The Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) organised the 45th race meeting in the 2021-22 season, Loyalty Cup day, at the Al Rayyan Racecourse turf track on Thursday, 31 March. The Al Britha Cup for 3YO Local Purebred Arabians headlined the nine race card and it was the Al Jeryan Stud’s homebred AJS BAROOD (QA) (Highland Reel x Celtic Filly) who took the 1600m contest in impressive style for trainer M.H.K Al Attiyah by four lengths under Szczepan Mazur. The third place went to the winning owner and the winning trainer as well with AJS SAFWAN (QA) (Battle of Marengo) under JP Guillambert finishing further four and a quarter lengths behind.
QREC Racing Manager, Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi, presented the trophies to the winners after the final race of the day.
TEMBEL DE PINE
In the penultimate race, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mishal Bin Hamad Al Thani’s TEMBEL DE PINE (IT) (AF AlBahar x Razza Di Gallura) made it a remarkable fourth win in a row for trainer Mohammed Ghazali and jockey Marco Casamento as he won the 1200m Handicap (0-100) for 4YO+ Purebred Arabians in fine style by a length. It was a double on the day for the winning trainer, who saddled the winner of the second race as well.
FAKIR DU POUY
In the seventh race, the first-two home in the 1850m Handicap (0-95) for 4YO+ Purebred Arabians were in Noora Racing Limited’s colours and it was the Mohamed Khaled Elahmed-trained FAKIR DU POUY (FR) (Dormane x Kamana) who narrowly came out on top for jockey Qais Al Busaidi by a short head in front of the Alban de Mieulle-trained QUEPOS (FR) (Al Tair), who was ridden by Soufiane Saadi.
QATARI GOLD
In the sixth race, Al Wasmiyah Farm’s QATARI GOLD (USA) (Lemon Drop Kid x Forest Valentine) took the Handicap (0-95) for 3YO+ Thoroughbred in good style. The Georges Mikhalides-saddled 9YO won the 1600m race by one and a half lengths with Soufiane Saadi in the saddle.
HAPAP
In the fifth race, Nasser Saeed Al Eida’s HAPAP (IRE) (Dark Angel x Apphia) completed a double, winning the 1600m Handicap (0-80) for 3YO Thoroughbreds by three quarters of a length. The Gassim Ghazali-trained colt was again ridden to success by Meteb Ali Al Saaq.
ZAMAN
In the fourth race, the 1600m Novice Plate for 4YO+ Local Purebred Arabians saw trainer Rudy Nerbonne and jockey Lukas Delozier team up with Al Shahania Stud’s homebred ZAMAN (QA) (Aziz ASF x Mansourah ASF) to good effect, winning by three quarters of a length.
MUBADIR
In the third race, Injaaz Stud’s MUBADIR (QA) (Majd Al Arab x Al Mubdiaa) broke his duck on his 10th start. Eduardo Pedroza partnered the Jihad El Ahmad-trained 5YO to a two and a half length win in the 2000m Maiden for 4-6YO Purebred Arabians.
HERCULE
In the second race, Nasser Essa Al Kuwari’s HERCULE (QA) (Trade Storm x Mixigreen) put his experience to good use as he got off the mark at the sixth attempt in the 1600m Maiden for 4-6YO Local Thoroughbreds, following five placed finishes. The Mohammed Ghazali-trained 4YO colt quickened up smartly in the closing stages to win by one and a quarter lengths in the hands of Faleh Bughanaim.
ROWAAH ZAKHIR
The opener of the day saw Zakhir Stud’s ROWAAH ZAKHIR (QA) (Ain Jalout x Al Etlalah) make a winning debut for trainer Mohammed Salama Ashour. Under Ronan Thomas, the filly took the 1200m Maiden for 3YO Purebred Arabians by a quarter of a length.
Source: Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club