BY RIZWAN REHMAT
DOHA: Popular British jockey Harry Bentley yesterday wrote horse racing history in Qatar when he smashed the 100-win mark in a single season as he guided Roman Legend to a convincing victory in the Al Gharafa Cup.
The 22-year-old jockey posted his 100th win of the season with a sublime run with Jassim Al Ghazali-trained Roman Legend, which clocked a time of 1:33:66 in the 1600m turf race.
Roman Legend finished ahead of Oasis Cannes — ridden by Stephan Ladjadj — and City Zen, who had J P Guillambert in the saddle, at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) here.
Roman Legend’s win margin was a convincing two-and-a-half lengths ahead of Oasis Cannes.
The Newbury-based Bentley was thrilled with his personal century, a big improvement from his previous career-best tally of 48 wins.
“It’s crazy. At the start of the season I didn’t even think this was possible,” Bentley, who posted 32 wins in the 2013-14 season at QREC, said.
“When I got to 50, I thought it was possible,” he said. “At the start of the season, it wasn’t even in my thoughts that I would get a 100,” he said.
“It was a good evening. To be honest it was little left to the last minute. It was nerve-wrecking. I wanted to do it this evening,” Bentley said.
“Roman Legend had a good race. He followed the riders well and he won well,” he said.
“More importantly, I hope the other jockeys get home safe,” Bentley said of S Golam and Evert Pheiffer who tumbled off their rides at the first bend.
Both riders failed to complete the race watched by a decent crowd at the QREC.
“To be honest, I hope it is not passed again,” Bentley said of his 100 tally. “I have set the record so I hope this will be something that people will go for,” Bentley said.
Earlier in the day, Bentley picked up two wins — with Sandbetweenourtoes in race six and with Izzthatright in race three.
Sandbetweenourtoes beat Excuse To Linger, ridden by Marco Monteriso, and Bazaruto, who guided by Gerald Avranche, in the 1200m race.
Sandbetweenourtoes clocked a time of 1:09:69.
Izzthatright, also trained by Al Ghazali, surged ahead of Mind Of Madness and Adulation to take the win with a time of 1:09:61 in race three.
Qatari trainer Al Ghazali, who celebrated 1-2-3 in the feature race of the day at QREC, was all praise for Bentley.
“Thank God for this achievement. I am very happy for Harry Bentley,” Al Ghazali said. “One hundred winners is amazing. He is part of my team. We are one team.”
“I am happy that my jockey has reached his 100 wins in one season,” the Qatari said. “It is not easy. It is not every day that you would see somebody make 100 wins.”
“I thank God that I got 1-2-3 as well. Another good thing was that Roman Legend came back in this race,” he said.
“I am very happy today,” Al Ghazali, who has won more than 160 races this season, said.
Two weeks ago at the QREC, Bentley picked up six wins while Al Ghazali saw all of his entries grab winners at QREC.
It is said that Bentley was about to go to college when he was 16 to take his A levels, but Horsham trainer Gary Moore encouraged the Briton to get an apprentice licence
“It was a big risk to drop out of education, but I took it and so far so good,” Bentley had said.
After yesterday’s rare feat, it is hardly surprising that Bentley feels ready to add to his tally.
“To get a 100 wins in any season, in any country is a big deal,” Bentley said.
“It is a big deal for me. I might never do it again. To do it (reach the 100-mark) was quite important for me,” Bentley said.
With four race days left in the 2014-15 season, Bentley will certainly look to add to his astonishing tally of 100 wins.
The last four rounds will be held on April 29 May 6 and May 7.
THE PENINSULA
