Lekhraib sprints to Doha Cup glory

Injaaz Stud’s Lekhraib (AF Al Bahar x Grace T) had narrowly missed out on a victory on his last outing but the Mohammed Gassim Ghazali saddled horse made amends on dirt on Thursday, November 12, landing the Doha Cup (Local Purebred Arabian Conditions) at Al Rayyan Park.

Having finished runner up last month over C&D, the 6yo chestnut had Marco Casamento for company in the six furlong sprint, and despite a threatening challenge by a duo saddled by Alban Elie Marie De Mieulle – Patrice Alexandre Nicolet’s Barra (Munjiz x Daniah) and Umm Qarn’s Sealine (Amer x Jaljalah) – in the final few metres of the race, a timely lunge of the head at the post handed Lekhraib a short head victory.

Soufiane Saadi ridden Barra edged out Ronan Thomas and his partner Sealine by half a length for the runner up spot.

Osama Omer Al Dafea’s Baker De Saularie (Kerbella x Babiche De Saulari) built on the momentum he built in the first two races of his season to win the Purebred Arabian Conditions.

Baker De Saularie ridden by Mickael Berto

Having finished in the frame on the first two outings, all on dirt, Mickael Berto partnered the horse in the 1800m run on Thursday. After staying midfield for the bulk of the race, Berto let his mount go and Baker De Saularie took the advantage 300m out and eventually won by a length and three quarters. It was the 6yo’s fourth win overall.

Saeed Bin Mubarak Saeed Aljafali Al Naimi’s Safae (Majd Al Arab x Tidja D’ibos) brushed aside her forgettable debut in February to top the Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate (Fillies & Mares) in a thrilling finish on Thursday.

Safae ridden by Alberto Sanna

Alberto Sanna had the Majed Mahadi Seifeddine trained filly move up front early on in the 1700m run. Coming off the final bend, the 4yo began building a gap, but had Tomas Lukasek ridden Monati in pursuit. Monati ran out of real estate as Safae won by a head.

Qatari rider Meteb Ali Al Marri guided his third winner of the season with Injaaz Stud’s Faadi (Burning Sand x Hareq ASF) entering the winner’s enclosure for the second time in his career on Thursday. In the Local Purebred Arabian Novice Plate, the Ali Yousuf Al Kubaisi-saddled colt, a maiden winner a little over a year ago over C&D, won handsomely, going past the post five lengths ahead of the competition.

Faadi ridden by Meteb Ali Al Marri

Source: Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club. Photo: QREC-Juhaim