Thor’s Hammer caps campaign with End Of Season Cup triumph
Lueur De Faust and Spareo add Cup honours on pumper card
Mdmar – Doha -MohamedSaad
Photo Juhaim
The End Of Season Cup Day, the 70th race meeting of the 2025/26 season, was conducted at Al Rayyan Racecourse on turf on Saturday, 25 April. The ten-race card, a pumper programme, delivered competitive racing throughout and culminated in the End Of Season Cup.
The day’s contests produced a series of notable winners across the card. Qiltan opened proceedings with a decisive breakthrough, Mamoun De Bozouls followed up with a hard-earned maiden success and Selous returned to form with a strong late run. Al Deebil overcame a wide draw to score, Spareo maintained his unbeaten record in the Al Karana Cup and Brotherhood Of Man edged a thrilling finish. Jungle Monarch completed a perfect season with a fifth straight win, Lueur De Faust returned to winning form in the Al Utouriya Cup, Just Bring It finished strongest to regain winning ways and Thor’s Hammer brought the curtain down with a narrow victory in the End Of Season Cup.
Thor’s Hammer edges thrilling End Of Season Cup
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Thor’s Hammer (Night Of Thunder x Kozy) landed the End Of Season Cup in the final race on the card, a 1600m Thoroughbred contest (Class 1) for four-year-olds and upwards, with nine runners lining up, prevailing by a head. The five-year-old bay gelding, racing for Al Rufaa Racing, is trained by Gassim Al Ghazali, who completed a double on the evening, and was ridden by Alberto Sanna. He returned to winning form and signed off his campaign with a third success following a recent runner-up effort.
Thor’s Hammer raced prominently alongside his stablemate Aemilianus (Holy Roman Emperor), just behind the long-time leader Al Mundher (Toronado), who was followed by Evergreen (Night Of Thunder). The order at the front remained unchanged through the early and middle stages. Soldier’s Gold (Soldier’s Call), who had been held up towards the rear, improved approaching the home turn to track the leaders. There was little change until inside the final 300m. Thor’s Hammer and Aemilianus then moved clear and engaged in a sustained duel to the line. Thor’s Hammer edged ahead in the final strides to secure victory in a finish fitting for the final Cup race of the season. Aemilianus, representing Sheikh Mohammed Salman Al-Thani and from the same yard, with Marco Casamento aboard, finished second, completing a one-two for the trainer, 1¾ lengths clear of Soldier’s Gold. The latter runs for Wathnan Racing and is trained by Alban de Mieulle, with Soufiane Saadi in the saddle, finishing strongly to take third.
Saad Ali Al Kubaisi, Deputy Director of the QREC Registration & Studbook Dept., presented the End Of Season Cup.
Lueur De Faust surges late to land Al Utouriya Cup
Lueur De Faust (AF AlBahar x Faustine De Faust) landed the Al Utouriya Cup, in Race 8, a 1600m Purebred Arabian Open Race (Class 2) for four-year-olds and upwards, with 15 runners lining up, scoring by ¾ length. The five-year-old bay mare, racing for Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari, is trained by Hamad Al-Jehani, who registered his third winner on the evening, and was ridden by Arnaud de Lepine. She returned to winning form and recorded a second success from six starts this season, having previously won the Purebred Arabian Guineas on her Qatar debut.
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King Albahar (AF AlBahar) showed early speed before Dabas (AF AlBahar) took control, with Posuelo Py (AF AlBahar) moving into second ahead of Shgarde (AF AlBahar) and Shagraan (AF AlBahar). The order at the front remained steady through the early and middle stages, with Lueur De Faust and Al Zwair (TM Fred Texas) still positioned behind the midfield group. On straightening, the leaders still held their positions, but the race changed quickly inside the final 200m. Lueur De Faust, Al Zwair and Shagraan all produced strong runs from off the pace to join the leaders and challenge for the lead. Inside the final 50m, Lueur De Faust found more and edged ahead to secure victory. Al Zwair, representing Al Shaqab Racing and from the Jean de Mieulle yard, with Pierre Charles Boudot aboard, finished second, ½ length clear of Shagraan. The latter, who runs for Saeed Mohammed Shafi Al Shafi and is also trained by him with Saleh Salem Al-Marri in the saddle, took third after staying on well.
Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi, QREC Racing Manager, awarded the Al Utouriya Cup.
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Spareo maintains perfect record in Al Karana Cup
Spareo (Dahess x Spiralle) landed the Al Karana Cup in the fifth race on the card, a 1400m Novice for three-year-old Purebred Arabians, scoring by 2½ lengths. The grey colt, owned and trained by Hamad Al Jehani, made it two wins from two starts. He followed an impressive debut success by 18 lengths. He confirmed his promise with another authoritative display under Pierre Charles Boudot.
Spareo was quickly into stride and soon took control. He dictated throughout, with Al Zoor (Mister Ginoux), AJS Brooq (AF AlBahar) and A.Z Hadi (Rassan) in pursuit, but never looked in danger. On straightening, Al Zoor briefly headed him. Spareo responded immediately and regained the lead. Pressure then came from behind, notably from his stablemate Gossip Al Cem and Baghia Al Shahania, but Spareo held firm and kept them at bay to score comfortably.
Gossip Al Cem (AF AlBahar), representing Salman Khalid Alotaibi and also trained by Hamad Al Jehani, with Szczepan Mazur aboard, finished second, completing a one-two for the yard. He was 5 lengths clear of Baghia Al Shahania (Assy), who runs for Al Wakra Racing and is trained by Khalid Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari, with Soufiane Saadi in the saddle, with a further 8 lengths back to the remainder.
Saad Ali Al Kubaisi, Deputy Director of the QREC Registration & Studbook Dept., presented the Al Karana Cup.
Qiltan breaks through in style in opener
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Qiltan (TM Fred Texas x Al Dahma) landed the opening race, a Local Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate over 1600m (Class 6) for four- to seven-year-olds, with a full field of 16 runners, drawing clear by 3¾ lengths. The four-year-old grey colt, racing for Wathnan Racing, is under the care of Alban de Mieulle and was ridden by Abdulla Rashid Al-Hajri. He stepped up on three runner-up finishes, including on debut and most recently, to get off the mark with a decisive success on fifth career start.
Qiltan was settled in midfield after the start as Spencer (Al Mamun Monlau) set a steady pace, followed by Zwair (Areem) and Bint Galia (AF AlBahar), the latter a stablemate of the winner and in the same colours. Passing the first turn, Qiltan began to improve, moving ahead of his stablemate and into third by the 800m marker behind Spencer and Zwair. Approaching the home turn, Qiltan moved smoothly into second and soon loomed up alongside the long-time leader. Passing the 300m marker, he struck the front and quickly asserted from the outside, pulling clear with a sustained run to settle the race in convincing fashion. Spencer, representing Umm Al Shukhut Farm and from the Ibrahim Khaled Elahmed yard, with Alberto Sanna aboard, was no match for the winner in the straight but held on comfortably for second, finishing well clear of the remainder. Caviar Al Shahania (Al Mamun Monlau), who runs in the colours of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani and is trained by Rudy Nerbonne, with Lukas Delozier in the saddle, came from towards the rear with a late surge to take third, but never posed any threat to either of the first two, as he finished further three lengths behind the runner-up.
Mamoun De Bozouls denies late to break through
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Mamoun De Bozouls (Al Mamun Monlau x Mounira) landed the second race, a Purebred Arabian Graduation Plate over 1600m (Class 4) for four-year-olds, with 11 runners lining up, scoring by a length. The bay gelding, racing for Al Hajaj Farm, is trained by Hamad Al-Jehani and was ridden by Lukas Delozier. He was rewarded for two recent third-place efforts as he shed his maiden tag.
