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Al Maqam successfully defended the Baiddaa Algaa Cup at Al Rayyan Racecourse Wednesday, landing the Local Purebred Arabian Novice over 1,700m for the second consecutive year in the colours of Khalifa bin Sheail al-Kuwari. Drawn wide, the six-year-old faced an early test of patience. Jockey Pierre Charles Boudot settled him quietly at the back, allowing the race to unfold before asking for his effort. When the field turned for home, Al Maqam found another gear. Striding forward with determination, he answered every challenge, digging deep as Mared Al Zaeem launched a late bid. The finish was tight, but Al Maqam held on bravely, prevailing by a neck. Saad Ali al-Kubaisi, Deputy Director of the QREC Registration & Studbook Department, crowned the winners. Meanwhile, Purebred Arabian Show Horses featured a solid display from Nibras Al Marroona, with Salman Fahad al-Hajri steering him to a length victory. Corinth dominated the Thoroughbred Handicap (0–95) under Alberto Sanna, stretching clear to score by an emphatic 7½ lengths, while Purebred Arabian Handicap (60–80) turned into a tight contest as Lwich De Bozouls, partnered by Boudot, edged out his rivals by a short head. Thouab Al Shahania showed consistency in the Purebred Arabian Handicap (55–75) under Saleh Faraj al-Otaibi while Local Purebred Arabian Handicap (55–75) went the way of Aaneef Zakhir, with Arnaud De Lepine delivering a well-timed ride to win by a length. Ruling Master was impressive in the Thoroughbred Handicap (0–70), as Salman Fahad al-Hajri guided him to a commanding five-length victory. Local Thoroughbred Handicap (0–45) saw Malik and Soufiane Saadi assert their authority to win by two lengths. White Christmas delivered a strong performance in the Thoroughbred Maiden Plate, with Louis Nomis aboard for a convincing 2½-length win in the first contest Wednesday. RESULTS33rd Al Rayyan Race Meeting - Baiddaa Algaa CupWINNERS (Horse, Trainer, Jockey)1 - Baiddaa Algaa Cup - Local Purebred Arabian Novice Plate (Class 5)Al Maqam, Julian Smart, Pierre Charles Boudot2 - Purebred Arabian Show HorsesNibras Al Marroona, Mohammed Hassan al-Matwi, Salman Fahad al-Hajri3 - Thoroughbred Handicap (0-95), three-year-olds, 1700mCorinth, Hadi al-Ramzani,Alberto Sanna4 - Purebred Arabian Handicap (60-80)Lwich De Bozouls, Hamad al-Jehani, Pierre Charles Boudot5 - Purebred Arabian Handicap (55-75)Thouab Al Shahania, Ahmed Hassan al-Malki al-Jehani, Saleh Faraj al-Otaibi6 - Local Purebred Arabian Handicap (55-75)Aaneef Zakhir, Eng. Osama Omer al-Dafea, Arnaud De Lepine7 - Thoroughbred Handicap (0-70)Ruling Master, Jassim al-Ghazali, Salman Fahad al-Hajri8 - Local Thoroughbred Handicap (0-45)Malik, Gassim Al Ghazali, Soufiane Saadi9 - Thoroughbred Maiden Plate, four-seven-year-olds, 1200mWhite Christmas, Ahmad al-Sheeb, Louis Nomis 

Wathnan Racing’s Arman wrapped up an exciting evening at Al Rayyan Racecourse Saturday, clinching the mile contest for three-year-old+ Local Purebred Arabians by a short head to claim the Late Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani Trophy.Trained by Alban de Mieulle and ridden by James Doyle, the victory highlighted the horse’s determination in a tightly contested feature race. Minister of Sports and Youth HE Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al-Thani in the presence of Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) Vice Chairman Rashid bin Nasser Sraiya al-Kaabi, presented the trophy to Ali bin Yousef al-Kubaisi, who received it on behalf of Wathnan Racing.Earlier, in the Grade 2 Qatar National Day Trophy RB Mary Lylah produced a devastating turn of foot in the home straight. The five-year-old mare surged clear under Doyle to win by six lengths in the four-year-old+ Purebred Arabians contest. HE Sheikh Hamad presented the trophy to al-Kubaisi, representing Wathnan Racing. The victory marked a commanding performance for trainer Alban de Mieulle and secured a consecutive retention of the title, following last year’s success with Jabalah.During the nine-race meet, Simca Mille made a stylish return to Qatar by winning the QA Gr3 Al Safliya Cup, a 2350m contest for four-year-old+ Thoroughbreds. Drawn barrier 1, the six-year-old chestnut displayed composure and strength to win by 1½ lengths under Doyle, capping a quick-fire double for the connections.Doha Bu Thaila claimed the Local Thoroughbred Open Race for three-year-old+ over 2000m, holding off rivals with a decisive 1½-length victory under Soufiane