Exciting H.H. The Amir Sword Festival concludes with LADY PRINCESS and OUTBOX victories
Mohamed Saad
Under the patronage and in presence of of H.H. the Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, the H.H. The Amir Sword Festival concluded on Saturday, 19 February at QREC Al Rayyan racecourse. H.H. The Amir crowned the winners of the last four races of the eight-race card: Sheail Bin Khalifa Al Kuwari and Khalifa Bin Sheail Al Kuwari with the His Highness’s Gold and the Silver Swords, the officials of Hambleton Racing Ltd XXXIII & Partner with His Highness’s Trophy and Mohammed Bin Hamad Bin Ali Al Attiyah with His Highness’s Shalfa. H.H. The Amir also honoured the sponsors of the Festival: QNB the Title Sponsor of the Festival and Sponsor of the Silver Sword, Al Hazm the Sponsor of the Gold Sword, Longines presenter of the H.H. The Amir Trophy and Manateq Sponsor of the Shalfa. H.E. Issa Bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi, QREC Chairman, was present during the trophy presentation.
H.H. The Amir also crowned the first four placed riders in the Al Sabiq Championship, sponsored by Seashore Group, which was held as part of the events of the three-day Festival. The first place winner was Mohammed Kamaan Al Khayarin, who was partnered to the main prize by MALZOOM.
During the day, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani received the Qatar International Cup from .E. Issa Bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi, QREC Chairman, following the H.E. Sheikha Reem Bin Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani-owned SAMLLA’s victory in the cup race.
LADY PRINCESS lands Gold Sword
Khalifa Bin Sheail Al Kuwari’s LADY PRINCESS (FR) (General x Nacree Al Maury) landed the HH The Amir Sword (Gr1 PA). The Thomas Fourcy-trained superstar made it all and won the 2400m contest for 4YO+ Purebred Arabians by half a length, under Jim Crowley, adding the coveted Gold Sword to her impressive record. The HE. Sheikh Joaan Bin Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Than-owned and Alban de Mieulle-trained ABBES (FR) (TM Fred Texas) was second under Olivier Peslier. The H.E. Sheikha Reem Bint Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al-Thani-owned and Rudy Nerbonne-trained EBRAZ (GB) (Amer) was third under Maxime Guyon.
OUTBOX land the Trophy
The Hambleton Racing Ltd XXXIII & Partner-owned OUTBOX (GB) (Frankel x Emirates Queen) landed the HH The Amir Trophy (QA Gr1). Ridden by Hollie Doyle, the British raider came with a late powerful surge to take the prestigious title and the 2400m contest for 4YO+ Thoroughbreds by half a length for trainer Archie Watson. The HE. Sheikh Joaan Bin Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Than-owned and Henri-Alex Pantall-trained MUTABAHI (FR) (French Fifteen) was second under Olivier Peslier. The King Power Racing Co Ltd-owned and Andrew Balding-trained FOX TAL (GB) (Sea The Stars) finished third under David Probert.
MOSHRIF wins the Silver Sword
Khalifa Bin Sheail Al Kuwari’s MOSHRIF (FR) (Dahess x Tashreefat) won the HH The Amir Silver Sword, confirming himself as a rising superstar with four wins in a row in five career starts. Under Jim Crowley, the 4YO colt took the 1850m race for Purebred Arabians by a length and a half, recording a double on the day for trainer Francois Rohaut.
THUNDERSTONE wins the Shalfa
Al Wasmiyah Farm’s THUNDERSTONE (IRE) (Night Of Thunder x Frine) won the HH The Amir Shalfa as he prevailed a quarter of a length in the last stages of the 2000m Handicap (85 & above) for 4YO+ Thoroughbreds, under Tom Marquand for trainer Jassim Ghazali, who recorded a quick-fire double.
NUANCE wins Al Rayyan Mile
Khalifa Bin Sheail Al Kuwari’s NUANCE (GB) (Frankel x Intimation) won the G2 QA Al Rayyan Mile having prevailed by almost two lengths in the contest for 3YO Thoroughbreds, boosting his record to 4 wins in 8 starts. The Jassim Ghazali-trained colt was ridden to victory by Maxime Guyon, who was having a superb day, recording his third win in the fourth race in the card. Salem Al Naimi, Assistant General Manager, QNB Public Relations, presented the trophy to H.E. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mishal Bin Hamad Al Thani.
TAXIWALA wins Dukhan Sprint
The Osama Omer Al Dafea-owned and trained TAXIWALA (IRE) (Holy Roman Emperor x It’s True) landed another yet victory, capturing the Gr 3 QA Dukhan Sprint for 4YO+ Thoroughbreds. Under Ronan Thomas, the 5YO swept clear of his rivals by two lengths. Adam Waterworth, Managing Director of Goodwood Racecourse, presented the Cup to Al Dafea.
SAMLLA wins Qatar International Cup
H.E. Sheikha Reem Bin Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani’s SAMLLA (FR) (Assy x Djakera Des Forges) landed a Group one victory as he took the Qatar International Cup, having prevailed in the 1600m for 4YO+ Purebred Arabians by almost three lengths for French trainer Francois Rohaut and under Maxime Guyon, who recorded a quick-fire double.
BLACK PEARL wins Al Rayyan Breeders Cup
Abdulatif Hussain Al Emadi’s homebred BLACK PEARL (QA) (Footstepsinthesand x Ella) won Al Rayyan Breeders Cup. The Bader Al Balushi-trained 6YO cleared away, scoring his 10th victory, by two and a half lengths under Maxime Guyon in the day’s opener, a 2000m contest for 4YO+ Local Thoroughbreds. Hamad Bin Abdulrahman Al Attiyah presented the Cup to the Abdulatif Hussain Al Emadi.
Source: Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club