Faleh Bughanaim guides Subahiyah to win.
Doha: Al Shaqab Racing’s Subahiyah stormed to a commanding victory in the feature, stealing limelight in an eventful Qatar Oaks day – the 23rd Race Meeting of the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) at Al Rayyan Racecourse yesterday.
The three-year-old bay wrapped up the marathon 10-race card day, registering a 2¾ length victory under Faleh Bughanaim to the win the 2000m Thoroughbreds for three-year-old fillies only – Class 1, Far Bend.
The Jean-Claude Rouget-trained was in top form as she outpaced Muneerah, ridden by Hollie Doyle, comfortably in the end to secure top prize of $57,000 in the $100,000 race. Lukas Delozier rode Mohammed Ghazali-trained Midheaven to third place in the feature.
Ahmed Amanullah Al Shaibani, Head of Support Services Department, QREC poses with the connection of Subahiyah. Pics: Juhaim /QREC
The victory sealed a double for Bughanaim, who also steered Al Shaqab Racing’s Osaila to a two-length win in $60,000 Local Purebred Arabians for four-year-old fillies only – Far Bend.
Meanwhile, jockey Maxime Guyon had a superb day completing a hat-trick of victories riding Al Shahania Stud’s Image Du Croate to a half-length win in Purebred Arabians for four-year-old fillies – Far Bend.
Guyon earlier rode Fedwah to Purebred Arabian Novice Plate title after guiding Latifolia to win in Thoroughbred Maiden Plate for two-year-old fillies only – Class 6.
Also yesterday, Sheikh Faisal bin Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani-owned Al Warkah, ridden by Alberto Sanna, clinched a two-length victory in the $75000 Local Thoroughbreds for three-year-old fillies only – Far Bend.
QREC Acting CEO Bader Mohammed Al Darwish hands away the prize to representative of No Tear Al Maury. Pics: Juhaim /QREC
The victory in the 2000m race also sealed a brace of victories for Sanna, who earlier led Roma to triumph in $50,000 Local Purebred Arabians – three-year-old fillies only.
Mickael Barzalona was the other jockey to return with a double after he paired up with No Tear Al Maury to win the $50,000 Purebred Arabians – for three-year-old (fillies only), claiming a half-length victory in the 1600m race.
Earlier, Barzalona rode Porsche Cavalier to Thoroughbred Novice Plate title.
The day started with a 3½ length triumph for Julian Colin Smart-trained Djalco in the 1400m Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate, with Jim Crowley in the saddle.
Today’s Qatar Derby will feature 10 races again including the feature – Thoroughbreds for three-year-old – Class 1, Far Bend – offering a total prize purse of $500,000.
23rd Race Meeting - Qatar Oaks (Horse, Trainer, Jockey)
Qatar Oaks (QA Listed) - Thoroughbreds (3yo Fillies Only) (Class 1) (Far Bend)
Subahiyah, Jean-Claude Rouget, Faleh Bughanaim
Qatar Oaks - Purebred Arabians (4yo Fillies Only) (Far Bend)
Image Du Croate, Rudy Andre Nerbonne, Maxime Guyon
Qatar Oaks - Local Thoroughbreds (3yo Fillies Only) (Far Bend)
Al Warkah, Mohamed Khaled Elahmed, Alberto Sanna
Qatar Oaks - Local Purebred Arabians (4yo Fillies Only) (Far Bend)
Osaila, Eric Lemartinel, Faleh Bughanaim
Qatar Oaks - Purebred Arabians (3yo Fillies Only)
No Tear Al Maury, Thomas Fourcy, Mickael Barzalona
Qatar Oaks - Local Purebred Arabians (3yo Fillies Only)
Roma, Mohamed Khaled Elahmed, Alberto Sanna
Thoroughbred Novice Plate (Fillies & Mares) (Class 5)
Porsche Cavalier, Julian Colin Smart, Mickael Barzalona
Purebred Arabian Novice Plate
Fedwah, Rudy Andre Nerbonne, Maxime Guyon
Thoroughbred Maiden Plate (2yo Fillies Only) (Class 6)
Latifolia, Gassim Ghazali, Maxime Guyon
Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate
Djalco, Julian Colin Smart, Jim Crowley
