Al Shaqab Racing’s homebred Aajel won the Lekhraib Cup in the first race meeting of the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club’s (QREC) racing calendar at Al Uqda Complex in Al Khor yesterday.
In a thrilling finish, Aajel held on to win the feature of the day, the 2200m handicap (85-105) for Purebred Arabians by a neck under jockey Kyllan Barbaud, completing a double on the day for trainer Jean de Mieulle.
De Mieulle was in the winners’ enclosure earlier in the day also when Al Shaqab Racing’s Anasheed won the 1400m Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate race for three-six-year-old.
Jockey Chloe Mignonneau guided Anasheed to win by one and a half lengths.
In the penultimate race of the day, Mohamed Nasser al-Naimi’s Akmar won the 2100m Purebred Arabian Handicap (65-85) for three-year-old+ race by a margin of one length and three quarters.
The pair of trainer MHK al-Attiyah and jockey Szczepan Mazur combined well to seal trebles with triumphs for Inzan, AJS Haizum and AJS Jassas.
Abdulla Rashid al-Kubaisi, QREC Racing Manager, crowned the winner.

RESULTS
1st Al Uqda Meeting - Lekhraib Cup Day
WINNERS: (Horse, Trainer, Jockey)
1 - Lekhraib Cup, Purebred Arabian Handicap (85-105), 3YO+
Aajel, Jean de Mieulle, Kyllan Barbaud
2 - Purebred Arabian Handicap (65-85), 3YO+
Akmar, Hadi al-Ramzani, Ebrahim Nader
3 - Thoroughbred Handicap (60-80), 3YO+
Inzan, MHK al-Attiyah, Szczepan Mazur
4 - Local Purebred Arabian Handicap (60-80), 3YO+
AJS Haizum, MHK al-Attiyah, Szczepan Mazur
5 - Thoroughbred Handicap (0-70), 3YO+
Flirty Rascal, Al Anoud Khalifa al-Malki, Saleh Salem al-Marri
6 - Local Thoroughbred Handicap (35-55), 3YO+
Mutamarrid, Jihad El Ahmad, Giuseppe Cultratro
7 - Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate, 3-6YOs
Anasheed, Jean de Mieulle, Chloe Mignonneau
8 - Local Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate, 3-6YOs
AJS Jassas, MHK al-Attiyah,
Szczepan Mazur