Al Ghazali Stud’s AJS Wathanan capped a double for champion trainer Jassim Mohamed Ghazali with a fine win in the Rodat Al Maida Cup, yesterday’s feature on dirt at Al Rayyan Park.
In the local Purebred Arabian Conditions event, Anas al-Seyabi was astride the eight-year-old in the 1700m run, and they beat Umm Qarn’s Sealine at the post by a little more than two lengths. Alban de Mieulle’s ward finished runner-up for the second straight outing.
Qatari riders Saleh Salem al-Marri and Meteb Ali al-Marri rode three winners in all, with the former notching a double on the day.
Saleh Salem al-Marri first guided Al Azraq Stable’s Bint Saffian to a comfortable victory in a 1100m Thoroughbred Handicap sprint with almost four lengths to spare, before handing champion trainer Ghazali his first victory over the day astride Hazm Al Sulaimi.
In the penultimate race of the day, al-Marri guided Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalid bin Nasser al-Thani’s Hazm Al Sulaimi to thrilling victory with only a nose to spare as Umm Qarn’s Barra settled for second straight runner-up finish under Ronan Thomas.
Meteb Ali al-Marri helmed Hamad Ateeq al-Marri’s Nashmi Brooq to his second straight victory in a week as the five-year-old edged out Faleh Bughanaim-ridden Forgehill Chiraz by a length-and-a-quarter, with Saleh Salem al-Marri completing a sweep of the top three spots by Qatari riders astride Said Khamis al-Mutani-saddled Fazan.
The owner-trainer-jockey trio of Sheikh Faisal bin Hamad in Jassim al-Thani, Ibrahim al-Malki and Leo Salles snapped up a double yesterday.
The connections opened the meeting with Arandas shedding his maiden status and also leading a one-two with Anas al-Seyabi riding Al Sareh to runner-up spot.
Jahfal was the second winner for the trio, topping the Local Purebred Arabian Handicap by two lengths.
Hamad Ahmed al-Malki al-Jehani-trained Zarandi held off a challenge from Jassim Mohamed Ghazali’s trio with Carlos Henrique riding the horse to his fourth victory this season, winning the Thoroughbred Handicap in a busy finish to the 1700m race.
Thomas rode a winner for Ghazali’s son, Mohamed, with Sheail bin Khalifa al-Kuwari’s Luneray picking up a comfortable four-and-a-half-length victory in a Thoroughbred Handicap event over 1800m.

RESULTS
Race 1: 1. Arandas (Leo Salles), 2. Al Sareh (Anas al-Seyabi), 3. Mater (Faleh Bughanaim), 4. Kassabah (Carlos Henrique). Won by: Nk, 5 ¾, 4. Time: 1:14.75. Owner: Sheikh Faisal bin Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani. Trainer: Ibrahim al-Malki.
Race 2: 1. Luneray (Ronan Thomas), 2. Better Than Ever (Carlos Henrique), 3. Copal (Alexander Reznikov), 4. Tafaahum (Al Moatasem al-Balushi). Won by: 4 ½, Nk, Shd. Time: 1:55.79. Owner: Sheail bin Khalifa al-Kuwari. Trainer: Mohamed Jassim Ghazali.
Race 3: 1. Bint Saffian (Saleh Salem al-Marri), 2. Royal Court (Leo Salles), 3. High Horse (Carlos Henrique), 4. Southernmachoman (Ronan Thomas). Won by: 3 ¾, 2, Hd. Time: 1:04.45. Owner: Al Azraq Stable. Trainer: Bader al-Balushi.
Race 4: 1. Nashmi Brooq (Meteb Ali al-Marri), 2. Forgehill Chiraz (Faleh Bughanaim), 3. Fazan (Saleh Salem al-Marri), 4. Ghazi Al Jeryan (Tomas Lukasek). Won by: 1 ¼, Nk, ¾. Time: 1:20.10. Owner: Brooq Stud. Trainer: Hamad Ateeq al-Marri.
Race 5: 1. Jahfal (Leo Salles), 2. Texas (Soufiane Saadi), 3. Noor Al Meydan (Faleh Bughanaim), 4. Fanann (Meteb Ali al-Marri). Won by: 2, 8 ½, 2 ¼. Time: 1:59.60. Owner: Sheikh Faisal bin Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani. Trainer: Ibrahim al-Malki.
Race 6: 1. Zarandi (Carlos Henrique), 2. High Commander (Soufiane Saadi), 2. Yaarmen (Tomas Lukasek), 4. Shakour (Rashid Ali al-Marri). Won by: ¾, Dh, 3 ¼. Time: 1:48.29. Owner: Saeed Nasser al-Qadi. Trainer: Hamad Ahmed al-Malki al-Jehani.
Race 7: 1. Hazm Al Sulaimi (Saleh Salem al-Marri), 2. Barra (Ronan Thomas), 3. Baker De Saularie (Faleh Bughanaim), 4. Caid De L’Ardus (Tomas Lukasek). Won by: No, ½, 1 ¼. Time: 1:18.15. Owner: Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalid bin Nasser al-Thani. Trainer: Jassim Mohamed Ghazali.
Race 8: 1. AJS Wathanan (Anas al-Seyabi), 2. Sealine (Ronan Thomas), 3. Saa’d (Al Moatasem al-Balushi), 4. Al Junood (Luca Maniezzi). Won by: 2 ¼, ¾, 3 ¼. Time: 1:59.02. Owner: Al Ghazali Stud. Trainer: Jassim Mohamed Ghazali.