Doughty AJS Saaeq won the Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani Trophy at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club’s (QREC) Al Rayyan Park on Thursday.
Al Jeryan Stud’s five-year old Bay defeated Wathana Racing’s Sealine by a neck to win the the 1600m long feature race of the day for the Local Purebred Arabians.
Jockey Szczepan Mazur guided and MHK al-Attithyah trained horse looked poised for a clear win when he entered the final stretch, but Ronan Thomas-ridden Sealine and Abida with Carlos Henrique in the saddle, posed a huge challenge for the race leader until the post.
Sealine almost caught up, but AJS Saeeq prevailed while Abida finished three-quarters of a length behind the winner who bagged the top prize of the day, worth QR285,000.
HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani crowned the winners in the presence of QREC chairman HE Issa bin Mohamed al-Mohannadi.
Al-Mohannadi thanked His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani for attending the coronation of the winners the last three race meetings. He congratulated the winning owners and trainers, stressing the strength and excitement of the races this season which will reach its peak at HH The Amir’s Sword Festival.
Earlier, De Mieulle-trained Jabalah (FR) clinched the HH Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani Cup for Purebred Arabians (Gr2 PA).
Soufiane Saadi-ridden seven-year old bay horse dominated the QR400,00 race, winning by 2 3/4 length ahead of his closest rival Sayaad (FR) who had Marco Casamento in the saddle.
HH Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani Silver Cup (Purebred Arabians -4yo only) was won by Salmeen Abdulla S A Al Jabri-owned Princesse Mourtajez (FR).
The Zuhair Mohsen-trained four-year old grey filly was ridden to success by famed jockey Ronan Thomas. The Jefferson Smith-ridden Hadlan (QA) finished second 1 3/4 lengths back.
Shgarde (USA), trained by Mohamed Khaled Elahmed won the Majd Al Arab Sprinter Championship - Purebred Arabians (Gr3 PA) with jockey Alberto Sanna in the saddle, while Umm Qarn Trophy - Thoroughbreds (Class 2) was won by In The Night (IRE) who was guided by Tomas Lukasek.
De Mieulle had another success when Saadi-ridden Queen Storm (QA) clinched the French King Cup - Local Thoroughbreds, while Three Diamonds (GB) captured the Yasmeen Cup - Thoroughbred Handicap 70-90 (Class 3) honours.
The Al-Attiyah-trained Arabic Channel (USA) won the Charm Spirit Cup - Thoroughbred Handicap 70-90 (Class 3) while Nuvolari (GB) won the opening race of the day, Very Nice Name Cup - Thoroughbred Novice Plate (Class 5).
RESULTS
HH Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani Trophy (Local Purebred Arabians)
AJS Saaeq (QA), M.H.K Al Attiyah, Szczepan Mazur
HH Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani Cup - Purebred Arabians (Gr2 PA)
Jabalah (FR), Alban Elie De Mieulle Soufiane Saadi
HH Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani Silver Cup - Purebred Arabians (4yo only)
Princesse Mourtajez (FR), Zuhair Mohsen, Ronan Thomas
Majd Al Arab Sprinter Championship - Purebred Arabians (Gr3 PA)
Shgarde (USA), Mohamed Khaled Elahmed, Alberto Sanna
Umm Qarn Trophy - Thoroughbreds (Class 2)
In The Night (IRE), Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki, Tomas Lukasek
French King Cup - Local Thoroughbreds
Queen Storm (QA), Alban Elie De Mieulle, Soufiane Saadi
Yasmeen Cup - Thoroughbred Handicap 70-90 (Class 3)
Three Diamonds (GB), Hamad Al Jehani, Ronan Thomas
Charm Spirit Cup - Thoroughbred Handicap 70-90 (Class 3)
Arabic Channel (USA), M.H.K Al Attiyah, JP Guillambert
Very Nice Name Cup - Thoroughbred Novice Plate (Class 5)
Nuvolari (GB), Tareq Essa R A Abdulla, Ivan Rossi
