Sports
Wathnan Racing’s Supercooled cruises to Qatar Derby victory
Triumph caps a remarkable day for Wathnan Racing and trainer Alban de Mieulle with five wins
December 27, 2024 | 11:47 PM
Wathnan Racing’s Supercooled delivered a commanding performance to claim the QA Gr 1 Qatar Derby at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC)’s Al Uqda Racecourse’s turf on Friday.After narrowly winning the Trial race earlier this month, the son of Lope De Vega returned stronger, securing a stunning four-length victory in the feature race of the day. The triumph capped a remarkable day for Wathnan Racing and trainer Alban de Mieulle with five wins and a hat-trick for jockey James Doyle. Engineer Yasser bin Abdullah bin Ahmed al-Jamal, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Sports and Youth, crowned the winners.It was another action packed 10-race card with racing connoisseurs witnessing some thrilling battles in the 17th Race Meeting of the QREC.Earlier, Al Zeer retained the Gr 2 PA Qatar International Derby for the connections. The grey colt, owned by Mohammed bin Fahad A H al-Attiya and trained by Francois Rohaut, claimed the prestigious title in the 2,100m race for the four-year-olds. Ridden by Guillaume Guedj-Gay, he displayed remarkable responsiveness in the home straight, surging from midfield to take the lead and secure a hard-fought ½-length victory. With Friday’s victory, the son of Al Mamun Monlau is now a group winner.Meanwhile, Rebel Diamond won the Al Rayyan Stakes on his Qatar debut. The talented juvenile, owned by Wathnan Racing and trained by de Mieulle, claimed the two-year-old contest over 1,400m, extending his unbeaten streak to four. Ridden by James Doyle, the chestnut colt demonstrated his brilliance by surging to the lead in the final stages and winning comfortably. The victory marked a fourth win for his connections and completed a double for Doyle on the day. Bader Mohammed al-Darwish, QREC Acting CEO, crowned the winners.Aneed al-Shahania also extended unbeaten streak in the Qatar National Derby on Friday. Owned by HE Sheikha Reem bint Mohammed bin Khalifa al-Thani and trained by Rudy Nerbonne, the grey colt continued his winning form in the 2,100m Derby for four-year-old Local Purebred Arabians. Ridden to perfection by Lukas Delozier, the son of Azadi showcased his class, overtaking the long-time leader at the 200m mark and pulling away to secure a commanding 3¼-length victory.Chdia wins Qatar three-year-old Purebred Arabian Derby and shone in the Group 3 glory. The unbeaten bay filly, owned by Wathnan Racing and trained by Alban de Mieulle, stormed to an emphatic victory in the 1,400m race. Ridden by Soufiane Saadi, Chdia delivered a dominant performance, making a devastating challenge in the home straight and pulling clear to win by impressive 6½ lengths. In doing so, she completed a treble for the connections and a double for the jockey on the day.Nah’aab Al Shahania triumphed in the three-year-old Local Purebred Arabian Derby. On only his second career start, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al-Thani’s homebred son of Burning Sand showcased remarkable determination to claim the 1,400m race. The Rudy Nerbonne-trained colt responded very well to jockey Lukas Delozier and unleashed a late surge in the home straight, edging out Jahanara by a short head in a nail-biting finish.RESULTS 17th Al Rayyan Meeting – Qatar Derby(Horse, Trainer, Jockey)1. Qatar Derby, Thoroughbreds (QA Gr1), 3YOs, 2,100mSupercooled, Alban de Mieulle, James Doyle2. Qatar International Derby, Purebred Arabians (Gr2), 4YOs, 2,100mAl Zeer, Francois Rohaut, Guillaume Guedj3. Al Rayyan Stakes, Thoroughbreds, 2YOs, 1,400mRebel Diamond, Alban de Mieulle, James Doyle4. Qatar National Derby, Local Purebred Arabians, 4YOs, 2,100mAneed Al Shahania, Rudy Nerbonne, Lukas Delozier5. Qatar Purebred Arabian Derby (Gr3 PA), 3YOs, 1,400mChdia, Alban de Mieulle, Soufiane Saadi6. Local Purebred Arabian Derby, 3YOs, 1,400mNah’aab Al Shahania, Rudy Nerbonne, Lukas Delozier7. Local Thoroughbred Derby, 3YO, 2,100mKhisah, Bu Thaila, Alban De Mieulle8. Al Rayyan Thoroughbred Handicap Cup, 2YOs, 1,400mCurzon, Mohamed Ghazali, Ivan Rossi9. Derby Day Thoroughbred, Handicap Cup, 4YO+, 2,200mKovanot, Alban De Mieulle, Soufiane Saadi10. Local Thoroughbred Premium Maiden Cup, 3-6YOs, 1,400mMebsam, Jihad El Ahmad, Tomas Lukasek
December 27, 2024 | 11:47 PM