Jassim Bin Ali M A Al Attiyah’s KEEL BAY (IRE) (Starspangledbanner x Slieve) was the runaway winner of feature race of the 40th race meeting of the 2021-22 season at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) Al Rayyan Racecourse sand track on Wednesday, 16 March. The Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki-trained 3YO filly won the 1200m Thoroughbred Handicap (0-85) for fillies and mares in fine style, having too much for the rest of the field as she prevailed by eight and a half lengths, giving jockey Tomas Lukasek his second win on the day. While KEEL BAY put the challenge for the first place to bed early, the contention for the minor honours was very tough as the Al Azraq Stable-owned and Mohammed Ghazali-trained ANGELIC QUEEN (IRE) (Anjaal) finished second under Faleh Bughanaim only a neck in front of the Sheikh Faisal Bin Hamad Bin Jassim Al Thani-owned and Mohamed Khaled Elahmed-trained GOLD LILY (FR) (Galileo Gold) who was ridden by Qais Al-Busaidi.

Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi, QREC Racing Manager, presented the trophies to the winners.

QUEENSHALA

In the penultimate race, the Purebred Arabian Conditions, the Umm Qarn-owned QUEENSHALA (FR) (Al Mamun Monlau x Al Ramtha) returned in great style for trainer Alban de Mieulle as the 5YO mare won the 1900m race for 4YO+ fillies and mares by two and a half lengths with Soufiane Saadi in the saddle.

ERNEST ALDRICH

The Abdulatif Hussain M Z Al Emadi-owned ERNEST ALDRICH (GB) (Oasis Dream x Wallis), trained by Bader Al Balushi, won the 1900m Conditions for 3YO+ Thoroughbreds as he finished strongly under Lukas Delozier to see off his rivals by a quarter of a length.

STILVIO

In the fifth race, the Abdullah Bin Fahad A H Al Attiyah-owned STILVIO (FR) (AF AlBahar x Sylia Du Cayrou) won the Purebred Arabian Handicap (0-85) for 4YO+ in superb fashion for trainer Mohammed Ghazali as the 5YO powered clear for an eight-length victory under Szczepan Mazur.

WAKEEL

The Thoroughbred Handicap (0-70) was won by the Injaaz Stud-owned WAKEEL (IRE) (Dark Angel x Tahaany) with the return to this longer trip looking a good move by trainer Jihad El Ahmad as the 6YO won the 1700m race for 4YO+ by two and three quarter lengths under Khalid Al Balushi.

VALDARANN

The Thoroughbred Novice Plate saw a close finish and it was the Mohammed Abdulhadi S Al Hajri-owned VALDARANN (FR) (Siyouni x Valdaya) who bounced back to form for trainer Hamad Al Jehani as the 4YO gelding came out on top by half a length, ridden by Tomas Lukasek.

MY GLORY

Trainer Debbie Mountain and Jockey Pranil Arvind teamed up for success in the Thoroughbred Maiden Plate, as the Hassan Ali A M Alabdulmalik-owned MY GLORY (FR) (Olympic Glory x Nawarah), at second time of asking, prevailed in the 1200m race for 3YO+ with a one and a half-length victory.

AESAR

Kicking off the meeting, AESAR (QA) (Trade Storm x Sandy’s Row) got off the mark in fine style for owner and trainer Osama Omer E Al Dafea in the Local Thoroughbred Maiden Plate. The 4YO filly won the1400m race for 4-6YOs by impressive three and a quarter lengths under Qais Al Busaidi.

Source: Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club