Wathnan Racing’s Air Force Among Seven Contenders for Al Thakira Cup at Al Rayyan
Mdmar – Doha
Al Rayyan Racecourse will stage the ninth meeting of the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club’s 2026–2027 season on Wednesday, 11 November 2026, featuring the Al Thakira Cup.
The eight-race programme begins at 4:30pm Doha time, bringing together Thoroughbreds, Purebred Arabians and locally bred horses.
The spotlight will fall on the eighth and feature race, with seven horses listed to contest the Al Thakira Cup, including Wathnan Racing’s Air Force, trained by Alban de Mieulle and ridden by Soufiane Saadi.
Seven Runners Set for Al Thakira Cup
The feature contest, a Local Thoroughbred Premium Maiden Plate over 1,700 metres, brings together seven locally bred Thoroughbreds seeking a breakthrough victory.
The declared field listed in the available racecard comprises Air Force (Wathnan Racing), Bon Nuit, Lazim, Qahir, Black Diamond, Ghara Alseej and Thaye.
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Air Force carries saddlecloth number one and is drawn in stall two, with Soufiane Saadi taking the ride for trainer Alban de Mieulle.
Among his rivals are Ghara Alseej, partnered by Salman Fahad Al-Hajri; Qahir, ridden by Szczepan Mazur; Black Diamond, with Alberto Sanna aboard; and Lazim, partnered by Faleh Bughenaim.
The seven-runner contest promises a competitive conclusion to the evening, with the participating connections aiming to secure the prestigious feature trophy.
Eight Races Across Different Categories
The programme opens with a Class 6 Thoroughbred Handicap for horses rated 0–60, followed by a Class 5 Purebred Arabian Handicap for runners rated 50–70.
Race three features locally bred Thoroughbreds rated 0–55, while the fourth contest is a Thoroughbred Handicap for horses rated 60–80.
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The fifth race is reserved for locally bred Purebred Arabians rated 70–90, followed by a Class 2 Thoroughbred Conditions race restricted to fillies and mares.
Race seven features a maiden contest for locally bred Purebred Arabian show horses, before the meeting concludes with the Al Thakira Cup.
Wathnan Racing Seeking Another Success
Wathnan Racing heads into the meeting following another impressive result at Al Rayyan, where Intisar De Monlau captured the Qetaifan Cup on 5 November.
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Trained by Alban de Mieulle and partnered by Soufiane Saadi, the mare delivered a strong performance to secure the feature title.
The same trainer-jockey combination will now be represented by Air Force in the Al Thakira Cup, aiming to add another victory to Wathnan Racing’s record.
With seven contenders in the feature race and eight races across the programme, the Al Thakira Cup meeting promises another exciting evening of racing at Al Rayyan.
“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.