Saadi.Abdulrahman bin Mansour al-Mansour, QREC Board Member, presented the Al Halul Island Cup to Ali bin Yousef al-Kubaisi on behalf of Wathnan Racing.The four-year-old bay filly preserved the winning combination that had triumphed in the same race last year with Equinoxe.Thor’s Hammer returned to winning form in the Al Busayyir Cup, a 1600m Thoroughbred Conditions contest for three-year-old+. Drawn widest, the four-year-old bay gelding tracked the leaders before producing a late surge to win by a short head, with jockey Alberto Sann completing a double for the evening. Ahmed Amanalla Al-Sheebani, QREC Deputy CEO, presented the trophy to Ali bin Hamad al-Attiyah on behalf of Al Rufaa Racing.In the Falcon Cup, veteran Taxiwala retained his title in the 3YO+ Thoroughbred Conditions sprint over 1200m. The eight-year-old kicked clear in the final 200m under Lukas Delozier to win by 1½ lengths, taking his season tally to two victories from three starts and his career total to 21 wins. Sheikh Mohammed bin Faleh al-Thani presented the trophy to Eng. Osama Omer al-Dafea, owner and trainer of Taxiwala.Other results from the day included Taftan winning the Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate (1600m) by 4¼ lengths with Pierre Charles Boudot aboard; Labwa De Carrere (FR) taking the Purebred Arabian Handicap (75-95, 1600m) by a head under Fayos Martin Borja; and Taymoor Al Shahania claiming the Purebred Arabian Conditions (1200m) by a neck with Alberto Sanna in the saddle. 

Dark Trooper confirmed his class once again, claiming the Barzan Cup (QA Gr3) for a second straight year in the same colours and under the same trainer at Al Rayyan Racecourse Thursday. The five-year-old gelding, expertly ridden by James Doyle - who piloted him to last year’s victory - was held patiently before launching a decisive late surge to win the 1600m race for 4-year-old+ Thoroughbreds by half a length. The triumph gave owner Wathnan Racing and trainer Alban de Mieulle a day double, with Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club’s Racing Manager Abdulla Rashid al-Kubaisi presenting the trophies to the winners. In the Thoroughbred Guineas (QA Gr3), Basalt confirmed his rising profile with a commanding victory, remaining unbeaten in two starts this season. The grey colt unleashed an impressive turn of foot in the home straight to draw clear and record a comfortable 2¼-length success for owner Mansoor bin Ebrahim Al-Mahmoud. The win also completed an evening double for trainer-jockey duo of Jassim al-Ghazali and Marco Casamento. **media[381407]** Sealine also continued his impressive run of form, securing a second consecutive win and his third in his last four starts with a determined victory in the Local Thoroughbred Guineas. The Al Jeryan Stud runner travelled prominently, tracking the long-time leader throughout before quickening smartly in the final metres to clinch the win by half a length for trainer M.H.K al-Attiyah and jockey Szczepan Mazur. In Purebred Arabian Guineas, Lueur De Faust made a striking Qatar debut, doubling her career tally on 5th career start with a brilliant late surge to win the title. The bay filly, owned by Khalifa bin Sheail al-Kuwari and trained by Julian Smart, came from behind with a sweeping run to overhaul her rivals and the long-time leader in the closing stages. Under Alberto Sanna, she clinched victory by 3/4 of a length. Meanwhile, Shabbab delivered a commanding performance to win the Sheraouh Island Cup for 4YO+ Purebred Arabians over 2000m. The five-year-old, representing Al Shaqab Racing and trained by Jean de Mieulle, tracked last year’s winner Dawi for much of the race before surging past from the outside in the final 300m to land the spoils impressively by three lengths under Faleh Bughenaim. RESULTS 10th Al Rayyan Race Meeting – Guineas and Barzan Cup WINNERS: (Horse, Trainer, Jockey) Barzan Cup – Thoroughbred, Dark Trooper, Alban de Mieulle, James DoyleThoroughbred Guineas, Basalt, Jassim al-Ghazali, Marco CasamentoThoroughbred Open Race, Taxiwala, Eng. Osama Omer al-Dafea, Lukas DelozierLocal Thoroughbred Guineas, Sealine, M.H.K al-Attiyah, Szczepan MazurPurebred Arabian Guineas, Lueur De Faust, Julian Smart, Alberto SannaSheraouh Island Cup, Shabbab, Jean de Mieulle, Faleh BughenaimThoroughbred Handicap, Forceful Speed, Debbie Mountain, Jefferson SmithLocal Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate, Zameer, Alban de Mieulle, Soufiane SaadiThoroughbred Maiden Plate, Silca Blue, Jassim al-Ghazali, Marco Casamento