Mohamed Saad
The Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) organised the 14th race meeting in the 2022-23 season at the Al Rayyan Racecourse turf track on Thursday, 24 November. In the feature of the nine-race card, Abbes (FR) (TM Fred Texas x Raqiyah) won the Lekhraib Cup, wrapping up a day to remember for owner Wathnan Racing and trainer Alban de Mieulle with a record offive winners. Jockey Ronan Thomas was also riding at the top of his games with four timers as he rode Abbes to land the spoils in the feature race in the card, a 2200m Purebred Arabian Conditions, by two lengths. The Al Shaqab Racing-owned and Eric Lemartinel-trained Algrain (FR) (Dahess) finished second under Faleh Bughanaim. The third place went to the winning owner and the winning trainer as well with Maruf (FR) (Tabarak) further three quarters of a length behind the runner-up under Carlos Henrique.
QREC Racing Manager Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi presented the trophies to the winners.
Bariloche
The colours of Wathnan Racing and trainer Alban de Mieulle began the day, picking up where they left off the day before, winning the opener, a 1600m Thoroughbred Maiden. Under jockey Ronan Thomas, and at just the second time of asking and Qatar debut, the 2YO Bariloche (FR) (El Kabeir x Belle Croix) went one better as he stretched 1½ lengths clear at the line.
Al Tammtam
The second race saw Al Shaqab Racing’s homebred Al Tammtam (FR) (TM Fred Texas x Tameemah), on Qatar debut, wins the Purebred Arabian Novice for 3YO+. Under jockey Faleh Bughanaim, the 4YO colt stayed on strongly down the home straight to win by half a length for trainer Eric Lemartinel.
Layeq
The Khalifa Bin Sheail Al Kuwari-owned and Julian Smart-trained Layeq (QA) (TM Fred Texas x Ramdha) got off the mark at the second attempt as he landed the third race, the Local Purebred Arabian Maiden for 3YO+. The 3YO colt seemed to appreciate the step up to 1850m as he came with a rattle in the final stages to win by two lengths under jockey Anas Al Seyabi.
Cathy Come Home
The Al Rufaa Racing-owned and Gassim Ghazali-trained Cathy Come Home (GB) (Expert Eye x Beauty Salon) was another successful Qatar debutant on the day. The 2YO came with a late dashing run to win the 1200m Graduation for Thoroughbred Fillies by almost two lengths in the hands of Marco Casamento.
High And Wide
Jockey Faleh Bughanaim completed a double on the day as he steered the Yousuf Bakhit Al Kuwari-owned and Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki-trained High And Wide (IRE) (Bungle Inthejungle x Convidad) to open his account and take victory by a quarter of a length in the 1100m Handicap (70-90) for 3YO+ Thoroughbreds
Muqla
Muqla (FR) (Tabarak x Sarahmina) prevailed in an exciting finish in the 1600m Handicap (75-95) for 4YO+ Purebred Arabians. Under Prakash Akhade, she was the second winner of the day for owner Wathnan Racing and trainer Alban de Mieulle, holding off Rafeeat Al Shan (QA) (AF AlBahar) by a head.
Sealine
It was a double quick-fire for the colours of Wathnan Racing and trainer Alban de Mieulle in the seventh race as they were quickly back in the winners’ enclosure for the third time on the day as Sealine (QA) (Amer x Jaljalah) was the comfortable one-length winner of the 1850m Conditions for 4YO+ Local Purebred Arabians. The 8YO was ridden by jockey Ronan Thomas, who completed a double on the day.
Equinoxe
Equinoxe (QA) (Atlantic Air x Thurayya) won the 2000m Local Thoroughbred Conditions, giving owner Wathnan Racing and trainer Alban de Mieulle a fourth winner on an incredible day for this combination who also had a one-two with Queen Storm (QA) (Trade Storm) finishing only a neck behind the winner. It was also an impressive day’s work by the winning jockey Ronan Thomas, who completed a treble.
Source: Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club