The Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) organised the second race meeting of the 2021-22 Al Uqda season on Saturday, 20 November. The six races of the day were run on the dirt track and the sixth and feature race was the Swayya Cup, a Local Purebred Arabian Handicap (0-80), for 3YO+ over 1300m and was won in brilliant style by AL MAHYOUB (QA) (Dahess x Mafakher). It may have taken 19 attempts, but when the Eng. Osama Omer Al Dafea-owned and trained 5YO horse entered the winners’ enclosure, he did it big landing a cup and feature race. Jockey Ronan Thomas did not allow any challenger to pass, eventually going almost 5 lengths clear at the line.
Al Mahyoub broke from barrier 1 and quickly went to the front leading his 12 rivals with a steady pace. He led throughout the race and while he allowed his rivals to come near him in the early and middle stages, once in the home straight he showed a fierce attitude. At the 200m pole, Al Mahyoub looked as if he had a spare tank of energy. He simply accelerated and kicked clear to score a 4¾-length post-to-post victory. The Abdulaziz Saleh Al Jaber-owned and Hadi Al Ramzani-trained Rahaf HA (AF AlBahar) finished second under Marco Casamento and was further 3½ lengths in front of the Mansoor Mesfer Al Hajri-owned and trained Al Addaaj (Zaeem Al Shajaa), who was ridden by Alberto Sanna.
Following the feature race, Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi, QREC Racing Manager, presented the trophies to the winners.
FEDWAH
In the penultimate race, the 2200m Purebred Arabian Handicap (0-80) for 4YO+, H.E. Sheikha Reem Bint Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani’s FEDWAH (FR) (Amer x Arc De Ciel) stretched away nicely in the closing stages to win by 1¾ lengths. The trainer-jockey duo Rudy Nerbonne and Alberto Sanna teamed up with the 4YO filly to chalk up a double on the day. Khattab De Faust (FR) (Mared Al Sahra ) was the runner-up and Aziz’nafs (FR) (Munjiz)finished third.
PANIST
The fourth race in the card was the Thoroughbred Handicap (0-70) for 3YO+. Ahmed Hassan Al Malki Al Jehani’s PANIST (IRE) (Starspangledbanner x Caribbean Ace) pounced on the leaders late on in the 2000m contest to score by a ¼ length under a great ride by Meteb Ali Al Saaq for trainer Hamad Al Jehani. Master Of Brazil (GB) (Prince Of Lir ) and Noble Ancestry (GB) (Dubawi) finished second and third respectively.
SEA THE LIGHT
Mohamed Abdulla Abdulmalik’s SEA THE LIGHT (QA) (Sea The Moon x Sterope) was at the head of proceedings in the 1300m Local Thoroughbred Handicap (0-75) for 3YO+. The Mohamed Khaled Elahmed-saddled 5YO horse, under Lukas Delozier, displayed a blinding turn of foot to quickly put the race to bed and win by 4½ lengths. Attaf (QA) (Footstepsinthesand) and Malik (QA) (French Fifteen) took the minor honours in this order.
SALSABEEL
H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani’s SALSABEEL (FR) (Burning Sand x Hamiya), ridden by Alberto Sanna, showed a great attitude to hold on in the final stages of the 1300m Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate for 3-6YOs. The Rudy Nerbonne-trained 4YO filly prevailed by 1¼-legnths. With this victory under her belt, SALSABEEL has confirmed her excellent form this season with two runner-up finishes and a win in the third. Hispahan (FR) (Ameretto) and Cocktail Du Loup (FR) (Divamer) completed the frame.
WAR ORDER
Earlier on the day, the second meeting at Al Uqda kicked off with the 1300m Thoroughbred Handicap (0-65) for 3YO+ and a victory for Eng. Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik’s WAR ORDER (USA) (War Front x Shades of Grace), who flew home under Eduardo Pedroza, mowing down the opposition to score by a ½ length for trainer Ahmed Kobeissi. Rock Of Diamonds (IRE) (Society Rock) finished second ahead of the third-placed Rock Bottom (GB) (Coach House).
Source: Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club