Taymoor Al Shahania edges home in Qetaifan Cup

Mdmar – Doha – Mohamed Saad

 Photo Juhaim

The 14th race meeting of the 2025/2026 season delivered another enjoyable floodlit evening on the turf at Al Uqda Racecourse, featuring a nine-race card on Saturday, 22 November. The night belonged to a series of standout performers, with Taymoor Al Shahania, Ghassan, Thunder Valley, Muraykh, Thahan, Far Shot, Mawhob, Duke Of Monlau and Moharb all shining throughout the programme with impressive displays. Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi, QREC Racing Manager, presented the trophies to the connections of the final and feature winner of the day.

Taymoor Al Shahania edges rivals in dramatic Cup finale

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Taymoor Al Shahania (Asraa Min Albarq x Etimaad) showed admirable grit to secure the Qetaifan Cup, a Purebred Arabian Conditions contest for 3YO+ over 1200m, bringing the evening to a thrilling close. The 4YO bay colt, racing in the colours of Al Bida Racing and conditioned by Ibrahim Khaled Elahmed, shadowed the long-time leader throughout before unleashing a decisive late surge under a perfectly judged ride from Alberto Sanna. In a dramatic finish, he swept past in the final strides to prevail by a short head.

Naseeb Zakhir (AF Al Bahar), owned and trained by Osama Omer Al-Dafea and partnered by Damien Morin, ran a tremendous race from the front, responding gamely when challenged and only losing out in the final bounds. Jenkille Hipolyte (Al Mamun Monlau), ridden by Jefferson Smith, produced a strong run from off the pace in the home straight, keeping on resolutely to claim third, giving the owner-trainer of the runner-up another placed effort on the card, with a margin of a length and a half back to him at the line. It was a fitting finale to the meeting, delivered with pace, commitment and a stirring finish that kept the crowd engaged to the very end.

Ghassan powers home in determined fashion

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Ghassan (Footstepsinthesand x Fine Judgment) built on his seasonal debut to record a deserved victory on his second start this campaign. The 5YO bay horse took the day’s opener by 1¼ lengths for owner-trainer Osama Omer Al-Dafea under jockey Gavin Matt Ryan.

The 12-runner Thoroughbred Handicap (0–70), Class 6 over 1400m saw The Hrse Horse (Invincible Spirit) take command early, setting the pace from shortly after the start and maintaining his advantage into the home straight. He was tracked first by Spycraft (Siyouni) and then, around the home turn, by Thanks Forever (Kessaar), while Ghassan, who broke from a wide draw, barrier 11, raced in mid-division, travelling comfortably throughout. As the field fanned out in the home straight, several runners launched strong late bids. Ghassan found an extra gear approaching the final 200m, sweeping past the long-time leader and asserting decisively. Megalithic (Wootton Bassett), trained by Hamad Al-Jehani for Ahmed Hassan Al Malki Al Jehani and ridden by Arnaud De Lepine, finished strongly for second, just a head in front of Campaign Medal (No Nay Never), trained by Hadi Al Ramzani for Faisal bin Ali bin Mohammed Al Attiya and ridden by Faleh Bughenaim, who secured third.

Thunder Valley finishes strongest in tight late battle

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Thunder Valley (Night of Thunder x Moonstone Rock), a 6YO chestnut gelding drawn in barrier 3, built on his seasonal debut to claim a hard-fought victory in the second race on the card, the Thoroughbred Handicap (0–60) for 3YO+ over 2200m, a Class 6 contest featuring 12 runners. Owned by Maryam Abdulrahman Al-Jaber, trained by Hadi Al Ramzani and ridden by Damien Morin, he prevailed by half a length at the finish.

Waqif (U S Navy Flag), trained by Mohammed Hassan Al Matwi for owner Hassan bin Ali Hassan Al Matwi and partnered by Salman Fahad Al-Hajri, dictated matters from the outset, holding a solid lead throughout and travelling strongly into the home straight. Behind him, Baggy Point (New Bay) and Allegorical (Study Of Man) were the nearest pursuers for much of the journey while Thunder Valley tracked the leading quartet smoothly in mid-division. Once the field turned for home, those coming from behind still had plenty left to offer. Thunder Valley began to lengthen his stride approaching the final 200m, closing in rapidly on Waqif and Allegorical before forging ahead inside the last 100m to secure the win. Waqif kept on gamely for second, just another half a length ahead of Salah Al Deen (Magna Grecia), who finished strongly under Alberto Sanna to claim third for trainer Mohammed Al Ghazali and Aldeebl Racing.

