The Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) organised the 19th race meeting in the 2021-22 season at the Al Rayyan Racecourse sand track on Wednesday, 15 December. The eighth and feature event was the Sprint Cup, 3YO+ Purebred Arabians. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mishal Bin Hamad Al Thani’s Lekhraib (QA) (AF AlBahar x Grace T) completed a double landing the feature event of the day, for the second straight week, and scoring his 14th victory in 28 career starts. Ridden by Marco Casamento, the 7YO prevailed by 2 lengths giving trainer Mohammed Ghazali a double on the day. Tamih (FR) (Majd Al Arab), in the colours of Ahmad Mubarak Al-Kuwari, finished second under JP Guillambert for trainer Eng. Mohamed Rashid Seif Al Kuwari. The Hassan Bin Ali Hassan Al Matwi-owned and trained Raqee (QA) (Mared Al Sahra) was 3 ½ lengths behind in third under Rashid Ali Al-Marri.
Bader Mohammed Al Darwish, QREC Acting CEO, presented the trophies to the winners.
SAFI AL ZAMAN
In the penultimate race of the evening, Zakhir Stud’s SAFI AL ZAMAN (FR) (AF AlBahar x Gold Label) on third start in Qatar, won the Purebred Arabian Handicap (0-95). The Szczepan Mazur-ridden 4YO colt was a 2¼-length runaway winner of the 1700m contest for trainer Mohammed Salama Ashour. Nakheel (FR) (General) and Haffiz (FR) (Nieshan) completed the frame.
I AM THUNDER
Yousuf Mubarak Al Kuwari’s I AM THUNDER (IRE) (Night Of Thunder x Martine’s Spirit) regained winning thread quickly as he took the 1200m Thoroughbred Handicap (0-85) by 1¼ lengths for trainer Hamad Al Jehani and jockey Rashid Ali Al Marri. Doha Incanto (NZ) (Per Incanto) and Cool Exhibit (GB) (howcasing) finished second and third respectively.
SALSABEEL
H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani’s SALSABEEL (FR) (Burning Sand x Hamiya) completed a double as trainer Rudy Nerbonne and jockey Alberto Sanna teamed up with the 4YO to dominate the 1200m Purebred Arabian Novice Plate for Fillies & Mares by 6½ lengths. Rahaf HA (QA) (AF AlBahar) was the runner-up in front of Salsabiel (FR) (AF AlBahar).
DOGHAN
In the fourth race in the card, Nasser Owaida Salem Al Hajri’s DOGHAN (QA) (Windsor Palace x Zsa Zsa Galore), under Faleh Bughanaim, got off the mark on his 4th career-start, winning the 1200m Local Thoroughbred Handicap (0-70) by 3 lengths for trainer Owaida Salem Al Hajri. Sheikha (QA) (Leroidesanimaux) and Dalal Al Brooq (QA) (Prospector’s Treat), were the nearest to follow the winner to the finish line in this order.
COMRADE IN ARMS
In Race 3, Eng. Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik’s COMRADE IN ARMS (USA) (War Front x Maryinsky), under Anas Al Seyabi, won the 1900m Thoroughbred Handicap (0-70) by a ½ length for trainer Ahmed Kobeissi. Hafez (IRE) (Dark Angel) and Noble Ancestry (GB) (Dubawi) took the minor honours.
AL ADDAAJ
In the second race, the Mansoor Mesfer Al Hajri-bred, owned and trained AL ADDAAJ (QA) (Zaeem Al Shajaa x Sho’alat Al Wajba) was the comfortable 2¼-length winner of the 1700m Local Purebred Arabian Handicap (0-75). Khalid Al Balushi was the man in the saddle. Benghazi Al Naif (QA) (T M Fred Texas) and Seham Zakhir (QA)
(Dahess) completed the frame.
HISPAHAN
Mohammed Ghazali started the meeting, saddling the first three home in the Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate with the Mohammed Bin Hassan Al Emadi-owned HISPAHAN (FR) (Ameretto) under Qais Al Busaidi landing the spoils by impressive 4½ lengths. The winner’s stablemates Taht Amrek (FR) (Mared Al Sahra) and Ol Py (FR) (Mahabb) were second and third respectively.
Source: Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club