Townsend Manor caps compelling 8-race card with Fuwairit Cup success
Mdmar – Doha – Mohamed Saad
The 55th race meeting of the season took place on Wednesday, 26 February at Al Rayyan on the dirt, featuring an eight-race card that combined breakthrough performances, decisive margins and a competitive sprint feature to close proceedings. The Fuwairit Cup was presented by Mr Saad Ali Al Kubaisi, Deputy Director of the QREC Registration & Studbook Department.
Across the eight races, the winners in order were Mared Al Zaeem making all to break his maiden at the 22nd attempt, North Audley finally shedding his maiden tag with a strong late run, Kafalat denying Yaqoob in a head-bobbing finish, Shadow Army striking decisively in the Novice Plate, Fantastic Deal staying on powerfully over 2500m, Husam Al Shahania returning to form on dirt, Nashmyah Alrekaben overcoming a wide draw to secure her first win, and Townsend Manor sweeping late to land the Fuwairit Cup.
Townsend Manor swoops late to land Fuwairit Cup
Townsend Manor (Advertise x Fen Breeze) captured the feature Fuwairit Cup, a Thoroughbred Open Handicap for 3yo+ over 1100m, Class 2, contested by 11 runners. The five-year-old bay gelding, owned by Al Rufaa Racing and trained by Gassim Al Ghazali, recorded back-to-back victories and a third success from six starts this campaign, produced with precision by Marco Casamento, who completed a quick-fire double.
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Breaking alertly from stall 6, Townsend Manor initially showed early speed before being restrained towards the rear where he travelled comfortably as the pace developed ahead. Weissmuller (Bungleinthejungle) assumed control after early changes in the lead and dictated matters up the straight for much of the contest, tracked by Sardem (Siyouni), Al Mundher (Toronado) and Safwan (Wootton Bassett). Turning for home, the order at the front appeared settled, with Safwan pressing to strike the front and looking poised to capitalise. However, inside the final 200m Townsend Manor unleashed a sustained and powerful surge down the centre of the track, sweeping past the leaders to seize command. The Dunkirk Lads (Pivotal), representing Mohammed Hamad Al-Hajri & Sons and trained by Hadi Al Ramzani, also charged home from the rear and briefly threatened, but Townsend Manor found extra once in front to draw clear and score by a length. The Dunkirk Lads finished 3½ lengths ahead of Weissmuller, who kept on under Mohammed Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik for owner Yousef Ali Al Rumaihi and trainer Hamad Al-Jehani to secure third.
Mared Al Zaeem makes all to break maiden at last
Mared Al Zaeem (Mared Al Sahra x Pampaligossa) opened the card in the first race, a Local Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate for 4–7yos over 1900m, Class 6, contested by 12 runners. The seven-year-old grey gelding, owned by Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik and trained by Ahmed Kobeissi, finally shed his maiden tag on his 22nd attempt with a decisive front-running display, leading throughout to score by two lengths under Faleh Bughenaim.
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Breaking sharply from barrier 3, Mared Al Zaeem quickly assumed control from Muhaffiz (AF AlBahar) and set a steady tempo. Egaab Zakhir (La Hoor) advanced from midfield to dispute second with Molheb Al Meqdam (Dahash) as the order at the head of affairs stabilised, the leader travelling comfortably through the early and middle stages. Passing the 800m mark, Za’al Al Shahania (Harran ASF) launched a forward move from the rear to join the leading group and swept into third approaching the home turn, but Mared Al Zaeem still held sway. In the straight, Egaab Zakhir crept closer along the rail and loomed as the principal threat near the 200m, yet the leader found extra when challenged and quickened again to assert, maintaining control to the line. Egaab Zakhir, representing Hassan bin Ali Hassan Al Matwi and prepared by Mohammed Hassan Al Matwi, stayed on under Salman Fahad Al-Hajri to secure second, finishing a length and a half ahead of Molheb Al Meqdam, who kept on for third for owner Rashid Faleh Al-Hajri and trainer Owaida Salem Al Hajri under Mohammed Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik.
North Audley breaks through in decisive style
North Audley (Cable Bay x Sefaat) captured the second race, a Thoroughbred Handicap for ratings 45–65 over 1200m, Class 6, contested by 13 runners. The five-year-old bay gelding, owned by Mohammed Nasser Abdulaziz Al Attiya and trained by Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki, finally shed his maiden tag at the 16th time of asking, finishing strongly under Tomas Lukasek to score by 2½ lengths.
