Photos by Juhaim
December 11, 2013, QREC ~ The Al Khor Cup 1800m was won by Khabbab (Dahess x Ezraa) continuing his good season under Pat Convertino for trainer, Alban de Mieulle. After laying back around the turn, he pulled steadily away down the stretch and made the win by 4 lengths in a time of 2:05:47 over Arkan Al Naif under Marvin Suerland for second, and Al Yarmouk 
Qatari rider Naif Al Hajri turned out to be the star amongst the Fegentri Gentlemen Riders in the Thoroughbred Conditions race, run over nine furlongs. The talented Qatari jockey Naif Al Hajri took the Ibrahim Al Malki saddled One Cool Bex to the front and made every post a winning one as he checked in well clear of Star Deal and Impound. Gentlemen Riders from all over the world were part of the line-up, but it was Naif who dominated the race from the start.
Sheikha Ayisha Bint Mishal Bin Hamad Al Thani-owned Maksab (Hatteen x Kerra) and Khalifa Bin Ali Al Attiya-owned Asas (Hafid Du Bac x Al Wajba) were declared joint winners of the Local Bred Pure Arabian Maiden Plate. After Asas (Guillambert up) had stolen a march and looked set to land the spoils, jockey Stephen Ladjajdj brought Maksab into contention with a fluent run on the outside. With Asas unwilling to relent, a thrilling contest ensued between the two and they could not be separated in the photo finish. Robbama also ran a gallant race to finish a close third.
Al Jeryan Stud’s Slimane by Akbar was by ridden by jockey Marvin Suerland to an exciting win in the Pure Arabian Maiden Plate. After racing a handy second behind Waad, Slimane surged ahead in the final furlong to win from a fast finishing Al Forat. Waad ran on to finish third ahead of Al Qatari.
HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani owned Al Bashtoon (Munjiz x Feline Du Cassou) was a runaway winner of the Pure Arabian Handicap for horses rated 50 and below. The Julian Smart-trained Al Bashtoon took charge after the home turn and went away to win by a widening margin of seven lengths from Selhab Al Naif.
Mohammed Khalid-schooled Thumal Al Naif (Akbar x Fleur de France) was brilliantly ridden by jockey Adrie De Vries to a thrilling win in the local bred Pure Arabian Handicap for horses rated 60 to 90. Though Al Shahania Stud’s Raheel put in a spirited effort, de Vries and Thumal Al Naif were up to the task and warded off the challenge to score a narrow victory.
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