Mohamed Saad
The Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) organised the 25th race meeting in the 2021-22 season, and the first in 2022, at the Al Rayyan Racecourse sand track on Wednesday, 5 January. In the feature on the eight-race card, it was Al Shaqab Racing’s UM TAJ (FR) (Al Mamun Monlau x Dyala) who came out on top landing the Umm Al Zubar Cup as the Eric Lemartinel-trained 6YO mare came home strongly in the hands of Faleh Bughanaim to win the 1700m contest for Purebred Arabians by two and three quarter lengths. The Mansoor Khalil Al Mansoori-owned and trained Bin General (FR) (General) was the runner-up under Shakir Al Balushi. The Sheikh Faisal Bin Hamad Bin Jassim Al Thani-owned and Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki-trained Fuwairat (FR) (Amer) was third as he finished further six and three quarter lengths under Tomas Lukasek.
QREC Racing Manager, Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi presented the trophies to the winners.
LEKHRAIB
In the penultimate race of the evening, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mishal Bin Hamad Al Thani’s unstoppable LEKHRAIB (QA) (AF AlBahar x Grace T) completed a double gaining his ninth victory in the last 12 outings as he prevailed by almost three lengths in the 1200m Local Purebred Arabian Conditions under Marco Casamento, completing a double on the day for trainer Mohammed Ghazali.
SARMAD BU THAILA
The colours of Sabhea Awad Ibrahim and trainer Mohamed Khaled Elahmed were in the winners’ enclosure for the second time in the meeting as SARMAD BU THAILA (QA) (Soviet Secret x Appleby) cosily won the 1200m Local Thoroughbred Handicap (0-90) by three quarters of a length under Alberto Sanna.
HESSDALEN
The Ibrahim Saeed Ibrahim Al Malki-owned and trained HESSDALEN (GB) (Sea The Stars x Moonlight’s Box) landed his second win of the campaign as he took the 1900m Thoroughbred Handicap (0-85). The 6YO gelding led from start to finish under Tomas Lukasek, winning by two lengths.
SERGEANT MAJOR
The Eng. Osama Omer Al Dafea-owned and trained SERGEANT MAJOR (GB) (Siyouni x Aurore) completed a double as he stretched clear in the 1900m Thoroughbred Handicap (0-75) to win by three and half lengths under Szczepan Mazur, who completed a double on the evening.
TAHT AMREK
Al Gaiah Racing’s TAHT AMREK (FR) (Mared Al Sahra x Alghasa) went one better than when he was last seen, winning the 1900m Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate. Partnered to success by Qais Al-Busaidi, the Mohammed Ghazali-trained 6YO gelding cruised into the lead to win by four and a half lengths.
AL BURAQ
In the second race, Al Jeryan Stud’s AL BURAQ (QA) (Nathaniel x Foxtrol Alpha) made a winning debut as he took the 1700m Local Thoroughbred Maiden Plate in the hands of Szczepan Mazur. The Mohammed Hamad Khalifa Al Attiyah-saddled debutant quickened up smartly to win by three-quarters of a length.
SHAMS AL NAHAR
The day began with the 1700m Purebred Arabian Handicap (0-65) and it was Sabhea Awad Ibrahim’s SHAMS AL NAHAR (QA) (AF AlBahar x Bint Al Ajwad) who won the opener. Trainer Mohamed Khaled Elahmed and jockey Lukas Delozier teamed up for the 4YO filly to get off the mark by almost two lengths.
Source: Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club