The Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) organised the 8th race meeting in the Al Uqda 2022-23 season, at the Al Uqda Racecourse sand track on Saturday, 14 January. Khalifa Bin Sheail Al Kuwari’s Kerindia (IRE) (Cotai Glory x Coursing) made an impressive debut of her career in Qatar winning the Marmi Cup in the feature of the seven-race caThe Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) organised the 8th race meeting in the Al Uqda 2022-23 season, at the Al Uqda Racecourse sand track on Saturday, 14 January. Injaaz Stud’s Kerindia (IRE) (Cotai Glory x Coursing) made an impressive debut of her career in Qatar winning the Marmi Cup in the feature of the seven-race card meeting. The Zuhair Mohsen-trained filly turned on the afterburners in the final furlong to go two and a half lengths clear in the 1300m race for 3YO Thoroughbreds under jockey Soufiane Saadi, who completed a double on the day, having won the fourth race earlier. The race was dominated by the progeny of Cotai Glory as other colt Studio City (IRE), owned by Al Shaqab Racing and trained by Eric Lemartinel finished second under jockey Alberto Sanna. The third placed, also owned by the winning owner and a filly of Cotai Glory, Cotai Pearl (IRE), who is trained by Gassim Ghazali was further four lengths behind under jockey Lukas Delozier.

Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi, QREC Racing Manager, presented the trophies to the winners.

Afandem

Mubarak Bin Saeed Aljafai Al Naimi’s homebred Afandem (AF AlBahar x Maboud) put in a hugely impressive performance for trainer Ahmed Kobeissi in winning the opener of the meeting, the 1300m Maiden for 4-6YO Local Purebred Arabians. Once jockey Pranil Arvind asked for an effort in the home straight, the 6YO streaked clear to win by six lengths

AJS Duhail

In an exciting finish to the second race, Al Jeryan Stud’s homebred AJS Duhail (QA) (Camelot x C’Est Chic) came with a late charge in the final furlong of the Maiden for 4-6YO Local Thoroughbreds to pass the long-time leader Al Mustashar (QA) (Polperro) by a short head at the line and win 1300m race for trainer M.H.K Al Attiyah and jockey Szczepan Mazur.

Seraia De Pine

Trainer M.H.K Al Attiyah and the colours of Al Jeryan Stud were quickly back in the Winners’ Enclosure after the third race, as Seraia De Pine (IT) (Munjuz x Sitelle Al Maury) took victory by a length and three quarters in the 1300m Maiden for 4-6YO Purebred Arabian Fillies and Mares under jockey Ronan Thomas.

Alsaher

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani’s Alsaher (FR) (Mared Al Sahra x Assefa D’aroco), after a string of placed finishes, doubled his tally in the fourth race, the Novice for 4YO+ Purebred Arabians. Under jockey Soufiane Saadi, the Rudy Nerbonne-trained 6YO stretched clear to win the 2000 contest by two lengths.

Aluqdah

The Khalid Rashid Al Mohannadi-owned Aluqdah (FR) (Zoffany x Halo De Lune) held on gamely to win the firth race, the 2200m Handicap (0-80) for 4YO+ Thoroughbreds by a quarter of a length for trainer Rashid Al Jehani. Ronan Thomas was the man in the saddle, completing a double on the day.

Bayraq

Jockey Ronan Thomas was quickly back in the winners’ enclosure, having recorded his third win on the day as he rode the Wathnan Racing-owned Bayraq (USA) (Kitten’s Joy x Fly Past) to prevail in the penultimate race, the 1300m Handicap (70-90) for 4YO+ Thoroughbreds by one and a half lengths for trainer Alban de Mieulle.

Source: Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club