Raqiyah (Oliver Peslier astride) and Al Tair (David Bouland up) battle it out in the Doha Cup at the Deauville race course in France today. The two Qatari challengers deadheated for the first place

Sports Reporter/DohaIn a thrilling finish to the Euros 50,000 Doha Cup (Group I race for Pure Arabian horses), Alban de Mieulle trained Raqiyah and Al Tair were declared joint winners with a dead heat verdict at Deauville, France, on Friday.Such was the dominance of Qatari challengers that the top three places were bagged by Umm Qarn Farms, while Al Shahania Stud’s Aziz finished a noteworthy fifthThough making his first appearance on the European race track, Al Tair (David Bouland up) put in a dazzling display to dead heat with his stable mate Raqiyah (Oliver Peslier up), while Raihan took the third place. Trainer Mieulle was elated with the performance of his wrads and especially Al Tair’s maiden attempt on the European circuit. “It was great to see Umm Qarn Farm horses take the top three places. It was a thrilling contest and I am very impressed with Al Tair for producing such a run in his first European outing. Al Tair will need another run before he is fit and ready for the prestigious Qatar Arabian World Cup in October.” Both Raihan and Raqiyah had earlier won in Europe this season.Raqiyah comfortably won the President of the UAE Cup - Coupe d’Europe des Chevaux Arabes race (Group I Pure Arabians, four-year-olds and over) at Saint Cloud racecourse in Paris on June 26.Raihan had won the Group II President of the UAE Emirates Cup at Baden Baden, Germany, in the first week of June.The winners of Doha Cup will participate in the prestigious H H The Emir’s Sword race to be held in Doha next year.The Doha Cup is sponsored by Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (REC) and is part of the REC’s agreement with France Galop.