H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa crowns H.E. Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad with Gulf Cup
PAO A LTO wins Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cup
Under the patronage of H.H. the Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani and in presence of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani and H.E. Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani, the events of the H.H. The Amir Sword Festival continued on Friday, 18 February with the second day of the Festival. The day saw a bumper eight cup race card and it was wrapped up with the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cup. The three-day Festival will conclude tomorrow, Saturday, with the final day which will see equine starts taking on each other for the coveted titles, topped by the H.H. The Amir Sword and the H.H. The Amir Trophy.
Following the seventh race in card, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani crowned H.E. Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani with the Gulf Cup after Al Shaqab Racing’s landed the mile cup race.
European flavour in the feature and PAO ALTO wins
The finish of the eighth and feature race in the card was a European one with three runners form France and Ireland taking the first three places in Gr2 QA Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cup, a mile contest for 4YO+ Thoroughbreds. The eventual winner was the Wertheimer and Frere-owned PAO ALTO (FR) (Intello x Peaceful Love). The Christophe Ferland-trained 5YO gelding surged with a clear sweep in the last stages to score by almost two lengths under Maxime Guyon, who recorded a double on the day. The Shamrock Thoroughbreds & Gerard Augustin-Normand-owned and Adrian McGuinness-trained PRETREVILLE (FR) (Acclamation) was second under Ronan Whelan. The Annus Mirabilis Syndicate-owned and Joseph Patrick O’Brien-trained San Andreas (IRE) (Dark Angel) was a further length behind in third under Dylan McMonagle. It is worth-mentioning that Adrian McGuinness and Ronan Whelan won the same race and cup last year when they teamed up with BOWERMAN (GB) (Dutch Art). David Burns, European Representative of Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, presented the trophies to the winners.
AL MIRAGE wins Gulf Cup
In the penultimate race, Al Shaqab Racing’s homebred AL MIRAGE (QA) (AF AlBahar x New Princess) continued his excellent form. Under Faleh Bughanaim, the 4YO colt recorded a double on the day for trainer Eric Lemartinel winning the Gulf Cup, a mile contest for 4YO+ Purebred Arabians by a length and a quarter. This was AL MIRAGE’s third win in five starts so far and he finished second in one of the other two. Such a brilliant start to his career suggests he could be a superstar in the making.
AL SIJ AL SAKAB listed sprinter
Al Sakab Stud’s AL SIJ AL SAKAB (QA) (TM Fred Texas x Gaza) proved the fastest with a Listed victory, landing the Sprint Cup, for 4YO+ Purebred Arabians. The Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki-schooled 4YO colt was ridden to a half-length win by Tomas Lukasek. Abdulaziz Jassim Al Boenain, Al Uqda Complex Dept Manager, presented the Cup to Jassim Bin Hamad Al Attiyah.
BAB AL RAYYAN
Abdulatif Hussain Al Emadi’s BAB AL RAYYAN (QA) (Mayson x Dorothy’s Dancing) completed a double winning the 1400m Local Thoroughbred Trophy for 4YO+. Maxime Guyon rode the Bader Al Balushi-trained 5YO to an impressive win by almost three lengths. Sheail Bin Khalifa Al Kuwari presented the Trophy to Abdulatif Hussain Al Emadi.
KADUPUL
Al Wasmiyah Farm’s homebred KADUPUL (FR) (Dark Angel x Cup Cake) continued her brilliant record in Qatar with a fourth win in seven starts, winning the 1600m Thoroughbred Rose Cup for 3YO+ fillies and mares by over a length for trainer Georges Mikhalides with Tom Marquand in the saddle. Eric Hoyeau, Director of Arqana, presented the Cup to Mohammed Bin Hamad Al Attiyah.
BUNGLEJUNGLEPARTY
Injaaz Stud’s BUNGLEJUNGLEPARTY (IRE) (Bungle Inthejungle x Brazilian Breeze) bounced back to winning ways landing the Thoroughbred Cup. It was a cosy one-length win for the Julian Smart-saddled colt under Jim Crowley in 1200m contest for 3YOs. Mohammed Khalid Al Khalifa, Manager of QREC Equine & Riding Services Dept presented the Cup to Khalifa Bin Sheail Al Kuwari.
ALTHAGAB
Al Shaqab Racing’s homebred ALTHAGAB (FR) (TM Fred Texas x Farh) took the Purebred Arabian Maiden Cup, having clinched victory in the 2000m for 4-6YOs by a neck under Pranil Arvind for trainer Eric Lemartinel. Sami Jassim Al Boenain, Adviser to QREC Chairman, presented the Cup to Ali Bin Thamer Al Mehshadi.
BLUE STAR
Earlier on the day, Umm Qarn and Alban de Mieulle picked up where they left off the day before with BLUE STAR (QA) (Al Mamun Monlau x Raqiyah) winning the opener, a Local Purebred Arabian Graduation Cup, completing a double on her fourth career start. Ronan Thomas rode the 4YO filly to an impressive victory by almost four lengths in the 1600m contest for fillies and mares. Omran Mohammed Darwish, QREC PR & External Communication Director, crowned the winners.
Source: Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club