Mohamed Saad

HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and HE Sheikh Al Qaqa bin Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani received the Qatar Gold Sword and Qatar Gold Trophy from HE Issa bin Mohammed Al-Mohannadi, QREC Chairman following the prestigious victories of Wathnan Racing’s horses in the feature races of the race meeting conducted on turf at QREC Al Rayyan Racecourse on Thursday, 4th April 2024. It was a day to remember for Wathnan Racing, trainer Alban de Mieulle and jockey James Doyle, who took four of the day’s eight races. During the trophy presentation ceremony, HE Issa bin Mohammed Al-Mohannadi, QREC Chairman, crowned the winning riders of the Al Sabiq Championship. They are in order Mohammed Fahad Al Khayareen Al Hajri, Abdulaziz Ahmed Al Ojaan Al Khayareen, Salem Salem Al Marri and Rashid Mohammed Ali Abdulla.

Abbes wins Qatar Gold Sword for 3rd time in a row

Abbes (FR) (TM Fred Texas x Raqiyah) landed the Gr1 PA Qatar Gold Sword for the third year in a row, signing off a superb day for Wathnan Racing, Alban de Mieulle and James Doyle as the 7YO added their fourth victory on the day. Doyle waited until the final 200m of the 2000m race for 4YO+ Purebred Arabians to unleash Abbes’s turn of foot and win by three quarters of a length. The HE Sheikha Iman bint Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Thani-owned and Rudy Nerbonne-trained Dawi (FR) (Amer) finished second under jockey Tomas Lukasek. The H.E. Sheikha Reem bint Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Thani-owned and Rudy Nerbonne-trained Methgal (FR) (TM Fred Texas) finished further two lengths and three quarters behind in third under jockey Maxime Guyon.

Bolthole wins Qatar Gold Trophy

Bolthole (IRE) (Free Eagle x Weekend Getaway) landed the QA Gr1 Qatar Gold Trophy giving owner Wathnan Racing, trainer Alban de Mieulle and jockey James Doyle their third winner in the evening. The 5YO horse settled in mid-position throughout the 2200m race for 4YO+ Thoroughbreds and once in the straight, he showed an amazing turn of foot and came with a powerful charge from outside to overtake the leaders and win by over two lengths. The second place was also in the colours of Wathnan Racing with the Hamad Al-Jehani-trained Haunted Dream (IRE) (Oasis Dream) taking the minor honours under jockey Theo Bachelot. The Khalifa Bin Sheail KH J Al Kuwari-owned and Julian Smart-trained King Pacha (IRE) (Acclamation) finished a further half a length behind in third under jockey Alberto Sanna.

Lafan wins Purebred Arabian Premium Maiden Cup

Al Shaqab Racing’s homebred Lafan (FR) (Al Mamun Monlau X Al Ghashamiyah) began the meeting, getting off the mark at fourth time of asking, as he won the Purebred Arabian Premium Maiden Cup, having prevailed in the 1600m contest for 4YOs by three quarters of a length for trainer Jean de Mieulle and jockey Valentin Seguy. Abdulaziz Jassim Al Boenain, Al Uqda Complex Manager, crowned the winners

Equinoxe wins Local Thoroughbred Cup for 4th straight year

Wathnan Racing’s Equinoxe (QA) (Atlantic Air x Thurayya) once again showed his class, winning the Local Thoroughbred Cup for the fourth straight year. The Alban de Mieulle-trained 7YO star came with a sweep in the home straight to take the 1850m race for 4YO+ in impressive fashion by three and a half lengths, exactly as he did last year, under jockey James Doyle. Ahmad bin Mohammed Alabdulmalik, QREC Board Member, crowned the winners

Taxiwala retains Sealine Sprint Trophy for 4th year in a row

The Osama Omer Al Dafea-owned and trained Taxiwala (IRE) (Holy Roman Emperor x It's True) impressed as he retained the Sealine Sprint Trophy for the fourth time in a row. As ever, the 7YO proved the fastest in the 1200m open race for 4YO+ Thoroughbreds. Under jockey Maxime Guyon, the bay gelding prevailed by a length and a half. Khalid bin Safar Al-Hajri crowned the winners.

Aafoor takes Al Wajba Trophy

Al Jeryan Stud’s Aafoor (USA) (Qurbaan x Filfila) got off the mark with a valuable victory, winning the Al Wajba Trophy. The chestnut colt has been knocking on the door, finishing placed in all his previous five starts. In the 1850m contest for 3YO Thoroughbreds, he managed to land the spoils for trainer M.H.K Al Attiyah and jockey Szczepan Mazur, having edged Greer (IRE) (Night Of Thunder) by a short head. The gallant runner-up is owned by Nasser Saif A R Al-Kubaisi and trained by Mohammed Ghazali and was ridden by Jefferson Smith. Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi, QREC Racing Manager, presented the trophies to the winners.

Bakir wins Qatar Silver Trophy

Wathnan Racing’s Bakir (QA) (Amer x Zabieh) bounced back to winning ways, taking the Qatar Silver Trophy. Trainer Alban de Mieulle and jockey James Doyle had their second winner on the day as they teamed up to good effect with the 8YO, who won the 1600m race for 4YO+ Local Purebred Arabians by a length ahead of his nearest rival. Sheail bin Khalifa Al Kuwari crowned the winners.

AJS Lattam retains Qatar Silver Sword for Al Jeryan Stud

AJS Lattam (QA) (AF AlBahar x Saheel ASF) retained the Qatar Silver Sword for Al Jeryan Stud for the second straight year. Trainer M.H.K Al Attiyah and jockey Szczepan Mazur were back in the Winner’s Enclosure for the second time in the evening, as the black colt recorded a pillar-to-post victory and held on gamely to win the 1850m race for 4YO Purebred Arabians by half a length. Ahmed Salem Al Ali, Director of Programs, of the Social & Sport Contribution Fund (Daam), crowned the winners.