Wathnan Racing’s Doha Bu Thaila storms to Al Hamla Cup victory

DOHA: Doha Bu Thaila lived up to the expectations of legendary trainer Alban Elie De Mieulle, producing a strong late surge to win the feature race of the day - the Al Hamla Cup at Al Rayyan Racecourse yesterday.

Owned by Wathnan Racing, the four-year-old filly delivered a sharp finish in the final strides to claim victory in the 1400m Local Thoroughbred Conditions (Class 2) race.

Guided confidently by jockey Soufiane Saadi, Doha Bu Thaila stayed mid-pack for much of the race before accelerating in the final 200 metres to overtake Al Faisal, who had led most of the way under Lukas Delozier but couldn’t hold off the late charge and finished more than two lengths behind.

Jockey Soufiane Saadi guides Doha Bu Thaila towards the finish line.

Harb, ridden by Tomas Lukasek, secured third place.

Trainer De Mieulle was pleased with the filly’s winning return to action.

“We gave her rest and she came back very well. We weren’t very confident today, but we felt she could do something special. I’m really happy with the win. I think she’ll have a good season,” said De Mieulle.

The win marked a double on the day for Saadi, who had earlier guided Shahab Alseej, trained by Jassim bin Hamad Al-Atteya, to an impressive five-length victory in the Local Thoroughbred Novice Plate.

The Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club’s (QREC) second race meeting of the season featured eight more races on the card.

Al Shaqab Racing also enjoyed success, with Al Zwair, ridden by Faleh Bughenaim, edging out a close finish to win the Purebred Arabian Handicap.

Earlier in the day, the Hamad Al-Jehani-trained Evergreen claimed victory in the Thoroughbred Handicap, ridden by Szczepan Mazur. In another Thoroughbred Handicap, Saleh Salem Al-Marri guided Temple Of Hera, trained by Nayef Batal Al-Otibi, to a well-earned win.

Meanwhile, Al Wasmiyah Farm and trainer Georges Mikhalides celebrated a standout result in the Thoroughbred Maiden Plate, sweeping the podium. Menhaf, ridden by Alberto Sanna, took the title, followed by stablemates Affran and Tamih Al Wasmiyah in second and third, respectively.

Delozier and Mohammed Al Ghazali-trained Alsakib secured Al Wasmiyah Farm’s first win of the day with a dominant performance in the Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate, winning by an impressive 10 lengths.

Later, Jefferson Smith, who had completed a double on Wednesday, guided Barzan, trained by Ahmed Kobeissi, to a narrow neck victory in another Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate.

The third QREC race meeting of the season is scheduled for October 22, featuring the Asherij Cup.

2nd Al Rayyan Race Meeting

Al Hamla Cup

WINNERS: (Horse, Trainer, Jockey)

1 - Al Hamla Cup - Local Thoroughbred Conditions

Doha Bu Thaila, Alban Elie De Mieulle, Soufiane Saadi

2 - Purebred Arabian Handicap (85-105)

Al Zwair, Jean de Mieulle, Faleh Bughenaim

3 - Thoroughbred Handicap (70-90)

Evergreen, Hamad Al-Jehani, Szczepan Mazur

4 - Local Thoroughbred Novice Plate

Shahab Alseej, Jassim bin Hamad Al-Atteya, Soufiane Saadi

5 -Thoroughbred Handicap (0-75)

Temple Of Hera, Nayef Batal Al-Otibi, Saleh Salem Al-Marri

6 - Thoroughbred Maiden Plate

Menhaf, Georges Mikhalides, Alberto Sanna

7 - Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate

Barzan, Ahmed Kobeissi, Jefferson Smith

8 - Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate

Alsakib, Mohammed Al Ghazali, Lukas Delozier