Raqiyah, Joshua Tree reign supreme

HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad al-Thani presents the Qatar International Invitational Cup to trainer Ibrahim al-Malki (left) and jockey Adrie de Vries after Joshua Tree had won the event at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday. Pictures: Tariq Salem

By Chris Hoover/Doha
Ibrahim al-Malki trained Joshua Tree asserted his superiority with a commanding victory in the Qatar International Invitational Cup for Thoroughbreds, which featured yesterday’s races at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club.
Though there were a few of strong contenders in the fray,  Joshua Tree gave no anxious moments to his supporters as he checked in well clear of his opponents under the able riding of Adrie de Vries, who set his own pace and sped away from the pack to win by two and a half lengths.
"I had a lot of confidence in Joshua Tree today as he needed the run last time. He has been working well in the workouts and has improved vastly. Since I found no pace maker, I had to take Joshua Tree to the front. I knew that Joshua Tree could do it from the front as well and he proved me right as he kept on going. He is class horse and I am glad I got the opportunity to ride him in this race,” a jubilant jockey Vries explained.
 

The winners of the Argentine Jockey Club Stakes strike a pose after the presentation ceremony

Trainer Ibrahim was delighted with Joshua Tree’s victory. "I am very happy with Joshua Tree and I thank  my owner Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa al-Attiya for giving me the opportunity to train such a champion. He is a honest horse and has a very bright future ahead of him.”
The emphatic victory of Joshua Tree has kindled the interest in its owners to send him to Dubai to take part in the Dubai Carnival. "We have an invitation to race Joshua Tree in Dubai. We will take a call on that offer soon and hope to win there as well. This is one of the best Thoroughbreds to have raced here in Qatar,”  trainer Ibrahim said.
Trainer Alban de Mieulle nurtured Raqiyah (Oliver Peslier up) came up with yet another brilliant performance while beating the opposition in the Qatar International Trophy,a Group I race for Pure Arabians.
Burning Fancy and Aziz  hit the front as the field was dispatched for the eight furlong trip. Raqiyah raced in a handy fifth position, with the others close on hers heels.
Rounding the final bend, Raqiyah swiftly moved into striking position as Al Shahania Stud’s Areej (Stephen Ladajd astride) surged into the lead. When Peslier asked for an effort from Raqiyah, the five year old filly came alongside the front runner and went away from Areej without any apparent effort to record yet another remarkable victory and give its trainer Alban his eighth successive Qatar International Trophy win.
Earlier, Dahess (2004 and 2005), Al Dahma (2006, 2008, 2009, 2010) and Majd Al Arab (2007) had done Umm Qarn Farms proud in this prestigious event.
"Raqiyah is a very nice filly and she won very easy today. Oliver was In total control and he did not have to push hard to win here,” trainer Alban said.

The ‘Most Beautiful Hat’ competition attracted over 60 participants and it created a festive atmosphere at the races. Nona Noujeim took the first place, while  Concepcion Martinez was adjudged the second best followed by Marie Lefauconnier who took the third place

Talking about General’s performance in the race, Alban said. "This was General’s first run after five months. He needed this run and will be a major threat in the Emir’s Sword race in March.”
"Winning the Qatar International Trophy for the eighth year in a row is another huge achievement for Umm Qarn Farms. We have proved to be the best breeders in the Pure Arabians in the world. This has all been possible due to the support from HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani. It is under his guidance that top class breeding is taking place in Qatar. Our horses have won all over the world and made Umm Qarn and Qatar proud,” Alban added. 
Zohair Moghsen saddled Qadir yet again put in a gutsy performance while annexing the local Thoroughbred Stakes in splendid fashion.
In form jockey Gerard Avranche proved his calibre with a power packed finish on the Moghsen trainee.  With Al Rayyan having stolen a march with a start to finish mission, Avranche lay unconcerned in the rear. Rounding the final bend, Al Rayyan showed no signs of weakening even as Al Naif Way and Mnif threatened only to fade out. It was Al Bidah (Adrie de Vries up) who gathered momentum and essayed a strong challenge. The driving finish of Avranche ensured a comfortable win for Qadir, whio has been unbeaten so far this season. Jassim al-Ghazali’s Battal finished on strongly to take the third place ahead of Naif Al Way.
After having failed in his previous start, Al Mostarsil bounced back to win the local Pure Arabian Handicap for horses rated 50 and above.
Now nursed back to top condition, the Mohammed Khalid trainee staved off the challenge of the opposition effectively to win with some degree of comfort. Jockey Marvin Suerland was brilliant on the saddle while steering Al Mostarsil to victory over Barq Al Naif and Mothaber who took the second and third place respectively.
Results
1st race: Perigues (Dennis Schiergen) 1, Kahail 2, Alhaweja 3, El Ameen 4. Won by: ¾, ¾, Hd. Time: 1:10.79. Trained by: Yousef Bentaher. Owned by: Sheikh Nasser bin Abdullah bin Nasser al-Thani
2nd race: Al Jeali (Rachel King) 1, Za’eem 2, Cobalto 3, Al Tibr 4. Won by: ½, 6, Nk. Time: 1:16.85. Trained by: Ibrahim al-Malki. Owned by: Saeed Ibrahim Saeed al-Malki
3rd race: Al Mostarsil (Marvin Suerland) 1, Barq Al Naif 2, Mothaber 3, Adaaj  4. Won by: Nk, 1 ¾, 1. Time: 1:17.31. Trained by: Mohammed Khalid. Owned by: Sultan Ahmed al-Jaber
4th race: Omaier (David Bouland) 1, Dherwah 2, Keheilan 3, Agshar 4. Won by: ¾, 2 ½, ½. Time: 2:08.49.  Trained by: Alban de Mieulle. Owned by: Umm Qarn Farms
5th race: Qadir (Gerard Avranche) 1, Al Bidah 2, Battal 3, Al Naif Way 4. Won by: Time: Trained by: Zohair Moghsen. Owned by: Hussain Ali Bukanan
6th race: Raqiyah (Oliver Peslier) 1, Areej 2, Aziz 3, Tameemah 4. Won by: ½, ½, Nk. Time: 1:40.82. Trained by: Alban de Mieulle. Owned by: Umm Qarn Farms
7th race: Joshua Tree (Adrie de Vries) 1, Amico Mio 2, Beethoven 3, Classic Oasis 4. Won by: 2 ½, ½, Shd. Time: 2:25.92. Trained by: Ibrahim al-Malki. Owned by: Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa al-Attiya