H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani’s Ebraz yesterday produced a thrilling run with jockey Maxime Guyon in the saddle to win the $1m Amir Sword, his third in the history of the prestigious event, at the Al Rayyan Race Track.
French King, with Olivier Peslier in the saddle also joined the celebrations by winning the $1m Amir Trophy as the two feature events of the Amir Sword Festival saw a repeat of last year's results.
In the Amir Sword, JP Guillambert-ridden Aaley Al Magam led the pack for the most part of the race before Julian Smart -trained Ebraz stormed ahead in the final 200 metres with amazing pace to defend the title with a winning time of 2:31.22 to bag $570,000.
The two Umm Qarn-owned horses, Tayf, ridden by Soufiane Saadi, and Yazeed, with champion rider Peslier in the saddle, finished second and third respectively in the 2,400m turf race which saw a pack of 10 entries.
Saadi won $220,000 in prize money while Peslier and team Yazeed earned $110,000 for their third place finish.
The Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani presented the golden sword to H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani.
Earlier, in the Amir Trophy, French King, also owned by H E Sheikh Mohammed and trained by Henri-Alex Pantall, was a clear winner. After a ride that lasted for 02:25.91 which earned the team a prize of $570,000, they received the trophy from H H the Amir.
Lady Princess, ridden by Cristophe Soumillon, won the Amir Silver Sword following a brilliant win in the 1,750m race.
H H The Amir presented the Silver Sword to the owner of the winner, Khalifa Sheail Al Kuwari.
The presentation ceremony was also attended by H H Sheikh Jassim bin Khalifa Al Thani, H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani and H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani as well as a host of dignitaries.
Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari’s Al Malhouf made a fantastic Qatar debut as the French raider put up a determined display to win The Amir Shalfa.
Sir Arthur Dayne showed promise on his Qatar debut earlier this month, finishing runner-up behind Think Big. Yesterday, under Oisin Murphy, the Gassim Mohammad Ghazali-saddled colt found a little more in him in the final 50m to top the Al Biddah Mile.
Abdulhadi Mana Al Hajri’s Dark Pursuit carried the momentum from his Sprint Trial victory earlier this month into the Dukhan Sprint.
H E Sheikh Mohammed's Methgal found some late reserves on the home straight to ease through to a memorable victory in the Qatar International Cup.
Sheikh Faisal bin Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani’s Surra Man Raa topped the 2000m Al Rayyan Breeders Cup.
