Intisar De Monlau and Arman steal spotlight

Doha, Qatar: Intisar De Monlau delivered a thrilling late surge to land the Gr2 Purebred Arabian feature as Wathnan Racing secured major victories on H H Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani Trophy Day at Al Rayyan Racecourse yesterday.

Held up before being unleashed, the 5YO bay mare burst to the front in the blink of an eye under James Doyle, surging late to snatch victory by a neck for trainer Alban de Mieulle, capturing the H H Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani Cup. Doyle bagged four victories on the eventful meeting.

In another feature race on one of the biggest meetings of Qatar Racing and Equestrian’s (QREC) racing calendar, Arman won the Local Purebred Arabians securing another major trophy for Wathnan Racing.

Wathnan Racing's Intisar De Monlau is ridden to victory by jockey James Doyle in the H H Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani Cup race.

Under the supervision of De Mieulle and the guidance of jockey Doyle, the 6YO delivered a powerful performance, asserting his authority in the closing stages and drawing clear to score decisively by one and a quarter lengths. Arman finished runner-up in the same race last year by the narrowest of margins.

H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani crowned the winners of both the feature races in the presence QREC Vice Chairman Rashid bin Nasser Sraiya Al Kaabi. Mohammed Al Suwaidi and Ali bin Yousef Al Kubaisi received the trophies on behalf of the successful owners Wathnan Racing.

H H Sheikh Abdullah also honoured the winning riders of the Al Sabiq Championship. The traditional contest was staged as part of the His Highness’s Cup and Trophy meeting.

Arman, with James Doyle in the saddle, won the Local Purebred Arabians securing another major trophy for Wathnan Racing.  

The first four places were secured, in order, by Ali Mohammed Ali Al Otibi aboard AJ S Najd, Saud Rashid Mohammed Meteb Al Saaq partnering Kahilan Al Sakab, Faleh Faraj Saleh Al Otibi guiding Nawasi and Fahad Saad Hamad Al Dosari riding Kasban.

Meanwhile, the Majd Al Arab Sprinter Cup went to Posuelo Py, who produced a sharp finishing burst in the day’s finale. Contesting the 1200m for Purebred Arabians, the bay asserted his authority to win by 2½ lengths, sealing a third win and a quick-fire double on the nine-race card for trainer Hamad Al-Jehani and another success of the day for Doyle.

Earlier, Taftan won the H H Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani Silver Cup, 4YO Purebred Arabian. The bay gelding, trained by Al-Jehani and ridden by Pierre Charles Boudot, showed great resolve to repel a powerful late surge from Dawod right on the line, prevailing by a head.

Horses surge ahead in the opening stretch of a race yesterday.

In the Umm Qarn Trophy for Thoroughbred Open Race, Foehn, Hadi Al Ramzani-trained clinched victory by a nose with Gavin Matt Ryan in the saddle.

Wathnan Racing’s Equinoxe – trained by De Mieulle – also notched up a win, topping the Local Thoroughbred Open Race for French King Cup. The 9-year-old under Doyle displayed a commanding performance to register an impressive five-length victory, completing a third win on the day for the owners and jockey.

Basalt (Thoroughbred Handicap), Pearling Path (Thoroughbred Handicap) and National Park (Thoroughbred Novice Plate) also sealed titles with impressive wins.