Muraykh draws clear for breakthrough win

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Muraykh (Vedevani x Mostada) made his third start of the campaign count, producing a decisive performance to open his account in Race 3, the Local Thoroughbred Rated Maiden Plate for 3–7YOs over 1200m (Class 6), which drew a field of 10 runners. The 6YO bay horse, representing Mohammed Fahad Al-Hajri, was saddled by Owaida Salem Al Hajri and partnered by Abdulla Rashid Al-Hajri, who guided him to an authoritative 3½-length victory.

Breaking cleanly from barrier 10, Muraykh settled in fourth behind the early leader Barqeyya (Vedevani), with Asmahan (Qatar Gift) and Thaye (New Bay) also prominent. The order remained mostly unchanged until the home straight where Muraykh responded willingly when asked, sweeping forward to take command before stretching clear for a comfortable success. Inbihar (Footstepsinthesand), representing Fahad Salem Al-Hajri and trained by Mohammed Hassan Al Matwi under Salman Fahad Al-Hajri, stayed on powerfully from the rear to claim second by 1½ lengths. Asmahan, trained by Ahmed Kobeissi for owner Ali bin Saeed Aljafali Al Nuaimi and ridden by Mohammed Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik, kept on for third.

Thahan digs deep to make winning seasonal debut

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Thahan (AF AlBahar x Daiyala) made a strong start to his new campaign, securing a determined victory in Race 4, the Local Purebred Arabian Handicap (0–65) for 3YO+ over 1200m (Class 6), which featured 12 runners. The 5YO grey gelding, representing Al Ezz Stud, was saddled by Saeed Al Shafi and partnered by Tomas Lukasek, who guided him to a battling ½-length success.

Breaking smoothly from barrier 4, Thahan was positioned just behind the early pace as Roqayya (Al Khalediah) and Marnan (Majd Al Arab) traded the lead through the early and middle stages. Thahan travelled comfortably in fourth before improving to third approaching the home turn, biding his time for the decisive move. Once in the straight, he quickened between rivals to take command, but immediately came under a strong late challenge from Al Amir (Al Mamun Monlau). The Wathnan Racing runner, trained by Alban de Mieulle and ridden by Jefferson Smith, surged from midfield and loomed as a major threat, yet Thahan held on resolutely to secure the verdict. Taimoor (Nizam), trained by Mohammed Hassan Al Matwi for owner Abdulaziz Saleh Al-Otaibi and ridden by Saleh Faraj Al-Otaibi, finished best of the remainder to claim third, 3½ lengths adrift of the runner-up.

Far Shot edges home in tight finish

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Far Shot (Kodiac x She Bu) made his second start of the season count, producing a determined display to land Division 1 of the Thoroughbred Handicap (55–75) for 3YO+ over 1200m (Class 5), in the fifth race on the card, which brought together a field of 11 runners. The 5YO bay gelding, representing Fahad Salem Al-Hajri, was saddled by Mohammed Hassan Al Matwi and partnered by Salman Fahad Al-Hajri, who guided him to a narrow ¼-length victory.

Breaking alertly from barrier 3, Far Shot raced prominently throughout, sitting just behind the early pace set by Espirito (Charm Spirit) and Glengarra (Profitable). The trio maintained their positions for much of the contest, with Far Shot travelling comfortably in their slipstream. As the field straightened for home, Espirito began to weaken, prompting Far Shot to launch his bid. He moved up strongly to take command, but was immediately confronted by Glengarra, trained by Mohammed Hussain Afroz for Al Thumama Racing and ridden by Alberto Sanna, who pressed him all the way to the line. In a spirited duel, Far Shot held on resolutely to prevail by a tight margin. Behind them, Laabbij (Acclamation), trained by Hamad Al-Jehani for owner Yousuf bin Ebrahim bin Yousuf Al-Mahmoud and ridden by Szczepan Mazur, finished fast from a midfield position to secure third, 1¼ lengths behind the runner-up.

