Wasmiyah Farm’s Maraseem grinds out Ebraz Cup victory

Al Wasmiyah Farm’s Maraseem capped off an exciting day with a hard-fought victory in the Ebraz Cup for thoroughbreds at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club’s (QREC) Al Uqda Racecourse on Thursday.
The six-year-old gelding, trained by Georges Mikhalides, fought bravely to secure the prestigious QA-Gr2 title. Jockey Jefferson Smith guided Maraseem to a narrow win – a quarter of a length – over Wathnan Racing’s Bolthole, completing a double for the owner, trainer, and jockey on the day. Wathnan Racing’s Bolthole came second.
Hamad bin Abdulrahman al-Attiya, the QREC Chairman and President of Asian Equestrian Federation crowned the winners.
In the penultimate race of the day, Ray’q resumed his winning ways with a narrow victory in the HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani Trophy, Local Purebred Arabians, securing his sixth win in just 10 starts.
The six-year-old horse, owned by HE Sheikha Reem bint Mohammed bin Khalifa al-Thani and trained by Rudy Nerbonne, was engaged in a fierce battle down the home straight with his owner and stablemate Aneed Al Shahania. Under a determined ride from jockey Olivier d’Andigne, Ray’q held on to win by a mere head at the line, completing a double for the jockey.
Bader Mohammed al-Darwish, QREC Acting CEO, crowned the winners.
Al Buraq also made a triumphant return to form, winning the Gazwan Cup, a Local Thoroughbred Conditions for the second consecutive year. The seven-year-old gelding, owned by Al Jeryan Stud and trained by M.H.K al-Attiyah, showed his class once again, securing a dominant victory by two lengths. Jockey Pierre Charles Boudot, completing a double on the day, guided Al Buraq to an impressive win, reaffirming his top-class ability.
Arman returned to the winner’s enclosure in sensational fashion in the Mared Al Sahra Cup, Local Purebred Arabian Conditions. The five-year-old gelding, owned by Wathnan Racing and trained by Alban de Mieulle, had come close in recent outings but found his stride here. He unleashed blistering speed in the home straight, overtaking the long-time leader and kicking clear to win by a commanding three and a half lengths, under an expertly timed ride from jockey Soufiane Saadi.
Kerindia continued her remarkable form with a third consecutive victory in the Assy Thoroughbred Filly & Mare Cup. The five-year-old mare, owned by Injaaz Stud and trained by Zuhair Mohsen, has now won seven of her last nine starts, showcasing an impressive strike rate.
She challenged for the lead early on and, once in the home straight, displayed a sharp turn of foot to surge ahead and win comfortably by three lengths under jockey Pierre Charles Boudot.
Earlier in the day, in another nail-biting finish on the day, Boshra displayed resilience to secure victory in the Aziz Purebred Arabian Handicap Cup. The six-year-old mare, bred and owned by Al Shaqab Racing and trained by Jean de Mieulle, faced fierce competition in the closing stages, with several challengers vying for the lead.
Under a determined ride from Olivier d’Andigne, she found just enough to edge ahead, winning by a quarter of a length in a tightly contested finish, where again less than half a length separated the first three home.
In the card opener, Sarastro showed grit and determination to land his maiden victory in the Mared Al Sahra Premium Maiden Cup.
The four-year-old colt, owned by Nasser Saif AR al-Kubaisi and trained by Mohammed Ghazali, positioned himself smartly near the leaders before launching his challenge in the home straight. Under a well-judged ride from Arnaud De Lepine, he found an extra gear to clinch a hard-fought win.
Hamad bin Abdulrahman al-Attiya, the QREC Chairman and President of Asian Equestrian Federation crowned the winners of the traditional Al Sabiq races held as part of the HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani Trophy.
The first four placed riders were Hamad Meshlesh al-Khayareen aboard Malzoom, Nasser Mohammed Mubarak al-Shahwani aboard Tembel De Pine, Mohammed Saad al-Hajri aboard AJS Najd and Abdulla Abdulaziz al-Qahtani aboard Hawi Al Shahania.

RESULTS
35th Al Rayyan Race Meeting - HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani Trophy
WINNERS: (Horse, Trainer, Jockey)
1 - Ebraz Cup – Thoroughbred (Class 1 QA – Gr2) international race
Maraseem, Georges Mikhalides, Jefferson Smith
2 – HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani Trophy Local Purebred Arabian (Class 1)
Ray’q, Rudy Andre Nerbonne, Olivier d’Andigne
3 - Gazwan Cup – Local Thoroughbred Conditions (Class 2)
Al Buraq, M H K al-Attiyah, Pierre Charles Boudot
4 - Mared Al Sahra Cup – Local Purebred Arabian Conditions (Class 2)
Arman, Alban Elie De Mieulle, Soufiane Saadi
5 - Assy Thoroughbred Filly And Mare Cup (Class 2)
Kerindia, Zuhair Mohsen, Pierre Charles Boudot
6 - Aziz Purebred Arabian Handicap Cup 70-90 (Class 3)
Boshra, Jean de Mieulle, Olivier d’Andigne
7 - Ebraz Thoroughbred Handicap Cup 70-90 (Class 3)
Kadovar, Georges Mikhalides, Jefferson Smith
8 - Djendel Novice Cup – Local Purebred Arabians (Class 5)
Naseeb Zakhir, Osama al-Dafea, Faleh Bughanaim
9 - Mared Al Sahra Premium Maiden Cup – Purebred Arabians (Class 6)
Sarastro, Mohammed Ghazali, Arnaud De Lepine