SAQR, DJAFAR and QUEEN STORM shine in Guineas contests
RAGDAN wins Sheraouh Island Cup
Mohamed Saad
The Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) organised the 12th race meeting in the 2021-22 season at the Al Rayyan Racecourse turf track on Thursday, 18 November. It was a bumper eight-race card, including two cup races and three Guineas contests. The day was wrapped up with two Groups 3s, which were the first black-type events of the season.
ZYZZYVA
The Ibrahim Saeed Ibrahim Al Malki-owned and trained ZYZZYVA (FR) (Siyouni x Zanatiya) stayed the best of all to land the Barzan Cup. Tomas Lukasek guided the six-year-old gelding to stave off the challenge of his rivals and win the Gr3 mile-long contest for three-year-old and older Thoroughbreds. Pazeer (FR) (Siyouni) and Dark Pursuit (GB) (Pastoral Pursuits) completed the frame. Bader Mohammed Al Darwish, QREC Acting CEO, presented the trophies to the winners.
SAQR
The Gr3 Thoroughbred Guineas for three-year-olds saw a thrilling four-way battle to the line, but it was Khalifa Bin Sheail Al Kuwari’s SAQR (FR) (Dutch Art x Varega) who emerged the victor in the 1600m race. Under Marco Casamento, the bay gelding fought so bravely to win by a short head recording a quick-fire double for trainer Jassim Ghazali. King Shalaa (FR) (Shalaa) finished second. There was a dead-heat in the third place with both US Cliff (IRE) (Footstepsinthesand) and Thunderstone (IRE) (Night Of Thunder) finishing further one and a quarter lengths. Bader Mohammed Al Darwish, QREC Acting CEO, presented the trophy to Khalifa Bin Sheail Al Kuwari
DJAFAR
Al Ghazali Stud’s DJAFAR (FR) (Dahess x Badira) won the Purebred Arabian Guineas completing a hat-trick. The Jassim Ghazali-trained colt sped through the field under a well-timed ride from jockey David Allan to come out on top by one and a half lengths in mile-long run for four-year-olds. Tarek Du Soleil (FR) (Dahess) and First Classs (USA) (Dahess) landed the minor honours. Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi, QREC Racing Manager, presented the trophies to the winners.
QUEEN STORM
Umm Qarn’s homebred QUEEN STORM (QA) (Trade Storm x Yasmeen) stormed home, proving much the best in the Local Thoroughbred Guineas for three-year-olds. Under jockey Ronan Thomas, the bay filly was a two-and-a-half-length runaway winner of the 1600m race, giving trainer Alban de Mieulle his double on the day. Al Gamamah (QA) (Trade Storm) and That (QA) (Swiss Spirit) followed the winner in this order. Eng. Osama Omer Al-Dafea crowned the winners.
RAGDAN
Her Excellency Sheikha Yasmeen Bint Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani’s RAGDAN (FR) (Amer x Margouia) on his seasonal debut doubled his tally as he won the Sheraouh Island Cup. The Rudy Nerbonne-trained four-year-old colt took the 2000m run for four-year-old and older Purebred Arabians by a neck with Alberto Sanna in the saddle. Jabir (FR) (Al Mamun Monlau) and Ginkeau (FR) (Divamer) finished second and third respectively. Saeed Mohammed Al Shafi presented the cup to Abdulrahman Al Mansour, Director of Al Shahania Stud
ABIDA
Umm Qarn’s homebred ABIDA (QA) (Dahess x Altesse D’aroco) came with a late run under jockey Carlos Henrique to snatch victory in the 1400m Purebred Arabian Handicap (0-90) for three-year-olds by a neck for trainer Alban de Mieulle. Di Oco Py (FR) (Nizam) and Muthhil (QA) (Amer) completed the frame.
AL MEHRAB
Owner-trainer Abdulaziz Ali Al Kathiri was the second to enter the winners’ enclosure on the day, thanks to his colt AL MEHRAB (GB) (Zarak x Angel Oak) in the 1600m Thoroughbred Novice Plate. Ridden by Anas Al Seyabi, the two-year-old colt opened his account on his only second time of asking. Cardinal Rouge (IRE) (Holy Roman Emperor) and Samos (FR) (Wootton Bassett) were second and third respectively.
AL EHDAASHARI
Baida Al Gaa Farm started off the Guineas and Barzan Cups meeting with a winner in the Local Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate as the Zuhair Mohsen-trained AL EHDAASHARI (QA) (AF AlBahar x Woodyaan), ridden by Soufiane Saadi, prevailed by a neck in the closing stages of the 1400m for three-year-olds. Hardan (QA) (Assy) and Kandar (QA) (Al Mamun Monlau) completed the frame.
Source: Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club