His Highness Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani crowned the winners of His Highness’s Trophy and Cups at the race meeting held under His Highness’s patronage at QREC on Thursday, 10 January. His Highness Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani also crowned the winners of the traditional Al Sabeq Races run on the sidelines of the meeting. His Excellency Issa Bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi, QREC Chairman, and Nasser Bin Sherida Al Kaabi, QREC CEO, were present during the trophy and cup presentation.
Sheikh Khalifa Bin Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani’s SHARESA (Burning Sand x Margouia) maintained her unbeaten record this season when the Julian Colin Smart trained filly edged out Jassim Mohammed Ghazali Jahromi schooled MOLHEB AL NAIF (Amer x Kesbah), ridden by Harry Bentley, by half a length to win the H.H. SHEIKH ABDULLAH BIN KHALIFA AL THANI TROPHY (LOCAL PUREBRED ARABIANS 4 YEAR OLDS & OLDER) on Thursday. In the final furlong, as Umm Qarn’s AAHIL (Munjiz x Daniah) and last year’s winner, Molheb Al Naif, were neck to neck, Theo Bachelot got Sharesa going and in the final few metres the filly had picked up a memorable win, her third this season and sixth overall.
In a thrilling finish to the penultimate race of the day, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani’s EBRAZ (Amer x Massamarie) picked up his seventh career victory in the H.H. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani Cup (Gr2 PA). Staying in the rear third of the eight strong miler, Theo Bachelot then found his mount in some traffic on the rails. The duo then made good use of a timely gap on the straight, taking the lead with Umm Qarn’s TAYF (Amer x Djelmila) in pursuit. Ebraz, however, held on for a fine victory. Jassim Mohammed Ghazali Jahromi’s ward, SPAGHETTI (Snoopi x Nouillaugratin), completed the top three under Harry Bentley.
Al Shaqab Racing’s GTNAH (TM Fred Texas x Mayada) edged out H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani’s MAXR (Jaafer ASF x Al Shahania Aseala) in a fantastic finish to the H.H SHEIKH ABDULLAH BIN KHALIFA AL THANI SILVER CUP (4yo PUREBRED ARABIANS) on Thursday. Alban Elie Marie De Mieulle trained Gtnah took a slender advantage under Ronan Thomas in the final stages of the 2200m race. However, Ryan Curatolo ridden debutant, Maxr, came off the final bend far on the outside and then surged past the rest of the field on the outer rail. Gtnah moved out too and eventually beat Julian Colin Smart saddled Maxr by a short head for a memorable win. ANNAN (Jaafer ASF x Djamour Des Forges), also trained by Smart, completed the top three.
AL MUNTATHAR (AF AlBahar x Intifadah) was the second consecutive winner on the day for trainer Ibrahim Saeed Ibrahim Al Malki and jockey Eduardo Pedroza. Pedroza, riding in the colours of Sheikh Salman bin Jassim al-Thani, guided the 6yo colt to a comfortable one length victory in the 1100m MAJD AL ARAB P/A SPRINTER CHAMPIONSHIP (Gr3 PA) (4yo & older). The victory was the colt’s third in his career that had started with two consecutive wins last season.
Ibrahim Saeed Ibrahim Al Malki trained PAZEER (Siyouni x Parandeh) led a one-two for owner Abdulatif Hussain Al Emadi in the UMM QARN TROPHY (THOROUGHBREDS (Class 2)). In the 2000m run, Eduardo Pedroza kept his 5yo mount midfield early on but picked up the pace coming off the final bend, eventually leaving the rest to fight for minor honours. Ivan Rossi ridden Jewel House then created a gap of his own on the other rivals to finish three lengths and three quarters behind for his runner up spot.
Hadi Nasser Rashid Al Ramzani schooled HAJAAM (Invincible Spirit x Doula) may have been out of his depth in Gr2 company last time round, but the Al Jeryan Stud gelding had little trouble bouncing back with a win in the YASMEEN CUP (THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP (Class 3) Rated 70 – 90) at the Al Rayyan Park turf. Helmed by Tomas Lukasek in the 1850m race, Hajaam took a slight advantage on the home straight and then held on to the lead for a quarter length victory at the post.
Last season, Khalifa Bin Sheail Al Kuwari’s AL MAFTOON (Lilbourne Lad x Mooching Along) had never finished outside the money in six outings, including a win and four runner-up finishes. On Thursday in the CHARM SPIRIT CUP (THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP (Class 3) Rated 70 – 90) the Mohammed Jassim Ghazali Jahromi trained gelding tracked early leader Amaani, and then took the advantage coming on to the home straight, eventually winning by three quarters of a length under Harry Bentley.
Rashid Mohammed Al Jehani trained ES’HAIL (Giant’s Causeway x Much Obliged) was impressive in his third place finish in the Qatar Derby (Gr1) last month and on his third run this season, the Khalid Rashid Al Mohannadi owned colt shed his maiden status in fantastic style with Gerald Avranche riding the 4yo to victory in the VERY NICE NAME CUP (THOROUGHBRED GRADUATION PLATE Class 5) on Thursday. The colt topped the miler with four lengths to spare at the post.