Sussex delivered a commanding performance in the 3200m Thoroughbred Open Handicap, clinching The Late Yousef Al Romaihi Cup at Al Rayyan Racecourse Thursday.
The seven-year-old bay gelding secured back-to-back wins this campaign, turning the race into a one-horse show with a pillar-to-post display. Always well clear of his rivals, Sussex powered home alone in the straight to win by a commanding 10 lengths.
Under the care of M.H.K. al-Attiyah, he was partnered by Jefferson Smith. The meeting featured a total of 10 races.
Always well clear of his rivals, Sussex travelled comfortably at the head of affairs and steadily increased his advantage throughout. While rivals and spectators alike may have expected him to weaken over the extended trip, the opposite unfolded, as he continued to find more with every stride, his strength and dominance becoming increasingly evident. In the home straight, he powered further clear without coming under any real pressure, sealing an emphatic and authoritative success.
Foehn, representing Hamad Ramzan al-Naimi and handled by Hadi al-Ramzani, with Alberto Sanna aboard, finished best of the rest to take second, 2 1/5 lengths ahead of the Jassim al-Ghazali-trained Gulf Legend, who kept on for Sheikh Abdul Rahman Rashid al-Thani under Salem Alajmi to take third.
The trophy was presented by Ali, Fahad, and Mubarak Yousef al-Romaihi, in the presence of Saad Ali al-Kubaisi, Deputy Director of the QREC Registration & Studbook Department.
RESULTS 64th Al Rayyan Race Meeting – The Late Yousef
Al Romaihi Cup
WINNERS: (Horse, Trainer, Jockey)
1 - The Late Yousef Al Romaihi Cup - Thoroughbred Open Handicap (Class 2)
Sussex, MHK al-Attiyah, Jefferson Smith
2 - Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate
Louvay De Mireval, Mohammed al-Ghazali, Marco Casamento
3 - Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate
Bin Narain, Ahmed al-Jehani, Arnaud de Lepine
4 - Local Thoroughbred Maiden Plate
Ayash, Ibrahim Saeed al-Malki, Marco Casamento
5 - Thoroughbred Novice Plate
Edgartown, Alban de Mieulle, Faleh Bughenaim
6 - Thoroughbred Handicap (0-80)
Court Poet, Nayef Batal al-Otibi, Salman Fahad al-Hajri
7 - Purebred Arabian Handicap (60-80)
Mejlad, Mohammed Ahmed al-Hajri, Salman Fahad al-Hajri
8 - Purebred Arabian Graduation Plate
Dabida, Alban de Mieulle, Soufiane Saadi
9: Local Thoroughbred Handicap (55-75)
Best Way, Alban de Mieulle, Soufiane Saadi
10 - Purebred Arabian Handicap (70-90)
Mohimma, Jean de Mieulle, Faleh Bughanaim
