clear of the Ahmed Al Jehani-handled Khalil Du Croate (No Risk Al Maury), who also stayed on strongly for Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari with Szczepan Mazur in the saddle.
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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.
