David Nicholls-trained Sovereign Debt hit the racetrack after a two-month break and emerged a star on Day 2 of HH The Emir’s Sword Festival at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday with a win in the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cup (Gr2).
Having stayed behind Injaaz Stud’s Bretherton, Sovereign Debt found his way at the head of the pack on the home stretch, even as Aidan O’Brien’s ward Cougar Mountain surged forward from the back under Donnacha O’Brien.
At the post, the eight-year-old Dark Angel gelding held on gamely for a half-a-length victory. Jassim Ghazali’s Roman Legend, helmed by Harry Bentley, too made a bid but for the second straight year had to settle for a top three-finish in the race.
“He stepped up two levels to Group 2. He hasn’t been as quick here as he has been in other years. He has had a little bit of break since he ran in France. But he is a good traveller and we weren’t concerned at all about bringing him this far,” said Alex Greaves, former champion lady jockey and Nicholls’ wife.
Asked about bringing one of theirs to Doha for the first time, she said, “We have enjoyed it very much. We have done Dubai a few years, but it is the first time we have sent one here and hopefully, we will be back.”
Alban de Mieulle and Umm Qarn had a big race winner for the second straight day with Gaetan Faucon riding Farooq to an impressive win in the Gulf Cup, a mile-long race for four-year-old and older Arabians bred in the GCC.
Having stayed behind Molheb Al Naif, Gerald Avranche astride, for the bulk of the race, Faucon moved his mount on the inside as soon as they hit the final straight, and went first past the post.
HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani-owned Najda was third from trainer Julian Smart, who is yet to open his account at the three-day meeting.
“He is a young horse and has quality. Also, he had less weight today (54kgs). I think he will be better next season. But a mile is a very good distance for him. He is one of the better locally-bred Arabians,” De Mieulle said after the race.
In the Thoroughbred Handicap (Qatari riders) event for horses rated 56-75, Abdulla al-Marri guided Al Jeryan Stud’s Second Life to victory, and in the process also picked up the top prize of USD57,000. Over and above the prize money, the race also involved a prize purse of USD100,000 for the top five riders.
Having led from the start, al-Marri and Second Life came on to the home stretch in the front with Injaaz Stud’s Town Crier, with Rashid al-Marri astride, in pursuit. Just then, the four-year-old filly went wide out to the outside rails, and once her jockey steadied her, he kept her there, eventually surging ahead for a two-and-a-half-length victory.
Muraqabah was the day’s first winner for Jassim Ghazali and Harry Bentley, with the Khalifa bin Sheail al-Kuwari-owned filly winning the Local Thoroughbred Trophy in a close finish.
The win, the five-year-old’s third this season, was Muraqabah’s fourth overall.
A close finish saw, Muraqabah beat Stefano Ibido’s ward Tanja Bu Thaila by a neck, while Qatari jockey Faleh Bughanaim guided Deborah Mountain’s Zuzi to a third place.
“We had a nice enough position at the end. When she picked up, she was very game for me, and she kept going,” Bentley said after the race.
“I think Harry won this race and not the horse because he got her into a nice position for a nice finish. A good winner, but I hope to win more this meeting,” Ghazali said. And more he did win.
Al Shahania Stud’s Aziznefs won the Purebred Arabian Handicap Trophy for horses rated 80 & below, and Al Jeryan Stud’s Almuheet took Purebred Arabian Sprint Cup, with Bentley riding both the Ghazali wards to victory. Ghazali’s now has five wins at the three-day festival this year.
Eduardo Pedroza helmed Ibrahim al-Malki-trained Topsy Turvy for a comfortable win in the Class 3 Thoroughbred Handicap Trophy for horses rated 70-90.
The five-year-old gelding, owned by Sheikh Faisal bin Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani, followed early leader Emaad before taking the lead on the home stretch. Eventually, as the al-Malki ward went past the post first, Hadi al-Ramzani-schooled Goldenfield edged out Ahmed Kobeissi’s Hall Of Mirrors for the second spot.
In the first race of the day, Bronze Maquette, who has been in excellent form this season, scoring thrice coming into yesterday’s mile-long run, notched up yet another victory in a gripping finish in the Class 3 Thoroughbred Fillies and Mares event.
A slow start kept the Mohamed Hussain-trained filly at the back of the pack, with Lady Chantilly, under JP Guillambert, and Botanica, helmed by Harry Bentley, in the lead.
On to the final straight, Bronze Maquette faced traffic but jockey Gerald Avranche sneaked his mount through a gap a couple of furlongs from the post, and eventually came alongside Botanica, before edging her out.
 
RESULTS
Race 1: 1. Bronze Maquette (Gerald Avranche), 2. Botanica (Harry Bentley), 3. Lady Chantilly (JP Guillambert), 4. Regality (Almotasem al-Balushi). Won by: Shd, 1 ¾, ½. Time: 1:37.16. Owner: Al Thumama Stud. Trainer: Mohamed Hussein.
Race 2: 1. Muraqabah (Harry Bentley), 2. Tanja Bu Thaila (Alberto Sanna), 3. Zuzi (Faleh Bughanaim), 4. Mutawassal (Jean Baptiste Hamel). Won by: Nk, ½, Hd. Time: 1:26.044. Owner: Khalifa bin Sheail al-Kuwari. Trainer: Jassim Ghazali.
Race 3: 1. Aziznefs (Harry Bentley), 2. Al Fouz (JP Guillambert), 3. Haddaj Dukhan (Gerald Avranche), 4. Al Sahra (Gaetan Faucon). Won by: 2 ½, ½, ¾. Time: 1:45.488. Owner: Al Shahania Stud. Trainer: Jassim Ghazali.
Race 4: 1. Topsy Turvy (Eduardo Pedroza), 2. Goldenfield (Adrie de Vries), 3. Hall Of Mirrors (Adnan Hawa), 4. Stevie’s Wonder (Harry Bentley). Won by: ¾, Shd, Shd. Time: 1:55.309. Owner: Sheikh Faisal bin Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani. Trainer: Ibrahim al-Malki.
Race 5: 1. Almuheet (Harry Bentley), 2. Mutazz (Marvin Suerland), 3. AJS Qahir (Gerald Avranche), 4. Istibdad (JP Guillambert). Won by: ¾, 1 ¾, 1 ½. Time: 1:18.238. Owner: Al Jeryan Stud. Trainer: Jassim Ghazali.
Race 6: 1. Second Life (Abdulla al-Marri), 2. Town Crier (Rashid al-Marri), 3. Stars N Angels (Abdulla al-Adgham), 4. Nu Form Fire (Saeed Hamad Juma). Won by: 2½, 2½, Nk. Time: 1:25.415. Owner: Al Jeryan Stud. Trainer: Mohamed al-Ramzani.
Race 7: 1. Farooq (Gaetan Faucon), 2. Molheb Al Naif (Gerald Avranche), 3. Najda (Marco Monteriso), 4. Rassan (Pier Convertino). Won by: 1½, 1 ¾, ½. Time: 1:43.488. Owner: Umm Qarn. Trainer: Alban de Mieulle.
Race 8: 1. Sovereign Debt (Andrew Mullen), 2. Cougar Mountain (Donnacha O’Brien), 3. Roman Legend (Harry Bentley), 4. Diplomat (Adrie de Vries). Won by: ½, ½, 1. Time: 1:35.286. Owner: Lady O’Reilly. Trainer: David Nicholls.