The Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) organised the 14th race meeting in the 2021-22 season at the Al Rayyan Racecourse turf track on Thursday, 25 November. The eight-race card day was wrapped up with the feature event, Lekhraib Cup, a Conditions for three-year-olds and older Purebred Arabians. It was Abdullah Bin Fahad Al Attiyah’s HM JALFANE (FR) (Dahess X Al Musck) who won the 2200m race and landed the cup. In a brilliant ride, Soufiane Saadi controlled the pace throughout guiding the four-year-old colt to record a one and a quarter length victory and a quick-fire double for trainer Alban de Mieulle, who also had a one-two in the same race as he saddled the runner-up, Al Walid (FR) (Dahess) as well. It was a special day for the French trainer with others of his wards finishing second and third in other races of the day. It was HM Jalfane’s second appearance this season and he showed much improvement this time, indicating that he perhaps he just needed his seasonal debut, especially as he finished the previous season well being placed runner-up when he was last seen last term.
HM Jalfane started from stall 5 to lead the six-runner field with a steady pace. Both Motrag (FR) (Amer) from outside and Ginkeau (FR) (Divamer) by the rails were at his heels. The proceedings continued unchanged until the final bend. At the beginning of the home straight, the rhythm became totally different with HM Jalfane accelerating and the others chasing him. It looked as if a new sprint has just started. HM Jalfane gradually increased the gap in front of Ginkeau while Motrag weakened and started to give ground with Goldamer (FR) (Amer) progressing to the third positon at the 200m mark. While that seemed the final order of the contenders in the lead, Al Walid came with a late strong sweep to go past Ginkeau from outside to be second and tried to join HM Jalfane, but the latter was not to be caught as he maintained his surge to score comfortably. Saadi’s showed master skills as he controlled the pace throughout to the line. Al Walid, in the colours of Al Shaqab Racing, finished second under Ronan Thomas for de Mieulle as well, who could have a one-two-three, but the Eng. Osama Omer Al Dafea-owned and trained Ginkeau finished third, further one and a half lengths behind, under Faleh Bughanaim almost a length in front of Goldamer.
“HM Jalfane gave a superb performance and the races was good”, said Abdulrahman Bin Fahad Al Attiyah, “He took the lead from the start and maintained it nicely.”
Sami Jassim Al Boenain, Adviser of QREC Chairman, presented the trophies to the winners after the final event of the day.
Umm Qarn’s homebred EQUINOXE (QA) (Atlantic Air x Thurayya) stayed on strongly to win the 2000m Conditions for three-year-olds and older Local Thoroughbreds for by a quarter of a length. The Alban de Mieulle-schooled four-year-old colt not only completed a double on the day for jockey Ronan Thomas, but also chalked up a hat-trick for himself boosting his superb strike rate to six victories in 10 career starts. With such a nice record and the fact that he finished runner-up in all his other four starts, EQUINOXE has cemented his standing as a racing star. Ronan Thomas rode in nine starts, which proves the strong partnership between them. Shaman Bu Thaila (QA) (Soviet Secret) and Al Adheed (QA) (Footstepsinthesand) completed the frame.
GHALI AL ATHMAN
H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani’s GHALI AL ATHMAN (QA) (Harran ASF x Al Nefor) stayed on the best in the Conditions for three-year-olds and older Local Purebred Arabians. Alberto Sanna steered the Rudy Nerbonne-trained five-year-old horse to an exciting win by half a length at the line in the 1850m contest. Aaley Al Magam (QA) (Amer) and Ishfaq (QA) (Asraa Min Al Barq) finished second and third respectively.
VEDUTE
Eng. Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik’s VEDUTE (IRE) (Holy Roman Emperor x Quads) won the 1000m Handicap (0-95) for three-year-olds and older Thoroughbreds. The Debbie Mountain-trained three-year-old gelding proved the fastest in the 11-field sprint under jockey Eduardo Pedroza to take the race by one and a half lengths. Cool Exhibit (GB) (Showcasing) and Monsieur Noir (GB) (Shamardal) took the minor honours.
MAGHAMIR DES FORGES
Al Ghazali Stud’s MAGHAMIR DES FORGES (FR) (Mahabb x Djezabel Des Forges) prevailed in an exciting head-to-head finish in the 1600m Handicap (0-95) for three-year-olds and older Purebred Arabians under Qais Al Busaidi. The Jassim Ghazali-trained 5YO gelding held off opposition by just a short head at the line in front of Saad (QA) (Munjiz). Umm Bab (FR) (Al Mamun Monlau) was further one and a quarter lengths behind in third.
HM AL BOURAK
Mohammed Abdulhadi Saad Al Hajri’s HM AL BOURAK (FR) (Azadi x Al Kahira) regained winning thread quickly in the Purebred Arabian Novice Plate. Tomas Lukasek rode the Hamad Al Jehani-saddled four-year-old colt to a ½-length win in the 1600m run for three-year-olds and older. Hakida (FR) (TM Fred Texas) and Arsalan (QA) (AF AlBahar) finished second and third respectively.
AL HARQAH
In the second race in the card, AL HARQAH (QA) (Storm Account x Adventuress) made history for Alanoud Khalifa Al Malki giving her owner and trainer her first career success as the five-year-old mare, with Ivan Rossi in the saddle, prevailed by very comfortable two and a quarter lengths in the 1600m contest for three-six-year-old Local Thoroughbred Maidens. AL HARQAH has been placed several times and the most recent of these were when she finished second and third in the last two outings, in late October and earlier this month. This time, she rewarded her owner and trainer with a visit to the winners’ enclosure. Jadeed (QA) (Joshua Tree) finished second in front of Hercule (QA) (Trade Storm).
BUNGLEJUNGLEPARTY
Racing began with Khalifa Bin Sheail Al Kuwari’s BUNGLEJUNGLEPARTY (IRE) (Bungle Inthejungle x Brazilian Breeze) taking the 1400m Plate for two-year-old Thoroughbred Maidens in impressive fashion, flashing two and a half lengths clear under Ronan Thomas for trainer Mohammed Hussain Afroz. Roman Number (IRE) (Holy Roman Emperor) and Samos (FR) (Wootton Bassett) completed the frame.
Source: Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club