Mamoun De Bozouls broke well and tracked the long-time leader Monaafasah (Nieshan) throughout. Navarzato (Majd Al Arab), Bin Narain (Al Mourtajez) and Al Bayyin Grine (Al Mourtajez) followed in behind, exchanging positions through the early and middle stages. Monaafasah opened up a notable lead before the second turn, but Mamoun De Bozouls remained well placed in her slipstream. Approaching the final 150m, Monaafasah still held the advantage and looked set to go on. However, Mamoun De Bozouls responded strongly under pressure, closing rapidly before getting up inside the final strides to snatch victory. Monaafasah, representing Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari and from the Ahmed Al Jehani yard, with Pierre Charles Boudot aboard, was just denied after leading for most of the race and missing out on a third career win. She finished second, a length behind the winner and 3¼ lengths clear of Navarzato. Navarzato, who runs in the colours of Al Ghazali Stud and is prepared by Mohammed Al Ghazali, with Soufiane Saadi in the saddle, stayed on to take third, only a neck ahead of the fourth, without threatening the first two.
Selous finishes best to regain winning form
Selous (Lope De Vega x Bella Qatara) landed the third race, a Thoroughbred Handicap (60–80) over 1600m for three-year-olds and upwards, with a full field of 16 runners, scoring by a clear margin of two lengths. The seven-year-old bay gelding, owned and trained by Khalid Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari, was ridden by Anas Al Seyabi, putting a string of lesser efforts behind him to return to form and record a second win from eight starts this season.
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Selous was settled towards the rear early and remained there through the middle stages as Politico (Blue Point) set the pace. Noble Patron (Shamardal), Kaliysta (Holy Roman Emperor) and Court Poet (Dubawi) followed, with Court Poet moving into a clear second midway. Meanwhile, Selous began to improve steadily, moving into fourth before the home turn and soon advancing into third behind Court Poet and Politico. Inside the final 300m, Politico still held the lead, but Selous quickened to challenge, joining him before taking over inside the final 200m and pulling clear to seal the race. Tuscan (Churchill), representing M Racing Syndicate and from the Bader Al Balushi yard, with Maikon De Souza aboard, came from the rear with a late surge to take second, 1¼ lengths ahead of Court Poet, who runs for Abdulrahman Batal Al-Otibi and is trained by Nayef Batal Al-Otibi, with Alberto Sanna in the saddle, finishing third as the long-time leader faded.
Al Deebil storms home from wide draw
Al Deebil (Danadana x Spring Fashion) landed the fourth race, a Local Thoroughbred Handicap (45–70) over 2000m (Class 3) for three-year-olds and upwards, with a full field of 16 runners, scoring by 2½ length margin. The five-year-old chestnut gelding, racing for Al Wasmiyah Farm, is trained by Mohammed Al Ghazali and was ridden by Salem Alajmi. He overcame the widest draw to return to winning form and double his tally at the ninth attempt after two recent placings.
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From stall 16, Al Deebil was restrained to the rear and travelled smoothly through the early and middle stages. Al Nasr Al Washeek (Toronado) set the early pace before Al Hattan (Footstepsinthesand) took over and led for most of the race, with Al Nasr Al Washeek tracking closely and War Boy (Migwar) and Toyota (Toronado) just behind. Approaching the home turn, Al Deebil began to close sharply, moving into third. On straightening, Al Nasr Al Washeek struck the front as Al Hattan faded and quickly opened up an advantage, looking set to go on inside the final 200m. Only then did Al Deebil produce a powerful turn of foot, sweeping past his rival and drawing clear inside the final 100m to seal the race in decisive fashion. Al Nasr Al Washeek, representing Injaaz Stud and trained by Jihad El Ahmad, with Szczepan Mazur aboard, held second. He finished half a length ahead of Shagran Alseej, who runs in the colours of Ali Hamad Al-Atteya and is prepared by Jassim Hamad Al-Atteya, with Arnaud de Lepine in the saddle. Shagran Alseej finished strongly from the rear to take third. His late progress suggested he might have gone closer with an earlier run.
Brotherhood Of Man edges out thrilling finish
Brotherhood Of Man (Siyouni x Companionship) landed the sixth race, a Thoroughbred Handicap (0–90) over 1600m (Class 3) for three-year-olds, with 11 runners lining up, getting up by a short head. The chestnut gelding, racing for Nasser Saif Al-Kubaisi, is trained by Mohammed Al Ghazali, who saddled his second winner on the day, and was ridden by Soufiane Saadi. He stepped up on a recent runner-up effort and opened his account at the 10th attempt after a determined finish that went right to the line.
