DOHA UMM QARN Farms’ champion filly and pride of Qatar Al Dahma, making her last competitive season memorable, overcame stiff resistance from Raqiyah to lift the coveted HH the Emir’s Sword race at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club on Thursday.
The Alban de Mieulle-ward, the defending champion, took home a rich purse of $1,000,000, the prize money for the 2,400 metres race for the Pure Arabian international horses.
The 31st race meeting was a part of H.H the Emir of the State of Qatar Trophies and Sword Festival held under the patronage of the Emir His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani.
The winner overcame a field of tested riders like stable-mate General, Mared al Sahra, Damis and Areej.
It was Fakhr which had an early lead over his challengers in the prestigious race.
But Fakhr had to make way for the classy Al Dahma, who stretched to victory in the final furlong with her impressing run.
Trainer De Mieulle showered Al Dahma with praise and called her a true champion.
Jockey Olivier Peslier, who piloted Al Dahma to the grand victory, had a memorable day when he placed second in the other highlight event of the day - HH The Emir’s Trophy (Pure Arabians) partnering with Dherwah.
Al Dahma’s winning effort of 2 minutes 38.99 seconds is an impressive time this season and the manner in which she defeated the opponents, indicated that she was still having a lot to deliver.
“Al Dahma is a champion.
To register such a victory in her penultimate run is truly amazing.
Al Dahma has won all over the world and she is a real champion.
General too is a good horse and am sure he will bounce back,” opined de Mieulle.
It was the aggressive riding skills of jockey Wayne Smith which was the key in Marinous emerging triumphant in the QR1,000,000 race run over a distance of 2,200 metres.
The four-year-old bay colt, owned by Saeed Nasser al Rumaihi, was unfazed despite a presence of good and strong challengers in the HH the Emir’s Trophy.
The race started with Logic Way holding a brief lead but couldn’t sustain the tempo as the rivals entered the final furlong and Marionous pulled away from the pack to record a short head distance to claim the prized race.
The other highlight of the evening was HH the Emir’s Trophy for Pure Arabians which carried a prize of QR500,00.
The 2,200 metres race witnessed a wonderful performance from Raihan.
The Alban de Mieulle-schooled Raihan, ridden by jockey Norbert Jeanpierre, warded off the challenges from Dherwah, Nimr and Jareh to claim the top honours.
A power-packed finish helped Raihan cover a lot of ground and beat the Dubai challenger Dherwah, ridden by Olivier Peslier.
The winning time of 2 minutes 26.54 seconds came close to the track record of 2:28.48 held by Puchet.
In the opening race of the evening which was a Pure Arabian stakes was won by Al Noor.
The Jassim al Ghazali-trained Al Noor led from the start to finish before coming home.
Jockey Stephen Ladjadj’s riding skills also require a mention as they guided the contestant edged Shaddad and Zalzalah in a tight finish.
The Racing & Equestrian Club (REC) organised the “Libertad” show by the French equestrian showman, Jean François Pignon.
With his team, Pignon performed some breath-taking displays which regaled a big crowd of local people and expatriates.
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