Action during the Athbah Cup race at Al Uqda Racecourse.
Doha: Hugo Besnier teamed up with Al Ghazali Stud’s Sha’alan to clinch the Athbah Cup after winning the feature in Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club’s (QREC) 7th Al Uqda Meeting at Al Uqda Equestrian Complex, yesterday.
The five-year-old gelding claimed one-and-a-half length win over Shamlowl – ridden by Lukas Delozier - to win the 1400m race in the delayed meeting which was scheduled to be held on Saturday but was postponed due to rain.
The Purebred Arabian Premium Maiden victory completed a double for Besnier and trainer Mohammed Ghazali with five-year-old Manakel reigning supreme in 1400m Local Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate earlier yesterday.
Sha’alan's connection after the win yesterday. Pics: Juhaim/QREC
Also, Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki-trained High And Wide emerged winner after a thrilling battle in Thoroughbred Handicap 65-85 with Tomas Lukasek in the saddle.
Meanwhile, Black Granite, Jefred, Al Muheeb and Soomia also raced to wins during the meeting yesterday.
Action will return to Al Rayyan today with 27th Race Meeting scheduled at Al Rayyan Racecourse.
As many as eight races will be held with Ras Laffan Cup at stake.
7th Al Uqda Meeting Athbah Cup
(Horse, Trainer, Jockey)
Athbah Cup - Purebred Arabian Premium Maiden
Sha’alan, Mohammed Ghazali, Hugo Besnier
Thoroughbred Handicap 65-85 (Class 4)
High And Wide, Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki, Tomas Lukasek
Thoroughbred Handicap 0-75 (Class 5)
Black Granite, Khalifa Hamed Nasser Al Sawai, Saleh Salem Al-Marri
Purebred Arabian Handicap 0-75
Jefred, Hamad Al Jehani, Arnaud De Lepine*
Thoroughbred Maiden Plate (3yo only) (Class 6)
Al Muheeb, Bader Al Balushi, Soufiane Saadi
Local Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate (Fillies & Mares)
Manakel, Mohammed Ghazali, Hugo Besnier
Local Thoroughbred Maiden Plate (3yo only)
Soomia, Alban Elie De Mieulle, Ronan Thomas
