Alberto Sanna guiding Bint Saffian to victory.
Doha: Alberto Sanna, astride Bint Saffian, yesterday produced thrilling speed to corner Al Ghariya Cup glory as horse racing fans welcomed the start of the new season at Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC).
Yesterday's win gave Al Azraq Stable’s five-year-old mare her fourth career win.
Trained by Bader Al Balushi, Bint Saffian clinched the win by a substantial 5¾-length in the 1,100m Class 2 run as her team won QR57,000 in prize money.
Al Ghariya Cup winning team posing for a photograph yesterday.
Hillside Dream (IRE), trained by Gassim Mohammad Ghazali and ridden by Saleh Salem Al Marri (-5kg), finished second.
Make A Wish (IRE), with Ronan Thomas in the saddle, completed the podium in the feature race of the day, which offered a total of QR100,000 in prize money.
Meanwhile, Al Shahania Stud’s homebred Rajeh (FR) (Jaafer x Nelka) enhanced his strike rate to eight by winning a Purebred Arabians race on dirt, yesterday.
Saleh Al Marri rode the Jassim Ghazali-trained six-year-old grey horse to a ¾-length win in the 1,700m run to bag a prize cheque worth QR42,750.
Alban Elie Marie de Mieulle-trained Dabaab (FR), ridden by Ronan Thomas, came second while Al Hazm (FR), also trained by De Mieulle, finished third with Soufiane Saadi in the saddle.
Meanwhile, Dhafi Rashid Al Marri’s homebred Tahri Baha (QA) (Mared Al Sahra) added the 3rd win to his tally in a Local Purebred Arabian Conditions on dirt.
Carlos Henrique rode the Mohammed Hussain-trained 7YO horse to a head win in the 6f run ahead of Lekhraib (QA), trained by Mohammed Gassim Ghazali and ridden by Faleh Bughanaim who finished second.
Barra (QA), trained by de Mieulle won the third place with jockey Ronan Thomas.
Earlier, Umm Qarn’s Badda (FR) (Seraphin Du Paon) added the fourth win to her record in a Purebred Arabian Handicap (0-90 /1,700m).
Ronan Thomas rode the Alban de Mieulle-trained 5YO bay mare to a 2½-length win.
Al Thumama Racing’s Barig Al Thumama (GB) (Kyllachy) got off the mark, winning a Thoroughbred Handicap (0-75).
Meteb Al Saaq rode the Mohammed Hussain-trained 5YO chestnut horse to a short-head win in the 1,200m run.
In other event, Al Shaqab Racing’s homebred Alsdry (FR) (TM Fred Texas x Dixie Darlene) won the Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate when Soufiane Saadi rode the de Mieulle-trained 4YO bay filly to a 3½-length win.
Al Wasmiyah Stud’s Traisha (IRE) (Invincible Spirit) joined black type stars after landing the Listed British Stallion Studs EBF Beckford Stakes at Bath.
David Egan steered the Joseph Patrick O'Brien-trained 4YO bay filly to a 3-length victory in the 2,800m contest for 3YO+.
Fahad Rashid Al Hajri’s 4YO chestnut filly Al Murabitah (QA) won the Local Thoroughbred Maiden Plate with Saadi while Abdullah Mohammed Al Kuwari & Sons’ Shellbrook (GB) (Shamardal) won the Thoroughbred Maiden (1,100m) in the opening race of the day.
Saleh Al Marri rode the Jassim Ghazali-trained 4YO to a ¾-length win in the first race of the 2020/21 season.
Out of 49 races lined up for the season that will stretch across seven months, 37 will take place at the Al Rayyan Racecourse while the brand new Al Uqda Racecourse in Al Khor will host the rest.
