By Chris Hoover/Doha
HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani applauds as Sheikh Khalifa bin Mohammed bin Khalifa al-Thani holds aloft the Emir’s Sword at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday. Al Shahania Stud’s Aziz had won the QR two million event at the New Rayan race track
HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al-Thani owned Aziz was destined to win the QR two million Group I HH The Emir’s Sword. Last year, the Amer progeny had the form and credentials to win the Qatar Arabian World Cup in Paris, but finished second to stable mate Areej. However lady luck, which had deserted the talented one-eyed wonder, finally smiled on the Julian Smart trainee in the form of a win in a biggest race of the season at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday.
Such was the dominance of Al Shahania Stud, that they took the top four places in the most prestigious race in Qatar’s racing calendar.
“It is unbelievable to take the top four places in a race such as this. To win the Emir’s Sword for two years in a row is simply sensational. This has all been possible because of the team work,” trainer Julian Smart told the Gulf Times.
Smart was all praise for Aziz. “Aziz is a super star. There was a time when his racing career was in doubt because he had only one eye and look at the way he has established himself. For me, Aziz is still very young and he is only going to get better. We always knew that he had it in him when he finished second in the Qatar Arabian World Cup. He was unlucky then and even during this season. That was the true Aziz today. I am so happy for him.”
HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani presents the Emir’s Trophy to Sheikh Hamad bin Mishal bin Hamad al-Thani
Al Shahania Stud general manager Abdulrahman al-Mansoor disclosed that Aziz would take part in the Kahalya Classic in Dubai. “To win the Emir’s Sword for the past two years has been great. Especially this year we took the first four places. I am more than happy and this is due to the brilliant team work we have at Al Shahania Stud. If we get the chance, Aziz will definitely go to Dubai for the Kahalya Classic and hopefully to Paris later this year.”
The in-form jockey Darren Williams who won the Qatar International Trophy on Julian Smart ward Harran on Wednesday, did it again in style yesterday by winning two of the three classics. Williams who rode Aziz to victory had earlier piloted Al Mujahaz to an emphatic win in HH the Emir’s Trophy.
“It has been an amazing season for me. It has been getting better and obviously this is the climax to win the Emir’s Sword. Three international races in two days, one cannot ask for more,” an elated Williams said.
George Mikhalides trained Al Mujahaz (Willams astride) proved too good for the opposition in the QR one million Group I HH The Emir’s Trophy for local bred Pure Arabians, with a comprehensive victory.
After stable mate Al Ejtiyah set the pace and weakened well before the final turn, Al Mujahaz who was running a handy third, gradually worked his way to the front and sped away from the opposition on turning for home. Nasir Al Naif came from behind to finish second ahead of Dahash. Al Mujahaz who won as he pleased, can prove a handful if campaigned in the Kahalya Classic in Dubai later this month. He certainly looks to be one of the best local bred Pure Arabians in Qatar.
“He is a super horse and he is one of the best local breds I have ever ridden. He has been beaten three times this year and every single time, it was my fault. Hopefully now Al Mujahaz will go into the Kahalya Classic and win there,” jockey Williams said.
Jockey Darren Williams rides Al Mujahaz to victory in the HH the Emir Trophy for local bred Pure Arabians
“Al Mujahaz had a bad race the last time where he finished second to Raihan in the Heir Apparent race. He had to come wide and cover a lot of ground. But today Al Mujahaz had a perfect race and won very well. Winning a race of this stature makes one feel he is in heaven,” trainer Mikhalides said.
“We have entered Al Mujahaz to race in the Kahalya Classic but will have to wait for the invitation to race there. Hopefully, we get a chance and we are looking ahead to the classic in Dubai.”
Alban de Mieulle saddled Lancelot bounced back to winning ways in spectacular fashion, thrashing a field which had four individual classic winners in the fray, en route to lifting the QR 1.5 million HH the Emir’s Trophy for Thoroughbreds.
Lancelot showed what he is capable of when he is at his best by the ease with which he beat the opposition pointless and the amazing quality of the win was the manner in which he stretched away in the final furlong to win the 2,400 metres contest in two minutes 25.04 seconds. Champion saddle artist Olivier Peslier rode a perfect race on the winner.
“Lancelot has come back very well and won this prestigious trophy once again. He has proved that he is the best Thoroughbed here in Qatar. Oliver rode a perfect race and was up with the pace and when he asked for an effort, Lancelot was simply amazing,” trainer Mieulle explained.
“It was very important to win this race as we have already have won many Pure Arabian classics. We should now hope to win a Group I race at Longchamp. This is very much possible as the quality of Thoroughbred racing has improved vastly.”
Lancelot is likely to race in Singapore in April and Mieulle was confident that the Emir Trophy winner had a good chance there. “I will discuss with Sheikh Abdullah about his participation in Singapore as I feel Lancelot will enjoy the track there and the pace of the race as well.”

Al Shahania Stud general manager Abdulrahman al-Mansoor (right) leads in Aziz (Darren Williams up) after winning HH the Emir’s Sword yesterday

Jockey Peslier who was given a free hand to ride the race with his own tactics was quite pleased with Lancelot’s emphatic victory. “The trainer gave me a free hand and asked me do whatever I felt was right. Lancelot was quite amazing in the race. He was up with the pace and when I asked him for an effort, his response was immediate and he won very well. I am very pleased to win this race for Umm Qarn as well as its trainer Mieulle.”
In the day’s other action, jockey Gerard Avranche’s power packed finish enabled Jassim al-Ghazali schooled Ladyanne to rally brilliantly along the rails to pip Al Madina at the post in the Thoroughbred Stakes for Fillies and Mares.
Results: 1st race: Zahi (Jessica Marcialis) 1, Al Saad 2, Asad Al Shajaa 3, Raed 4. Won by: Nk, 5, 1 ½. Time: 1:19.25. Trained by: Hameed Sahool. Owned by: Injaaz Stud
2nd race: Hareq (Alan Munro) 1, Al Jeali 2, Colbranic 3, Shael De Faust 4. Won by: 3 ½, 1, Hd. Time: 1:31.20. Trained by: Julian Smart. Owned by: Al Shahania Stud
3rd race: Dajen (Razali Zawari) 1, Noor’s Goldway 2, Zakon 3, Rain Forest 4. Won by: ½, ½, Hd. Time: 1:53.32. Trained by: George Mikhalides. Owned by: Sheikha Rowdha bint Mishal bin Hamad al-Thani 
4th race: Ladyanne (Gerard Avranche) 1, Al Madina 2, Abeer 3, Flying Lady 4. Won by: Shd, ½, Nk. Time: 1:33.99. Trained by: Jassim al-Ghazali. Owned by: Mohammed Abdulaziz al-Badi
5th race: Al Mujahaz (Darren Williams) 1, Nasir Al Naif 2, Dahash 3, Thumal Al Naif 4. Won by: 4, 3, ½.  Time: 2:41.47. Trained by: George Mikhalides. Owned by: Sheikh Hamad bin Mishal bin Hamad al-Thani
6th race: Lancelot (Olivier Peslier) 1, Dubawi King 2, Amico Mio 3, Beethoven 4. Won by: 3 ½, Hd, 1 ½. Time: 2:25.04. Trained by: Alban de Mieulle. Owned by: Umm Qarn
7th race: Aziz (Darren Williams) 1, Asraa Min Albarq 2, Jaafer 3, Mu’Azzaz 4. Won by: ¾, Nk, Hd. Time: 2:40.59. Trained by: Julian Smart. Owned by: HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al-Thani.