DOHA: Jassim Al Ghazali-trained Roman Legend was the talk of the town yesterday as the three-year-old stormed to a spectacular Qatar Derby win at Qatar Racing and Equestrian (QREC) Club.
Ridden by Gerald Avranche, Roman Legend edged Debbie Mountain-trained Ponfeigh - who had Gary Carter in the saddle - to claim the top prize of QR855,000.
Rosso Corsa - ridden Pier Convertino - finished the 2000m race in third place, some three lengths behind Roman Legend.
Minutes earlier, Abhar battled all the way for the win when the Julian Smart-trained four-year-old ride clinched the issue in the Qatar Pure Arabian Derby.
Ridden by Alberto Sanna, Abhar won with a time of 2:14.04 for the top prize of QR456,000.
B Doyle guided Al Majh’Hoor to second spot while Lucky Sand - who had Marco Monteriso in the saddle - finished in third spot.
In the Qatar Local Bred Pure Arabian Derby, Majeed galloped to win while Masnoon - trained by Al Ghazali - finished second.
Taraf, ridden by Doyle, finished third. Owners Umm Qarn picked up the top prize of QR285,000.
Earlier, popular British jockey Bentley combined with trained Al Ghazali to seal three wins including clinching the honours in the Doha Oaks.
Bentley won the 1600m race astride Al Fakhamah with a time of 1:45.26.
AJS Intifadah - ridden by T O’Shea - was second while Naamah finished third.
For the ownership Seail bin Khalifa Al Kuwari, the prize was worth QR 171,000.
Races will continue at QREC on January 7 when riders contest for honours in the Al Karana Cup.
The Peninsula
