Al Zwair's connections celebrate with the trophy after winning the Athbah Cup title at Al Uqda Racecourse yesterday. Pics: Juhaim/QREC
Doha, Qatar: Al Shaqab Racing-bred and owned Al Zwair paired up with jockey Olivier d’Andigne to clinch a dominant three-length victory, sealing the Athbah Cup title at Al Uqda Racecourse yesterday.
The Jean de Mieulle-trained fended off a challenge from Khalil Du Croate, comfortably winning the 1400m Purebred Arabian Premium Maiden race in the end.
Ridden by Muanis Al Siyabi, Khalil Du Croate finished the feature in second place, two lengths clear off Al Kazim, who was under Tomas Lukasek.
Olivier d’Andigne guides Al Zwair towards the finish line to win the Athbah Cup title.
Earlier, trainer De Mieulle and jockey Olivier notched up their first victory at Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club’s 10th Al Uqda Meeting when Bint Alarab stormed to win in the 2100m Purebred Arabian Handicap.
Meanwhile, Hamad Al Jehani-trained Al Mundher with Stephane Ladjadj in the saddle was the winner of yesterday’s penultimate contest – the 1200m Thoroughbred Handicap – after a length victory over Desert Games. The win completed a quick double for Al Jehani as Mr Saturday had excelled in the 1400m Thoroughbred Handicap, registering a convincing victory under Lukasek.
Also yesterday, the 1400m Thoroughbred Handicap race witnessed exciting battle with MHK Al Attiyah-trained Red Storm grabbing the title after edging De Bruyne by a neck under jockey Mohammed Tabti.
Earlier, jockey Soufiane Saadi grabbed the spotlight securing back-to-back victories in the first two contests of the seven-race meet.
First, he teamed up with Alban de Mieulle-trained Khisah Bu Thaila to win the 1200m Local Thoroughbred Maiden Plate by three and a half lengths, before guiding Rudy Nerbonne-trained Mastoora to a huge six-length triumph in the 1400m Local Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate.