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Settled in midfield after the break, North Audley tracked a solid early pace set initially by Espirito (Charm Spirit) before Spycraft (Siyouni) assumed control and led for much of the journey, closely attended by Delirious Dream (Oasis Dream). The front pair maintained their advantage approaching the turn as North Audley began to edge closer, improving into third rounding the home bend. Inside the final 200m, Delirious Dream struck the front and appeared poised to prevail, but North Audley responded powerfully when switched into the clear. Over the final 150m, he lengthened decisively, sweeping past both rivals and drawing clear to secure a convincing success. Delirious Dream, representing Nasser Owaida Salem Al Hajri and trained by Owaida Salem Al Hajri, stayed on under Faleh Bughenaim to take second, a quarter of a length ahead of Spycraft, who kept on under Gavin Ryan for owner Rashid Ali Al-Adgham and trainer Bader Al Balushi.
Kafalat denies Yaqoob in gripping finish
Kafalat (Kalino x Al Anqa) claimed the third race, a Purebred Arabian Handicap for ratings 0–75 over 1900m, Class 5, reserved for Qatari and apprentice riders and contested by 11 runners. The five-year-old grey, owned by Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik and trained by Ahmed Kobeissi, overcame the widest draw and top weight to return to winning ways, recording his third success of the season with a determined display under Mohammed Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik, prevailing by a head and completing a double on the evening for his trainer.
Yaqoob (Al Mourtajez) was quickly into stride and dictated the tempo from the outset, with Taaghi (Al Mourtajez) and Almashahar (Dahess) disputing the places behind him. Kafalat travelled smoothly just off the pace, progressing quietly into fourth approaching the home turn as the order at the front remained largely unchanged. Turning for home, Yaqoob kicked on and established a clear advantage, appearing set to see it out. However, inside the final 200m Kafalat produced a decisive turn of foot, sweeping past rivals to join the long-time leader and the pair drew well clear of the remainder, setting up a duel to the line. In a sustained head-to-head battle, Kafalat’s persistence told in the final stride as he edged in front on the line. Yaqoob, representing Hamad Meret Al-Hajri and trained by Hamad Al-Jehani, stayed on strongly under Ghanim Ahmed Al-Jehani to secure second, the pair finishing 5¾ lengths clear of Almashahar, who kept on for third for Al Fakhama Racing and trainer Khalifa Al-Buainain under Hamad Meshlesh Al-Khayarin.
Shadow Army strikes decisively
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Shadow Army (Showcasing x Marie Of Lyon) landed the fourth race, a Thoroughbred Novice Plate for 4yos over 1700m, Class 5, contested by 11 runners. The four-year-old bay gelding, representing Wathnan Racing and trained by Alban de Mieulle, returned to form to register his second career success and his first in Qatar, quickening clear in the straight for a commanding 4½-length victory under Tomas Lukasek, who completed a double on the card.
Morello Man (Footstepsinthesand) set the early tempo ahead of Midnight City (Acclamation), with Assertively (Acclamation) close up while Shadow Army travelled prominently in fifth within striking distance. Approaching the first bend he advanced smoothly into third, and although Byblos (Frankel) improved from midfield to join the leading group, the order among the principals remained largely unchanged turning for home. In the straight, Shadow Army responded generously to pressure and surged to the front inside the final 250m, quickly putting daylight between himself and the field as he powered away for an emphatic success. Lord Deputy (Dubawi), who had been held up behind midfield for much of the journey, finished strongly to snatch second for Al Ghazali Stud and trainer Gassim Al Ghazali under Marco Casamento, edging Byblos by just a neck. The latter, carrying the colours of Al Hedfa Stud and trained by Bader Al Balushi, stayed on well under Alberto Sanna, with the pair well clear of the remainder yet still some way adrift of the impressive winner.
Fantastic Deal stays on strongly over 2500m
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Fantastic Deal (Fantastic Moon x Spectrofolle) secured the fifth race, a Thoroughbred Handicap for ratings 55–75 over 2500m, Class 5, contested by 12 runners. The five-year-old chestnut horse, owned by Al Jasra Stud and trained by Abdulla Al-Mulla, bounced back from his most recent outing to resume winning ways, adding to a consistent sequence that had seen him finish runner-up three times before a prior success. Ridden by Ivan Rossi, he asserted in the straight to score by 1½ lengths.
