January 16, 2014, Doha, Qatar ~ Fouladh, Al Anga and Majd Al Uraiq dazzle and shine in the HH Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani Trophy day
The Alban de Mieulle-trained Fouladh (Amer x Jaljalah) produced a sparkling gallop inside the last furlong and a half to lift the prestigious HH Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Special Adviser to the Emir, Trophy. The QR one million ($275,000) local bred pure Arabian race for four years old and over was held at the Racing and Equestrian Club on Thursday, January 16. The Umm Qarn-bred colt was ridden to victory by Italian jockey Pier Convertino. Al Shahania Stud’s Arrafa was second ahead of Dahash.
The Julian Smart-saddled Al Anga (Amer x Kerbelle Du Loup) raised a determined gallop when it mattered most to down the efforts of Farraaha in the HH Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Special Adviser to the Emir, Silver Cup, an eight-furlong race for four-year-old and over pure Arabians. Farraaha (Stephen Ladjadj up) had assumed command and was enroute to victory, but was consumed by the fast finishing of Al Anga under the able riding of Harry Bentley. Kalino, after setting the pace, stayed on to take the third place ahead of Al Majh’hoor.
Hassan Ali Hassan Al Matwi’s Majd Al Uraiq (Majd Al Arab x Mezooh) scored
a convincing victory in the HH Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Special Adviser to the Emir, Silver Cup, a seven-furlong race for four-year-old pure Arabians. After racing in mid field for the most part of the journey, Majd Al Uraiq (Convertino astride) came with giant strides in the final 250 metres and skipped away from the field to record an emphatic victory. Tajarub, Al Safi and TM Reagan Bret completed the frame.
Alban de Mieulle and Convertino went on to record a double with Baaria’s win in the Local Thoroughbred Conditions race, run over seven furlongs. After assuming command at the top of the straight, Convertino and Baaria held on gamely even as Al Mansoor attempted to overhaul the leader, but found the winner too good on the day.
Majid Safedeen-saddled Mojave Desert recorded her second career win with a runaway victory in the Thoroughbred Handicap for horses rated 65 to 85. Mojave Desert (Darren Williams up) shot to the lead inside the final furlong and stretched away to win in fine fashion. Perigueux rallied strongly along the rails to finish an impressive second. Marked Card was third ahead of Power Punch.
January 15 ~
Mohammed Hamad Al Attiya-trained Bin Amer (Amer x Ismala) lifted the Group III Pure Arabian Sprinters Championship, which featured the races at the Racing and Equestrian Club on Wednesday, January 15. Bin Amer continued his winning sequence with its fourth win on the trot. Jockey Harry Bentley positioned Bin Amer in mid field, letting Al Uraiq head the field. Entering the last 300 metres, the race got to a boil with Bin Amer taking the first initiative. Harran and Al Uraiq started to change gears. However, once Bin Amer was shown the daylight, Al Attiya’s trainee raced away from the pack to win in a convincing manner. Harran pipped Al Uraiq to be the runner-up.
Jassim Ghazali – schooled Sputnik Sweetheart won the Al Kharaib Cup, which was the Thoroughbred highlight of the day, in a tight finish. Jockey Bentley, who had earlier been successful on four mounts, came into contention even as Ladyanne had stolen a march. After a grueling battle for supremacy, Sputnik Sweetheart edged out Ladyanne in virtually the last stride of the race to win by a neck.
In the opening event of the day, Sheail Bin Khalifa Al Kuwari’s Ras Al Qimmah (Hatteen x Al Naamah) with Ladjadj up shed her maiden status with a convincing victory in the first division of the Local Bred Pure Arabian Maiden Plate. After racing a handy second until the home turn, Ghazali-schooled Ras Al Qimmah assumed command and stretched away to win in her second career run. Moddhish, Nakhwat Al Arab and Al Baaz took the second, third and fourth places respectively.
Halul Stud’s Jak Al Elm (Majd Al Arab x Keheilah) was another runner who broke through the maiden ranks with one and a half-length win over AJS Admiral in the second division of the Local Bred Pure Arabian Maiden Plate. Having being unplaced in his previous three starts, Mohammed Hamad Al Attiya-nurtured Jak Al Elm (Gerald Avranche astride) grew stronger at the finish to keep AJS Admiral at bay.
HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani owned Rathowan (Amer x Arc De Ciel) came up with a stunning gallop in the final stages of the race to overhaul stable mate Al Bashtoon and win the Pure Arabian Conditions race, run over ten furlongs. Racing in mid field, till entering the home stretch, Rathowan was alerted to the task ahead and Julian Smart’s trainee came like a whirlwind to storm ahead and register an exciting victory. Vetlana De Faust was a notable third.
Jassim Al Ghazali-trained Roman Legend came with a ground devouring run in the final stages of the race to overhaul Twentyfourseven and Scargill to win the Thoroughbred Conditions race for three-year olds. After Sacrgill had assumed command and looked set to land the spoils, jockey Gerald Avranche brought Roman Legend into contention with a brilliant stretch run to win by over two lengths.
Sheikh Nasser Bin Abdullah Bin Nasser Al Thani-owned Amico Mio was ably ridden by Marvin Suerland to victory in the Thoroughbred Conditions race, run over 2,000 metres. Moving quickly from an outside draw, Amico Mio raced a handy second behind Clean Bowled who headed the field. On the top of the straight, Amico Mio came up with a strong challenge with jockey Suerland pulling out the stick. Once into top gear, Yousef Bentaher’s trainee stretched away to establish a useful lead. Umm Qarn’s Lancelot came up with a belated challenge to take the second place ahead of Quel Avantage, who was making his debut in Qatar.
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