H E Sheikh Thani bin Hamad Al Thani presented the Qatar Gold Sword to Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi, who was representing Umm Qarn, owner of Abbes.
Umm Qarn’s Abbes stole limelight in the Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club’s (QREC) 47th Race Meeting, clinching the Qatar Gold Sword in a thrilling fashion at the Al Rayyan Racecourse yesterday.
Guided by Ronan Thomas, the five-year-old faced tough fight from Mwarid, helmed by Soufiane Saadi, but he picked up pace in the final moments to register a head win in Purebred Arabians (2,000m) race – yesterday’s feature that carried a total prize purse of $250,000.
H E Sheikh Thani bin Hamad Al Thani crowned the winners of the Qatar Gold Sword, who pocketed $142,500 after their triumph. Abbes’ victory was fourth of the day for trainer Alban Elie De Mieulle and third for Thomas.
Meanwhile, In The Night – owned and trained by Ibrahim Al Malki – showcased glorious form to win the Gr1 Qatar Gold Trophy (2,200m), with Tomas Lukasek in the saddle.
It was a 1-2 for Al Malki who also trained the runner-up Fierospeed, which was ridden by Faleh Bughanaim.
H E Sheikh Thani also presented the trophies to winners of the Qatar Gold Trophy.
Also last night, Mohammed bin Fahad Al Attiya-owned Sahab landed the Qatar Silver Sword after a dominating show in Purebred Arabians (4yo only), giving jockey Saadi a quick-fire double.
After winning the contest by two lengths, the four-year-old also sealed a hat-trick of victories for trainer De Mieulle. QREC Chairman Issa bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi crowned the winners.
Earlier, Umm Qarn retained the Qatar Silver Trophy, with Saadi guiding Abida to victory in the 1600m Local Purebred Arabian race.
With the win, the six-year-old mare recorded a double for Umm Qarn and trainer De Mieulle. Abdulaziz Jassim Al Boenain, Al Uqda Complex Dept. Manager, presented the trophies to the winners.
The Al Wajba Trophy went to Al Wasmiyah Farm’s Scherzo as Georges Mikhalides’s trainee fought back to win the Thoroughbreds (3YOs/1,850m).
It was second victory of the day for jockey Alberto Sanna, who also rode Rudy Andre Nerbonne-trained A’lia to Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate triumph – yesterday’s first contest.
Meanwhile, Osama Omer Al Dafea-owned & trained Taxiwala also notched up a victory yesterday, clinching the Sealine Sprint Trophy (1,200m) with Thomas in the saddle for his second win of the day after guiding Umm Qarn’s homebred Equinoxe – trained by De Mieulle – to Local Thoroughbred Open Cup (1,850m) victory.
