The Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) organised the 49th race meeting in the 2021-22 season, Al Wakra Cup Day, at the Al Rayyan Racecourse turf track on Thursday, 14 April. Al Shaqab Racing’s homebred AL WAKRAH (FR) (TM Fred Texas x Majida) landed Al Wakra Cup for trainer Eric Lemartinel, giving jockey Faleh Bughanaim a double. She took the feature, a 1750m contest for 4YO Purebred Arabian Fillies by half a length. The Mohammed Bin Fahad A H Al Attiya-owned and Mohammed Ghazali-trained BROOG (FR) (AF AlBahar) was the runner-up under Tadgh O’Shea. The Abdullah Saeed Abdullah Al-Mesnad-owned and Wasim Al Sahn-trained CHANCE (FR) (Divamer) was further two and a half lengths behind in third under Alberto Sanna.
Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi, QREC Racing Manager, presented the trophies to the winners.
AALEY AL MAGAM
Meshaal Bin Ali Al Attiyah’s AALEY AL MAGAM (QA) (Amer x Abigaille) took the penultimate race of the evening, the 2350m Conditions for 4YO+ Purebred Arabians. The Gassim Ghazali-trained 10YO was guided by Tadgh O’Shea to a length victory.
ZWELELA
In the sixth race, the Weight For Age Plate for 3YO+ Thoroughbred Fillies & Mares went to the in-form Hamad Al Jehani as he doubled up on the day having saddled Al Hajaj Stud’s ZWELELA (FR) (Toronado x Umm Bab) to win the 1400m race by two and a half lengths with Faleh Bughanaim in the saddle.
NOBLE MASTERPIECE
In the fifth race, Injaaz Stud’s NOBLE MASTERPIECE (GB) (Dutch Art x Elysian) regained winning thread as he took the 1500m Handicap (0-95) for 3YO+ Thoroughbreds by one and a quarter lengths for trainer Julian Smart and jockey Marco Casamento.
STANLEY BALDWIN
In the fourth race, Mohamed Abdulla Al Hajri’s STANLEY BALDWIN (GB) (Showcasing x Madame Defarge) got off the mark in the Handicap (0-75) for 3YO+ Thoroughbreds. Khalid Al Balushi rode the Hamad Al Jehani-schooled 4YO colt to a one and three quarter length win in the 1400m contest.
MUALE’M
In the third race, Al Shahania Stud’s homebred MUALE’M (QA) (Mared Al Sahra x Uchka De Ghazal) doubled his tally on his fifth outing winning the 1750m Novice Plate for 4YO+ Local Purebred Arabians. The Rudy Nerbonne-saddled colt was ridden by Alberto Sanna to an impressive easy seven length victory.
AJS SAFWAN
In the second race, Al Jeryan Stud’s homebred AJS SAFWAN (QA) (Battle of Marengo x Corsola) confirmed his promising debut, winning the 1500m Maiden Plate for 3YO Local Thoroughbreds by one and three-quarter lengths for trainer M.H.K Al Attiyah and jockey Szczepan Mazur.
EIFRIT
Zakhir Stud’s EIFRIT (FR) (Jenjal x Gaswa) won the opener of the Al Wakra Cup Day. The Mohammed Salama Ashour-trained colt, on second career start, cruised with a bang to a smashing four and a quarter length win in the 1400m Maiden Plate for 3YO Purebred Arabians under Pranil Arvind.
Source: Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club