Exciting H.H. The Amir Sword Festival
concludes with MON’NIA victory

Mon'Nia ridden by Thomas Lukasek

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In the presence of H.H. the Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, H.E. Sheikha Yasmeen Bint Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani’s MON’NIA won the US$1mn features on the final day of what has been an exciting H.H. The Amir Sword Festival at Al Rayyan Park on Saturday, February 20.

H.E. Sheikha Yasmeen Bint Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani’s MON’NIA (Amer x Margouia) ensured trainer Julian Smart returned to the winner’s circle for the biggest prize in Purebred Arabian racing in Qatar for the sixth straight year as the filly showed some amazing pace coming off the bend, right till the post to land the H.H THE AMIR SWORD (GR1 PA) (Sponsored by Al Hazm) (PUREBRED ARABIANS 4 Year Olds & Older). Helmed by Tomas Lukasek, Mon’nia was midfield even as Umm Qarn’s Bin General and Jabalah set the pace up front early on in the 2400m feature.

Mon’nia began her move up on the bend before pulling away. Khalifa Bin Sheail Al Kuwari’s Lady Princess, trained by Thomas Fourcy, gave chase and even closed the gap but not enough to threaten the leader. H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani’s EBRAZ (Amer x Massamarie) too upped the pace under Maxime Guyon with his characteristic kick, and managed to edge out Julien Auge ridden LADY PRINCESS (General x Nacree Al Maury) for the runner up spot a length and a quarter behind the winner.

Munir Du Soleil ridden by Thomas Lukasek

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Abdullah Bin Fahad Al Attiyah’s MUNIR DU SOLEIL (Munjiz x Rahab) produced a late kick to win in two different countries in as many starts. Helmed by Tomas Lukasek, the Thomas Fourcy ward bided his time and surged forward coming off the final bend. The duo eventually passed leader Hidalgo Du Croate, ridden by Jason Watson for Mohammed Hussain Afroz, and built a healthy gap to win comfortably with three lengths to spare. Sheail Bin Khalifa Al Kuwari’s Hidalgo Du Croate put up a promising run leading for the bulk of the 1850m race and finishing runner up.

Methgal ridden by Maxime Guyon

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H.E. Sheikha Reem Bint Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani’s METHGAL (TM Fred Texas x Theeba) won the QATAR INTERNATIONAL CUP (GR1 PA) (Sponsored by Daam) (4 Year Olds & Older) for the second consecutive year with a fantastic run down coming off the final bend on Saturday. In the mile long run, the Julian Colin Smart trained 5yo had Maxime Guyon for company, like last year, and the two kicked up the pace on to the home straight and chased down the in-form Al Naama, helmed by Soufiane Saadi, taking a win by three quarters of a length.

Source: Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club. Photos: Juhaim/QREC