Settled in midfield through the early and middle stages, Fantastic Deal tracked a pace initially set by Necessitate (Zoffany) before Cambria Legend (Camelot) moved on to lead passing the line for the first time, with Thunder Valley (Night Of Thunder) and Funny Bunny (Trade Storm) also prominent. Gradually improving his position, Fantastic Deal advanced into third behind Cambria Legend and Necessitate as the field approached the final bend. Turning for home, Cambria Legend still held sway, but Fantastic Deal was closing steadily, joined by Funny Bunny on his outside. Inside the straight Fantastic Deal struck the front and began to lengthen his advantage, responding strongly to pressure and establishing a decisive edge inside the final 200m. It’s A Hot One (Too Darn Hot), owned by Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik and trained by Debbie Mountain, came with a thundering late run from the rear under Mohammed Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik, sweeping past the bulk of the field in the closing stages to snatch second., finishing 2¼ lengths ahead of Funny Bunny. It’s A Hot One was simply delivered too late to reel in the winner, but his finish was so strong that, with a touch more room or an earlier launch, the result might have looked very different. Funny Bunny, carrying the colours of owner-trainer Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki, stayed on under Tomas Lukasek to take third.
Husam Al Shahania back to best on dirt
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Husam Al Shahania (Munjiz x Ashraq) landed the sixth race, a Local Purebred Arabian Handicap for ratings 60–80 over 1100m, Class 4, contested by 10 runners. The six-year-old bay horse, owned by Hassan bin Ali Hassan Al Matwi and trained by Mohammed Hassan Al Matwi, bounced back to form when returning to dirt after a below-par turf run, having previously finished runner-up twice on this surface. Breaking well from barrier 2, he travelled prominently before asserting in the straight to score by 2¼ lengths under Salman Fahad Al-Hajri.
Away smartly, Husam Al Shahania settled just behind the early leader Deauville (AF AlBahar) with Alam Al Zaeem (Alam Al Khalediah) also prominent, the order at the front remaining unchanged through the early and middle stages. Approaching the home turn Al Wasmi (AF AlBahar) improved into third while Deauville still held sway turning in. Once in the straight, however, Husam Al Shahania quickened decisively to strike the front and soon put the race beyond doubt, drawing clear with authority. Mukabr (Asraa Min Albarq), representing Al Rakaben Stud and trained by Dr. Fahad Salman Al-Hajri, finished strongly from the rear under Youssef Lachhab to take second, 2¼ lengths ahead of Jalila Alghania (Al Mamun Monlau). The latter, owned by Sheikh Talal Nasser Al-Thani and trained by Hadi Al Ramzani, also stayed on well from midfield under Gavin Ryan to secure third, but neither posed a serious threat to the winner.
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Nashmyah Alrekaben breaks through from wide draw
Nashmyah Alrekaben (Serheed Al Zobara x Ghaniyyah Al Rekaben) claimed the seventh race, a Purebred Arabian Show Horses & Mares contest for 4yo+ over 1100m, contested by 11 runners. The four-year-old bay filly, owned by Al Rakaben Stud and trained by Dr Fahad Salman Al-Hajri, overcame a wide draw in stall 9 to shed her maiden tag at the fourth attempt, having finished placed on each of her previous three starts. Ridden by Marco Casamento, she prevailed by a length with a determined late effort.
Breaking sharply despite her outside berth, Nashmyah Alrekaben travelled prominently in second, initially behind Ward Al Sharaan (S.A Mansour) and later tracking Kadheem Al Shaqab (Sinan Al Rayyan), who set the pace in the same colours. Nibras Al Marroona (Hilal Al Waab), unbeaten in all three prior outings and a hot favourite, raced in close attendance in third as the field stretched out with clear daylight between runners through the middle stages. Approaching the home turn, Kadheem Al Shaqab increased his advantage and appeared to have matters under control. However, once in the straight Nashmyah Alrekaben began to close resolutely, ranging alongside inside the final 200m before asserting. Despite renewed efforts from Kadheem Al Shaqab and the late rally of Nibras Al Marroona, she held firm to the line to secure her first success. Nibras Al Marroona, representing Hassan bin Ali Hassan Al Matwi and trained by Mohammed Hassan Al Matwi, stayed on under Salman Fahad Al-Hajri to take second, 2¼ lengths ahead of Kadheem Al Shaqab, who finished third for Al Rakaben Stud and trainer Faisal Salem Al-Shahwani under Mohammed Moussa.
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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.
