Al Mujahaz claims Qatar National Day Trophy

Sports Reporter/Doha

George Mikhalides trained Al Mujahaz won the Qatar National Day Trophy (Group 2 Pure Arabians) during the 17th race meeting at Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (REC) on December 13, Thursday.

The QR 400,000 worth main event saw Al Mujahaz surge to two-and-half-length success over a distance of 2,000 metres. The five-year-old horse completed the victorious run in two minutes and 15.50 seconds.

Jockey Sylvain Ruis rode Al Mujahaz to victory. There were 11 horses in the fray and Dahash took the second spot while Jusoor was third.

The Late Sheikh Jassim Bin Mohammed Al Thani Cup (Group 2 Local Bred Pure Arabians) was the other highlight of the seven-race day and it was won by Umm Qarn owned Fouladh.

With this victory, Fouladh extended the winning run to four races this season. The Alban de Mieulle trainee has been magnificent since the start of the season and that continued.

The QR 300,000 prize money contest over 2,000 metres saw David Bouland piloting Fouladh to one-and-half-length victory. It was one-two finish for Umm Qarn and De Mieulle as Raihan came behind the winner. Jarrah was third in the seven-horse field.

This win from Fouladh ensured a back-to-back double for Umm Qarn, De Mieulle and Bouland. In the previous race, the same combination struck success with Baaria.

Baaria too registered fourth straight win this season on way to capturing Local Thoroughbred Stakes (F&M) over 1,500 metres.

The trainer-jockey combination of Jassim Al Ghazali and Gerald Avranche too won two successive races with Miqdad and Emperor Vespasian.

The day began with Miqdad taking the Local Bred Pure Arabian Maiden Plate while Emperor Vespasian pocketed Thoroughbred Maiden Plate.

In the Local Thoroughbred Handicap race for horses rated 50 and below, Thunder Bullet won. Darren Williams rode the winner.

Ibrahim al-Malki schooled Mefraas (Gary Carter astride) won the Thoroughbred Handicap race for horses rated 75 to 95.

Qatar Olympic Committee Secretary General HE Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani and QREC