Marco Casamento guides Mueer Al Rayyan to victory in the Purebred Arabian Show Horses & Mares race.
Doha, Qatar: Ghafan stormed home to claim the Al Thakira Cup in style, delivering a powerful late surge under jockey Alberto Sanna to win the feature race at Al Rayyan Racecourse yesterday.
The four-year-old gelding, owned and trained by Ibrahim Khaled Elahmed, was uncatchable in the home straight, securing an impressive 4½-length victory in the 1700m Local Thoroughbred Premium Maiden Plate.
Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club’s (QREC) Racing Manager Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi honoured the winning connections.
“It was good to win. Ghafan is a nice runner. I won two races, which is better than nothing,” Sanna said with a smile.
The jockey had earlier guided Qahwa, owned and trained by Ibrahim Saeed Ibrahim Al Malki, to a three-length victory in the 1700m Thoroughbred Conditions race.
In the first-ever race for Purebred Arabian show horses, Marco Casamento steered Mueer Al Rayyan, trained by Mohammed Al Ghazali, to a comfortable 8½-length victory. Four runners contested the 1000m event.
“It was fun. I feel there was nothing too dangerous. Mueer Al Rayyan competed very well, and I feel he will improve. These races will be fun,” Casamento said after the win.
The connections of Ghafan celebrate after the Ibrahim Khaled Elahmed-owned gelding won the Al Thakira Cup. PICTURES: JUHAIM/QREC
QREC has introduced show horse races for the first time this season, scheduling a total of nine races - eight at Al Rayyan and one at Al Uqda.
Meanwhile, AJS Agadir, ridden by Szczepan Mazur, claimed the Local Purebred Arabian Handicap title for trainer M.H.K Al Attiyah, winning by over two lengths in the 1900m contest.
The Thoroughbred Handicap title went to Bluey’s Boy, ridden by Jefferson Smith, while Nooran won the Local Thoroughbred Handicap under the guidance of Youssef Lachhab.
The meet opened with Noo Point, guided by Lukas Delozier, taking the 1200m Thoroughbred Handicap by three lengths, followed by Prince D’ossau’s victory in the 1200m Purebred Arabian Handicap under Tomas Lukasek.
Today’s action will feature another eight races, with the Guineas and Barzan Cups as the highlights.
9th Al Rayyan Race Meeting - Al Thakira Cup
WINNERS: (Horse, Trainer, Jockey)
Al Thakira Cup, Local Thoroughbred Premium Maiden Plate
Ghafan, Ibrahim Khaled Elahmed, Alberto Sanna
Purebred Arabian Show Horses & Mares
Mueer Al Rayyan, Mohammed Al Ghazali, Marco Casamento
Thoroughbred Conditions, Fillies & Mares
Qahwa, Ibrahim Saeed Ibrahim Al Malki, Alberto Sanna
Local Purebred Arabian Handicap (70-90)
AJS Agadir, M.H.K Al Attiyah, Szczepan Mazur
Thoroughbred Handicap (60-80)
Bluey’s Boy, Tareq Essa Abdulla, Jefferson Smith
Local Thoroughbred Handicap (0-55)
Nooran, Owaida Salem Al Hajri, Youssef Lachhab
Purebred Arabian Handicap (50-70)
Prince D’ossau, Ibrahim Saeed Ibrahim Al Malki, Tomas Lukasek
Thoroughbred Handicap (0-60)
Noo Point, Rashid Mohammed Alathba, Lukas Delozier
