The Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) organised the 25th race meeting in the 2022-23 season, and the first in 2023, at the Al Rayyan Racecourse sand track on Wednesday, 5 January. In the feature of the eight-race card, Al Shaqab Racing’s homebred Meethag (FR) (Dahor De Brugere x Al Nachmiya) grabbed her second straight win and the third in her last four starts, as she landed the day’s feature, the Umm Al Zubar Cup, for trainer Eric Lemartinel and under jockey Alberto Sanna, who rode her to win the 1700m contest for 4YO+ Purebred Arabians by over a length. In doing so, the seven-year-old mare retained the Umm Al Zubar Cup for Al Shaqab Racing for the second year in a row as Um Taj (FR) (Al Mamun Monlau x Dyala), carrying the same colours, won the same event and cup last year for the same trainer. The Khalifa Bin Sheail Al Kuwari-owned and Julian Smart-trained Hidalgo Du Croate (FR) (Al Mamun Monlau) was the runner-up this time around under jockey JP Guillambert. The Osama Omer Al Dafea-owned and trained Baker De Saularie (FR) (Kerbella) finished third as he was further two and a half lengths behind under jockey Soufiane Saadi.
QREC Racing Manager, Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi presented the trophies to the winners.
Metrash
The opener of the day, the 1700m Handicap (0-65) for 4YO+ Purebred Arabians, was taken in impressive style by the Al Anood Stud-owned and Alanoud Khalifa Al Malki-trained Metrash (QA) (Pharfadet x Una Bella), who drew three lengths clear and got off the mark under jockey Carlos Henrique. That was the start of several wide-margin wins.
S K Barq
The second race in the card, the 1700m Maiden for 4-6YO Local Thoroughbreds, saw a very impressive effort from Jassim Bin Hamad Al Atteya’s homebred S K Barq (QA) (Danadana x Desert Skies), who bolted clear by almost seven lengths, the widest on the day, at the line for trainer Mohammed Hamad Al Attiya and jockey Soufiane Saadi.
M’tawa El Saa’yeb
The 1900m Maiden for 4-6YO Purebred Arabians saw another wide-margin winner as Al Shahania Stud’s homebred M’tawa El Saa’yeb (FR) (Jaafer ASF x Carsa Du Ginioux) was the four-and-a-half length runaway winner of the third race under jockey Lukas Delozier for trainer Rudy Nerbonne.
Cei Connah
The Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik-owned Cei Connah (IRE) (El Kabeir x Areyaam Rose) got off the mark in emphatic style as he won the fourth race, the 1900m Handicap (0-75) for 4YO+ Thoroughbreds by over four lengths for trainer Debbie Mountain with jockey Jefferson Smith in the saddle.
Rockfire
The Sheikh Mohammed Bin Salman Al Thani-owned Rockfire (IRE) (Sea The Stars x Flame Of Gibraltar) continued his solid efforts to win the fifth race of the meeting, the 1900m Handicap (65-85) for 4YO+ Thoroughbreds by three quarters of a length under jockey Marco Casamento for trainer Gassim Ghazali.
Doghan
In the sixth race, the Al Brenes Stud-owned Doghan (QA) (Windsor Palace x Zsa Zsa Galore) bounced back to form for trainer Owaida Salem Al Hajri with success in the Handicap (75-95) for 4YO+ Local Thoroughbreds as jockey Ivan Rossi rode him to win the 1200m contest by half a length.
Ietibar
In a close finish, Ali Bin Saeed Aljafali Al Nuaimi’s homebred Ietibar (QA) (Al Mamun Monlau x Ahwal) won the penultimate race, the 1200m Conditions for 4YO+ Local Purebred Arabians. Under jockey Pranil Arvind, the Ahmed Kobeissi-saddled 5YO mare just denied AJS Al Aredh (QA) (Majd Al Arab) by a short head.
Source: Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club