Al Ghadeer dazzles again, retains H H The Amir Sword and Doha Triple Crown

Doha, Qatar: Al Shaqab Racing’s Al Ghadeer has cemented his place among the all-time greats.

The Francois Rohaut-trained bay dazzled at Al Uqda Racecourse with a stunning performance, clinching the prestigious H H The Amir Sword once again and completing back-to-back triumphs in the Doha Triple Crown. His remarkable feat saw him successfully defend the Qatar International Stakes (Qatar Goodwood Festival) and the Qatar Arabian World Cup (Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe) titles earlier this year.

Under the expert guidance of Christophe Soumillon, the six-year-old executed a perfectly timed charge in the 2300m Purebred Arabians (Gr1-PA) race. Keeping a measured pace behind the frontrunners for most of the contest, he unleashed a blistering sprint in the final strides to secure victory by a length and a half.

Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani presented the coveted Sword and the Doha Triple Crown to H E Sheikh Hamad bin Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, representing Al Shaqab Racing.

Jockey Jim Crowley rides Bianca De Ghazal towards the finish line to win the H H The Amir Silver Sword.

Seven races took place at Al Uqda Racecourse after being relocated from Al Rayyan Racecourse, bringing the curtains down on yet another successful edition of the $10m H H The Amir Sword Festival 2025, which featured a total of 26 high-profile races.

The other highlight of the concluding day – the H H The Amir Trophy (QA-Gr1) – delivered yet another exhilarating contest among top contenders. In a commanding display, Godolphin’s Rebel’s Romance defended his title in style, surging to a one-length victory in the 2300m battle.

QREC Chairman Issa bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi crowned the winners of the Qatar International Cup.

The seven-year-old gelding’s triumph completed a remarkable double for trainer Charlie Appleby and jockey William Buick, who had earlier celebrated success when Al Qudra clinched the Al Rayyan Mile title in the Thoroughbreds (QA-Gr2) race.

Meanwhile, Bianca De Ghazal, owned by Nasser Abdulla A A Al Mesned, shone in the H H The Amir Silver Sword for four-year-old Purebred Arabians. Ridden by Jim Crowley, the Xavier-Thomas Demeaulte-trained filly delivered a commanding performance, storming to a one-length victory in the 2100m race. The win marked her second consecutive triumph in just her third career start.

Pierre Charles Boudot and Aafoor on their way to win the H H The Amir Shalfa. 

The H H The Amir Shalfa title was won by Al Jeryan Stud-owned Aafoor after a stellar performance in the Thoroughbred Open Handicap race. Under the composed guidance of Pierre Charles Boudot, the four-year-old colt settled comfortably before producing a striking burst of speed in the final stretch, securing a one-length triumph in the 2100m contest for trainer M H K Al Attiyah.  

QREC Board Member Khalifa bin Mohammed Al Attiyah presented trophies to the winners of the Al Rayyan Mile.

H H the Amir also honoured the winners of H H The Amir Trophy, H H The Amir Silver Sword and H H The Amir Shalfa.

Earlier, Wathnan Racing’s Rogue Lightning made a flying Qatar debut, winning the QA Gr3 Dukhan Sprint for Thoroughbreds. With Mickael Barzalona in the saddle, the Tom Clover-trained gelding showed his class in the final 200m of the 1200m race to register a one-length victory in a closely-contested battle.     

The day also started with a title for Al Shaqab Racing as Al Wakrah under Olivier d’Andigne reined supreme in the Gr1 PA Qatar International Cup, storming to a length win for trainer Jean de Mieulle.

Jockey William Buick and Rebel’s Romance's connections celebrate after winning the H H The Amir Trophy.

The first race of the meeting was held at Al Rayyan Racecourse on Saturday with General Panic, owned by Mohammed Abdulhadi S Al Hajri, dominating in the QA Gr2 Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cup.

The Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki-trained posted a two and a quarter-length victory in the 1600m race with Tomas Lukasek in the saddle.  

26th Al Rayyan Race Meeting
H H The Amir Sword and Trophy
WINNERS: (Horse, Trainer, Jockey)

H H The Amir Sword, Purebred Arabians (Gr1-PA)
Al Ghadeer, Francois Rohaut, Christophe Soumillon 

H H The Amir Trophy, Thoroughbreds (QA-Gr1)
Rebel’s Romance, Charlie Appleby, William Buick 

H H The Amir Silver Sword, Purebred Arabians
Bianca De Ghazal, Xavier-Thomas Demeaulte, Jim Crowley 

H H The Amir Shalfa, Thoroughbred Open Handicap  Aafoor, M H K Al Attiyah, Pierre Charles Boudot  

Al Rayyan Mile, Thoroughbreds (QA-Gr2)
Al Qudra, Charlie Appleby, William Buick

Dukhan Sprint, Thoroughbreds (QA-Gr3)
Rogue Lightning, Tom Clover, Mickael Barzalona

Qatar International Cup, Purebred Arabians 
Al Wakrah, Jean de Mieulle, Olivier d’Andigne

Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cup, Thoroughbreds (QA-Gr2)
General Panic, Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki, Tomas Lukasek