Qatari jockey al-Yaefei wins Al Rayyan Cup in South Africa

Qatari jockey Abdulla Saleh al-Yaefei steered Tropical’s Son to land the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC)-sponsored Al Rayyan Cup in Scottsville, South Africa, on Sunday. The 1,200m handicap race was reserved for thoroughbreds and Qatari apprentice jockeys.Qatar’s ambassador to South Africa, Abdulla Hussein al-Jaber, attended the race and presented the trophies to the winners, in presence of Abdulrahman Mohamed al-Naama, QREC head of Riding and Training Section, and Ali Mohamed al-Saaq, supervisor of the training of Qatari jockeys in South Africa.Saddled by Paul Lafferty, the AL Williams-owned Tropical’s Son was led by al-Yaefei to victory a length ahead of the runner-up.Jockey Saleh Salem al-Marri rode JV Borg and Klawervlei Stud-owned Freddie Flint, also trained by Lafferty, to second place. Khalid Abdulaziz al-Kuwari helmed Melanie L Roberts-owned Dale House, trained by Michael Roberts, complete the frame. The Al Rayyan Cup race was run in South Africa as part of the support and development programme of youth by State of Qatar, through the Minister of Culture and Sports, and as an initiative by QREC as part of their efforts to develop Qatari jockeys to compete in the most prestigious racing events in future. “The race came at a very appropriate time during the training camp for the Qatari jockeys in South Africa,” ambassador al-Jaber said.“It was such a pleasure and it makes us feel proud because the citizens of Qatar are always ready under the leadership of His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.“It was wonderful to see the flag of Qatar fluttering and flying high in South Africa through this group of Qatari jockeys who have presented a brilliant image of the State of Qatar. I’m also proud of my participation in presenting the trophies to the winners after the race because the Qatari presence was distinctive and it demonstrated the value and the standing of our state worldwide whatever the circumstances might be.“There is no doubt the Management of QREC did well by holding this training camp for the Qatari jockeys in South Africa for nearly two months. I do encourage to organise such camps regularly. I also noticed that Tamim al-Majd image was there during the trophy presentation ceremony, which confirms that we, even outside the borders, are all Qatar and are all Tamim,” al-Jaber said. QREC chairman Issa bin Mohamed al-Mohannadi commended the performance of the Qatari jockeys throughout the training course and in Al Rayyan Cup race.“This training course is part of QREC’s vision and strategy to develop the Qatari talent and to focus on developing equestrian sport in general and horse racing in particular,” he said.“I’d like to congratulate jockey Abdulla Saleh al-Yaefei on winning the race and all the participating Qatari jockeys for their brilliant performance.”Eleven Qatari jockeys, aged between 15 and 22 years old, are participating in the training course in the South African Jockey Academy in KwaZulu-Natal.They are Abdulla Rashid al-Adgham, Ali Khalid al-Mosallam, Meteb Ali al-Marri, Abdulla Mubarak al-Maadeed, Saleh Salem al-Marri, Abdulla Saleh al-Yaefei, Khalid Abdulaziz al-Kuwari, Saleh Hamad al-Marri, Rashid Ali al-Marri, Mohamed Rashid al-Mosallam and Abdullah Hozam al-Marri.They started the training course and performing various training activities in early July and will continue their course until early September. Their training is overseen by senior specialised trainers in South Africa with daily direct follow up by al-Saaq.QREC general manager Nasser Sherida al-Kaabi said, “We, at QREC and in Qatar, are proud to have such young talent. They only need good preparation in a structured manner to reach the highest levels. QREC, therefore, launched the initiative to send these jockeys to acquire more experience. No doubt the positive outcome of this course will reflect in their participation in the coming racing season at QREC.”