Mawhob kicks clear for victory

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Mawhob (Zelzal x Mahabba) made swift progress from his seasonal return with an authoritative performance in Race 6, Division 2 of the Thoroughbred Handicap (55–75) for 3YO+ over 1200m (Class 5), which attracted a field of 12 runners. The 5YO bay gelding, representing Al Raheeb Racing, is trained by Mohammed Ahmed Al-Hajri and was partnered by Salman Fahad Al-Hajri, who completed a quick-fire double after winning the division one. Mawhob prevailed by 1¼ lengths to record a well-deserved success.

Breaking from barrier 9, Mawhob travelled smoothly in third behind the early leader John Steed (Inns Of Court), with Heater (No Nay Never) between them. The tempo remained strong throughout, and approaching the home turn, Mawhob edged closer before sweeping past John Steed soon after straightening. Once in front, he continued to find plenty, stretching the lead and putting the race to bed in decisive fashion. John Steed, representing Faleh Suwayed Al Ajami and trained by Hamad Al-Jehani under Saleh Faraj Al-Otaibi, kept on gamely for second. Morello Man (Footstepsinthesand), also trained by Hamad Al-Jehani for owner Rashid Awajan Al-Khayarin and ridden by Szczepan Mazur, finished powerfully from off the pace to claim third by ¼ of a length.

Duke Of Monlau storms late for thrilling victory

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Duke Of Monlau (Al Mamun Monlau x Humam) delivered another eye-catching performance in the evening’s seventh contest, securing his second straight win in three starts this seaso, and having finished third on his reappearance, he continues to signal a formidable start to his 2025/26 campaign. The 4YO chestnut colt, representing Al Rufaa Racing, was saddled by Mohammed Al Ghazali and partnered by Damien Morin, who completed a double on the evening with this narrow, but electrifying success. He landed the Purebred Arabian Handicap (65–85) for 3YO+ over 2200m (Class 4), which featured a field of 10 runners, by half a length.

Duke Of Monlau broke in third before being shuffled back to mid-division, losing visual prominence as Yaqoob (Al Mourtajez) took control up front, closely tracked by M’tawa El Saa’yeb (Jaafer ASF) and Ikef De Bozouls (No Risk Al Maury). Approaching the home turn, Billythekid Pompadour (Al Mamun Monlau) surged to the front, only for Yaqoob to reclaim the lead once heads turned for home. The closing stages produced a dramatic three-way tussle. Al Kazim (Al Mamun Monlau), trained by Gassim Al Ghazali for Sheikh Ahmad bin Mohamed bin Faleh Al-Thani under Marco Casamento, swept forward strongly to lead, with Malath (Al Mourtajez), representing Al Shaqab Racing for trainer Jean de Mieulle and ridden by Olivier d’Andigné, also flashing home from midfield to loom as a major threat. Just as the racegoers braced for a duel between the pair, Duke Of Monlau unleashed a devastating late charge from the outside, thundering past both in the final strides to snatch victory in a breath-taking finish. Malath stayed on for second, 2½ lengths ahead of Al Kazim, who took third.

Moharb flashes home late in dramatic three-way finish

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Moharb (Sea’s Legacy x River of Silence) produced a sensational late surge to capture Race 8, the penultimate contest on the card, a Local Thoroughbred Handicap (0–65) for 3YO+ over 2200m (Class 4), which drew a field of 10 runners. The 5YO bay gelding, running in the colours of Al Wasmiyah Farm and trained by Gassim Al Ghazali, was delivered with perfect timing by jockey Marco Casamento to score by a neck, rewarding his consistency after two placed efforts earlier this season.

Toyota (Toronado), representing Al Ezz Stud for trainer Saeed Al Shafi under Szczepan Mazur, dictated the pace for most of the journey, with Estoori (Vedevani) and Shagran Alseej (Lightning Spear) also prominent. Moharb, meanwhile, travelled towards the rear, biding his time as the leaders set a steady but unrelenting rhythm. Turning for home, Toyota remained in front as Estoori faded and Shagran Alseej swept past to take up the challenge, seemingly poised for a duel to the line. But the complexion of the race changed dramatically inside the final 200m. Moharb, unleashed from the back of the pack, produced a stunning burst, slicing through rivals with irresistible momentum to hit the front right on the line. Royalty (Migwar), owned and trained by Ibrahim Khaled Elahmed and ridden by Fayos Martin Borja, also finished with a blistering late kick to grab second by a head while Toyota, brave after making the running throughout, held on for third, just a neck and a head away from the first two in one of the closest finishes of the evening.

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