26th December, 2013, Qatar Arabian Derby ~ Al Shahania Stud dominated the day’s proceedings with a rich haul of five winners in the nine-event card framed for the day, while Dubday won the Qatar Thoroughbred Derby.
After losing out narrowly in the opener, where Umm Qarn’s Waad (Mugadir x Entisar) edged out Al Nefor in the Local Bred Pure Arabian Maiden Plate, Al Bashtoon, Al Anga, Aden, Assy and Djainka Des Forges came good for Al Shahania Stud.
Al Bashtoon (Munjiz x Feline Du Cassou) started the winning trend in the colors of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani as the Julian Smart-trained Al Bashtoon with Richard Mullen up came with a brilliant stretch run to win the Pure Arabian Handicap for horses rated 40 to 70. Qabas took the second place ahead of Guide Al Khal.
Al Anga (Amer x Kerbelle Du Loup) was brilliantly ridden by jockey Harry Betntley to victory in the Pure Arabian Fillies Championship for four-year-olds. Vetlana De Faust tried runaway tactics, but was floored by the finishing burst of the Smart-trained Al Anga. Candahar and Suwaida completed the frame.
The other winner came through Aden (Burning Sand x Mayada) in the Doha Pure Arabian Oaks for three-year old fillies. Ahmed Kobeissi-schooled TM Reagan Bret went on a start to finish, but succumbed to the onslaught from Aden who devoured ground in the final stages of the race to win by half a length.
Assy (Amer-Margouia) was the most impressive winner of the day. The Amer progeny swept past his rivals and won the Qatar Local Bred Pure Arabian derby for four-year olds. Taking on some reputed performers, Assy was simply unstoppable as he ran away from the field to win by seven lengths. This is the sixth win in a row for this colt. La Hoor was a faraway second ahead of Arrafa.
Djainka Des Forges (Kerbella x Djamour Des Forges) completed the tally for Al Shahania Stud. Jockey Richard Mullen, who was astride Al Bashtoon, Aden and Assy, completed his fourth win with Djainka Des Forges in the Group II Qatar Pure Arabian Derby for four year olds. This was the first win for Djainka Des Forges in Qatar, beating some notable contenders. Kalino was second ahead of Al Atique.
Dubday wins Qatar Thoroughbred Derby
Sheail bin Khalifa Al-kuwari-owned Dubday lifted the Group I Qatar Thoroughbred Derby for three year olds,Jassim Ghazali-trained Dubday was making his debut in Qatar and what a glorious start it was for the progeny of Dubawi. 16 runners lined up for the 10 furlong race which carried a purse of QR 1.5 million. In the last 300 metres, Dubday (Harry Bentley up) geared up well to challenge Beach Club and forged to the front. Once into the lead, Dubday stretched away in a fine style to make his mark as a notable contender for the forthcoming classics.
The Jassim Ghazali-saddled Scargill was a pillar to post winner of the Qatar Nursery Stakes for two year olds. Jockey Yanis Aouabed took the Ghazali’s trainee to the front and made every post a winning one. Scargill skipped away from the pack to win by nearly three lengths from Rosso Corsa and Peter Mac.
Rashid Al Jehani Al Malki-trained Moaddie and Aseer fought a grueling battle before the former prevailed by a neck in the Qatar Local Thoroughbred Derby.
☛ 25th Dec 2013, QREC ~ HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani-owned Al Majh’hoor came through a rough passage and, with a brilliant burst of speed in the final furlong, overhauled the front runners to win the Qatar Pure Arabian Derby for three year olds at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) on Wednesday, 25 December 2013. Julian Smart- trained Al Majh’hoor (Mared Al Sahra -x Dixie Darlene) was ridden to victory by jockey Harry Bentley. Stable mate Abhar rallied strongly along the rails and clinched the second place ahead of Al Safi.
In the previous race, Alban de Mieulle saddled Haifa (Amer-Djelmila) winning the Qatar Local Bred Pure Arabian Derby. Though drawn wide, jockey Pier Convertino had Haifa race upfront along with Kaydoum. When the race took a serious turn, Haifaa was up to the task on hand as she raced on resolutely to thwart the late bid from Majd Al Uraiq and win by half a length. Kaydoum stayed on to take the third place ahead of Nahla.
Tajaub (Hatteen x Seduction Al Maury) won the 1400m Maiden plate in a field of 16 with Gerald Avranche in the saddle.
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Mishal Bin Hamad Al Thani owned Momalorka was brilliantly ridden by Frenchman Gerald Avarnche to victory in the Group III Doha Thoroughbred Oaks for three-year old fillies.
Ghazali and Avranche completed a treble with Taigan’s win in the Thoroughbred Maiden Plate. Avranche’s power -packed finish enabled Taigan to ward off the spirited challenge of Brief Chat. Half Turn and Successful Year completed the frame.
Debbie Mountain-saddled and well named, Christmas Aria, made every post a winning one as he raced away to a start-to-finish victory in the Thoroughbred Handicap for horses rated 60 to 80. Jockey Evert Pheiffer rode a well-judged race on the winner.
Photos by Juhaim
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