From barrier 4, Brotherhood Of Man settled just behind the early leader Son Of Sarabi (Cable Bay), taking cover through the early stages. Zoiros (Sioux Nation) and Tuyoof (Pinatubo) followed, with the order largely unchanged until the race began to unfold quickly around the home turn. Son Of Sarabi suddenly lost ground and dropped away. Zoiros moved up to take the lead, with Dark Shore (Dark Angel) improving from off the pace. At the same time, Lucia Molly (Profitable) and Brotherhood Of Man pressed strongly from either side. For a brief moment, the four runners were almost in line as the race opened up. Inside the final 50m, the contest narrowed to a duel. Brotherhood Of Man and Lucia Molly pulled clear and fought stride for stride to the line. They were inseparable at the finish, with the photo confirming Brotherhood Of Man the winner by such a narrow margin. representing Al Thumama Racing and from the Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki yard, with Saleh Salem Al-Marri aboard, Lucia Molly produced a bold and sustained challenge and was only just denied. She finished second, a length clear of Zoiros. Zoiros, who runs for Al Falah Stud and is trained by Hamad Al-Jehani, with Pierre Charles Boudot in the saddle, stayed on for third.
Jungle Monarch completes perfect season in style
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Jungle Monarch (Bungle Inthejungle x Lady Spangles) landed the seventh race, a Thoroughbred Handicap (70–90) over 1200m (Class 3) for three-year-olds and upwards, with 14 runners lining up, scoring by 2½ lengths. The three-year-old bay gelding, racing for HE Mansoor bin Ebrahim Al-Mahmoud, is trained by Gassim Al Ghazali and was ridden by Marco Casamento. He recorded a fifth successive victory to remain unbeaten in all five starts this season, completing a flawless campaign that marks him out as one of the standout performers of the term.
Jungle Monarch was quickly into stride and soon took control. He led clearly from the early stages, with Torvar (Footstepsinthesand) giving initial chase before Kamakameleon (Kameko) took over as the nearest pursuer approaching the straight. Future Man (Candy Ride), who had tracked the leaders in fifth, made his move on straightening and advanced into second. However, Jungle Monarch always had matters in hand. He maintained a strong advantage and never allowed any rival to close the gap. Future Man (Candy Ride), representing Sharq Stud and trained by Mohd Ahmed Mohd Hasan Al-Sulaiti, with Faleh Bughenaim aboard, finished second. He was ½ length clear of Silver Jubilee (Dubawi), who runs for North Racing and is prepared by Hamad Al-Jehani, with Lukas Delozier in the saddle, finishing strongly from the rear to take third.
Just Bring It finishes strongest to regain winning ways
Just Bring It (Harry Angel x Just Joan) landed the ninth race, a Thoroughbred Handicap (75–95) over 1600m (Class 3) for four-year-olds and upwards, with 14 runners lining up, scoring by a length. The six-year-old chestnut gelding, racing for Wathnan Racing, is trained by Alban de Mieulle and was ridden by Soufiane Saadi. He returned to winning form after five starts this season. He recorded a fifth career success and completed a double for both trainer and jockey.
From barrier 11, Just Bring It was settled towards the rear through the early and middle stages as Mai Dubai (Frankel), carrying the lightest weight, took the lead. Lil’ Frank (Frankel), Aljalta (Toronado) and Edgartown (Quality Road) tracked closely behind, with positions changing among them. Around the home turn, Edgartown moved up strongly into second and soon took over on straightening. Inside the final 200m, he still held the advantage, but Just Bring It and Safwan (Wootton Bassett) both surged into contention. The three came together in a sustained battle to the line. Inside the final 100m, Just Bring It found more and edged ahead to secure victory. Safwan, representing Al Shaqab Racing and from the Jean de Mieulle yard, with Pierre Charles Boudot aboard, finished second. He denied Edgartown by a nose, preventing a one-two for the winning connections. Edgartown, also racing for Wathnan Racing and from the Alban de Mieulle stable, with Faleh Bughenaim in the saddle, took third after leading into the straight.
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