The Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani handing over the Emir’s Golden Sword to H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani, the owner of winning horse Gazwan during the presentation ceremony held at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday. Gazw
DOHA: Gazwan, with Cristian Demuro in the saddle, yesterday produced a sublime run to nail the Emir’s Golden Sword glory on the final day of the horse racing festival at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club.
The seven-year-old, owned by H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani, brought a huge smile to trainer Julian Smart’s face as the American celebrated winning the sixth Emir’s Sword glory in nine years.
Gazwan, who hadn’t raced since October last year, beat Smart-trained Ebraz who was ridden by Theo Bachelot. Yazeed, who had O Peslier in the saddle, finished third in the $1m race. Demuro won $570,000 for finishing 1.25 furlongs ahead of Ebraz in the 2400m marathon.
“Amazing. I am so happy for Gazwan. He went through a lot since the Arc. We worked a lot on him. He had injuries and to come back like this is amazing. What a superb horse,” Smart said yesterday.
“It’s our third win in a row and 6th overall. I want to thank Sheikh Mohammed and Al Shahaniya Stud,” the popular American said. “He came back so strong. It was a great sight, really,” he added.
Earlier in the Emir’s Trophy for Group 1 entries, popular British rider Harry Bentley guided The Blue Eye to a hard-fought win ahead of Noor Al Hawa who was ridden by Eduardo Pedroza.
The Blue Eye clinched the honours just half a furlong ahead of Noor Al Hawa as trainer Jassim Ghazali celebrated his second big win of the day. Money Multiplier, ridden by Lanfranco Dettori, claimed the third spot. Bentley picked up the top prize of $570,000.
“Winning the Emir’s Silver Sword was very tough and I had to do some tactics during the race to win the title. I look forward to more wins in the future,” Bentley said.
Earlier the Emir’s Sword for Purebred Arabians race was also won by Bentley who produced a sterling run with Easter De Faust owned by Khalifa Al Kuwari. Easter De Faust’s win was double joy for trainer Ghazali who also trained second-placed Jethjath ridden by Oisin Murphy.
Evolution Du Croate, ridden by Tomas Lukasek, finished third but top prize winner Bentley was thrilled. Bentley said: “I am happy. I was very focussed and so was my horse. I think we both did really well. It has been a good weekend for us.”
In the Emir’s Shalfa battle, Eduardo Pedroza produced the goods with Pazeer, winning the 2000m marathon in a tough fight with Shabbab who had Marc Lerner in the saddle. Pazeer clocked a time of 2:02.99 to help
Pedroza won the top prize of $142,500. Just behind Pazeer was Shabbab trained by Deborah Amnada. Khataaf, ridden by Jimmy Quinn, finished third in the 14-rider field.
Pedroza said: “I am so proud to win The Emir’s Shalfa race today. Pazeer helped me win the tough race.”
Qatari trainer, Ibrahim Al Malki, said yesterday: “We are indescribably happy to win the Emir’s Shalfa race. Pazeer is a remarkable horse and will be in the fray for next year’s the Emir’s Trophy.”
In the battle for honours in the Al Biddah Mile, Tip Two Win, ridden by David Probert scorched the turf at QREC, winning the 1600m contest with ease. Tip Two Win finished ahead of Anima Rock who had Oisin Murphy in the saddle. Ghazali-trained Mualah finished third with popular jockey Bentley in action. Probert won $142,500.
Owner of Tip Two Win Anne Cowley said: “It gives me great pleasure to have won the Gr 2 Al Biddah Mile for thoroughbreds. I was very nervous though as I was afraid to lose. But eventually I got the title!”
In the Dukhan Sprint, day two hero Martin Harley guided Intisaab - trained by David O’Meara - to a narrow win ahead of Izzthatright who had Bentley in the saddle.
Intisaab clocked a time of 1:09.98 in the 1200m contest as Harley got richer by $142,500. Izzthatright finished a notch behind Intisaab as Bentley won $55,000. Gulliverm, ridden by Andrea Atzeni, finished in third spot.
Stuart Graham, owner of Intisaab, said: “The race was tough and the last strides determined who the real winner is. I’m very happy with my first win in Qatar.”
Trainer O’Meara said: “Dukhan Sprint wasn’t easy to win and Intisaab was fantastic in the last metres at Al Rayyan Racecourse as she loves speed.”
In the Qatar International Cup, Gerald Avranche raced away to glory with a strong finish astride Al Naif Stud’s Molheb Al Naif in the 1600m contest. Ateej, with Christophe Soumillon in the saddle, secured the second spot that was worth $55,000. In third place was Bentley who was astride Carab. Avranche won the top prize of $142,500.
After the race, Sheikh Nasser bin Abdullah bin Nasser Al Thani said: “Expect the return of Al Naif Stud’s horses to the top again after a long absence from the winner’s enclosures. UK and France will be our next stop!”
In Al Rayyan Breeders Cup, Demuro yesterday guided Cannon to a comfortable win finishing ahead of Moaddie who had Bachelot in the saddle. Cannon cruised to his win in a time of 2:02.90 as Demuro picked up the top prize of $142,500.
Bachelot, who saw Moaddie finish some 4.75 furlongs behinds Cannon, won $55,000. Asaaf, who was ridden by Christophe Soumillon, finished in third spot in the 13-rider field.
