5 February 2015, Doha ~ The 5 February Arabian highlight at the Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club, The Qatar Gold Sword, was won by H.H Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani’s Taraf ridden by Brett Doyle. The Local Bred Pure Arabian for four year olds+ over 2200 metres showed Taraf again the best of the field after last winning the QR one million HH Sheikh Abdulla bin Khalifa Al Thani Trophy on 15 January.The Jullian Smart- schooled son of Burning Sand galloped home to win by one length from stable mate Haashed. Kassam and Ghizwan completed the frame. Taraf (Burning Sand x Gethaabah).
Omani challenger owned Raddad (Amer x Djelmila) clinched an impressive victory in the Qatar Gold Trophy, a Group II for Pure Arabian for four-year olds+. The Ahmed Abdullah Al Marzooqi owned and trained Raddad with Asad Al Seyabi up was in the last position, steadily covering position and in the final furlong stretched away in fine style to win by one and three fourth lengths. Al Majh’Hoor finished second ahead of Al Anga.
Raddad, bought in France from the Qatar-based Umm Quarn operation, has shown signs in his recent races in Oman that he was returning to his peak, and a delighted Al Marzooqi confirmed that he would remain in Qatar for the international meeting of late February.
Leading jockey Bentley shared two winners with Ghazali, on Al Murabitoon and Al Hareth, taking his score for the season to 47.
Al Murabitoon (Af Albahar x Opale Du Croate) maintained his unbeaten recordwith an emphatic success in the Qatar Silver Sword for four-year-old purebred Arabians over 1600m, following wins in a maiden race and the Qatar Derby for local-breds.
Always in the first two with stablemate Samjida, Al Murabitoon went on as the field made the final turn. AJS Intifadah looked to threaten when getting a smooth run on the rail 200m from the finish but she faltered when asked to go through with her effort. It was Al Murabitoon that forged clear to win by two and a half lengths.
In Thoroughbred racing
Mishal Bin Ali Al Attiya owned Al Hareth put in a gallant display while winning the Local Thoroughbred Conditions in fine fashion with Majd and Moaddie finished third and fourth respectively.
Al Shaqab Racing’s Dubday scored an exciting victory in the Qatar Gold Trophy, the Group I a race for Thoroughbreds three years +. This was another feather in the cap for jockey Frankie Dettori. Dubday remains unbeaten in Qatar.
Khalifa Bin Sheail Al Kuwari’s Itorio was a pillar to post winner of the Qatar Silver Trophy, open to non Sheikh Qatari owned horses only under jockey Stephan Ladjadj.
Khalifa Bin Sheail Al Kuwari owned Rising Dawn put a second win on the board for Stephan Ladjadj in theThoroughbred Graduation Plate for trainer Jassim Al Ghazali.
Khalfan Mohammed Ali Sheban Al Suwaidi owned Archers Prize won with Dettori in the Thoroughbred Handicap for horses rated 80 to 100 for trainer Zohair Moghsen.
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