Khalifa bin Sheail al-Kuwari and Al Wasmiyah Farm topped the lists for owners in the end-of-season honours announced by Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club, even as Alban de Mieulle and Ibrahim al-Malki emerged as the leading trainers.
With QAR3.9mn in total prize money, al-Kuwari emerged as the leading overall owner. King Pacha, the Qatar Derby (QA Group 1) runner-up and His Highness The Amir Shalfa winner, and Lady Princess, Qatar Derby (Group 2 PA) topper and third place in His Highness The Amir Sword (Group 1 PA), were the two of the biggest contributors to al-Kuwari’s success this term.
Al-Kuwari’s colours entered the winner’s enclosure with Al Biddah Mile (QA Group 2) winner Devious Company and Sawda Natheel Stakes topper Unbutton too and the duo won the Best three-year-old Thoroughbred Colt and Filly titles respectively.
Al Wasmiyah Farm enjoyed huge success on the back of a five-race unbeaten run by His Highness The Amir Trophy hero Noor Al Hawa, and were the leading non-Sheikh owner for the season.
Umm Qarn trainer Alban de Mieulle returned to the top of the trainers’ sheet after a full season for the first time since 2013. The Frenchman had led the standings last season too when it was halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
This term, Qatar Gold Sword winner Tayf made the biggest contribution to De Mieulle’s success, with the nine-year-old emerging as the leading Arabian horse of the term. Two of the trainer’s wards — Sealine and Abida — are the leading local Arabian horse and mare respectively this term. Two of his other charges — Equinoxe and Al Khisah — took the titles for Best four-year-old Local Thoroughbred Colt and Filly respectively.
Al-Malki is the leading Qatari trainer for the term with 50 winners, including leading local Thoroughbred mare Al Faisaliya, a three-time winner, and sprinter X Force.
Alberto Sanna, who rode Noor Al Hawa to victory in the His Highness The Amir Trophy, took the top spot in the jockeys’ list for the first time in Qatar and by a huge margin on the competition. Faleh Bughanaim was the leading Qatari jockey yet again, as he enjoyed a spectacular victory astride Deborah Mountain-trained Seeyoubyme in the Qatar Gold Trophy (QA Group 1) early last month. Saleh Salem al-Marri impressed many in the season with 20 winners and is the leading Qatari apprentice rider.
Her scintillating victory in His Highness The Amir Sword (Group 1 PA), the grand USD 1mn finale of the three-day flagship racing weekend in Qatar, meant that HE Sheikha Yasmeen bint Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani’s Mon’nia, saddled by Julian Smart, was the leading Arabian mare of the season. The big win was the trainer’s ninth win in the event.
Mohamed bin Hamad Khalifa al-Attiyah’s Sir Monlau, winner of the Qatar Silver Sword last month, was the Best four-year-old Arabian Colt, while His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani’s two-time winner Divine Princess finished as the Best four-year-old Arabian Filly.
The Best four-year-old Local Arabian Colt and Filly titles were taken by HE Sheikha Iman bint Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani’s Saad and Al Jeryan Stud’s AJS Berline respectively.
Al Azraq Stable’s sprint star Bint Saffian is the leading Thoroughbred mare.
The four-year-old Thoroughbred colt and filly prizes were won by Injaaz Stud’s Hellenistique, the winner of the Qatar Derby (QA Group 1), and Hassan Ali al-Abdulmalik’s Qatar Oaks (QA Group 3) runner-up She’s Our Queen.
Al Jeryan Stud’s Al Rayyan Breeders Cup hero Al Lusail finished as the leading local Thoroughbred horse.