The connection of Al Khor Surprise, winner of Al Thakhira Cup.
Doha: Abdulatif Hussain Al Emadi’s homebred Al Khor Surprise produced a sterling performance to win the Al Thakhira Cup at the Al Uqda Racecourse yesterday.
Ronan Thomas steered the Bader Al Balushi-trained five-year-old gelding to a dominating victory in yesterday’s 1,400m feature race, which got off to a fast start.
Al Qamar, ridden by Alberto Sanna, was second in the closely-contested QR75,000 race while Ivan Rossi guided Al Harqah to third place. QREC Racing Manager Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi crowned the winners of Al Thakhira Cup, who got richer by QR42,750.
While Sanna ended runner-up in the feature race, the Italian jockey earlier rode Al Wasmiyah Farm’s homebred Kadupul to 1,400m Thoroughbred Handicap (0-85) title with a half length victory. The Georges Mikhalides-schooled the three-year-old filly.
Also yesterday, Al Modajal – helmed by JP Guillambert – ended up winner in the Thoroughbred Handicap (0-80) over 2,200m, giving trainer Jassim Ghazali his second victory of the day. The six-year-old Bay Horse is owned by Jassem Mohammed Al Badi.
Meanwhile, Umm Qarn’s Bachra was third time lucky on Qatar debut as she came out on top of a head-to-head battle in the 1,400m Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate with a nose win for trainer Alban de Mieulle & jockey Carlos Henrique.
In the Thoroughbred Maiden Plate, Abdullah Mohammed Al Kuwari & Sons’ Hungry For Fashion was fastest, securing first win of the day for Ghazali. David Allan guided the three-year-old filly.
Al Jeryan Stud’s homebred AJS Al Mared, with Szczepan Mazur in the saddle, won the Local Purebred Arabian Handicap title in what was the first race of the day.
1st Al Uqda meeting - Al Thakhira Cup Winners (Horse, Trainer, Jockey)
Al Thakhira Cup - Local Thoroughbred Maiden
Al Khor Surprise, Bader Al Balushi, Ronan Thomas
Thoroughbred Handicap (Class 4)
Kadupul, Georges Mikhalides, Alberto Sanna
Thoroughbred Handicap (Class 4)
Al Modajal, Gassim Ghazali, JP Guillambert
Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate
Bachra, Alban Elie De Mieulle, Carlos Henrique
Thoroughbred Maiden Plate (Class 6)
Hungry For Fashion (IRE), Gassim Ghazali, David Allan
Local Purebred Arabian Handicap
AJS Al Mared, M.H.K Al Attiyah, Szczepan Mazur
