Balzac retains Al Rayyan Breeders Cup at Amir Sword

Balzac showcased his class once again, successfully defending the Al Rayyan Breeders Cup for Local Thoroughbreds, on the second day of the HH The Amir Sword Festival on Friday.
At the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC)’s Al Rayyan Racecourse, the seven-year-old runner – owned by Wathnan Racing and trained by Alban de Mieulle – was expertly ridden by Soufiane Saadi, who guided him to victory for the second consecutive year. Balzac powered home in the final stages to score by three lengths, rounding off the day’s racing and completing a remarkable hat-trick for his owner, trainer and jockey.
Hamad bin Abdulrahman al-Attiya, President of the Asian Equestrian Federation and Vice-Chairman of QREC, crowned the winners.
In the penultimate race of the day, Aneed Al Shahania maintained his perfect record, securing his fourth straight victory with a commanding performance in the Al Zubara Trophy for Local Purebred Arabians. Owned by Sheikha Reem bint Mohammed bin Khalifa al-Thani and trained by Rudy Nerbonne, the talented five-year-old runner, guided by Lukas Delozier, timed his challenge to perfection. Settling off the pace, he unleashed a strong late charge in the home straight, surging past his rivals to win by one and a half lengths. Issa bin Mohammed al-Mohannadi, QREC Chairman, crowned the winners.
In a sensational conclusion to the Listed Purebred Arabian Sprint Cup, Posuelo Py snatched victory in a photo finish, marking a return to winning ways. Owned by Ibrahim Mohammed M I al-Fadala and trained by Hamad al-Jehani, the seven-year-old gelding produced a determined late surge under Szczepan Mazur to prevail by a nose in a blanket finish, with only a neck further back to the third. The victory secured a quick-fire double for Mazur and completed his hat-trick on the day.
Earlier in the day, Chdia maintained her flawless record and impressive strike rate with a commanding victory in the Purebred Arabian Filly and Mare Seada Cup. The Wathnan Racing-owned four-year-old filly extended her unbeaten streak to four career wins, delivering a second triumph on the day for owner, trainer Alban de Mieulle, and jockey Soufiane Saadi.
Hitting the lead in the home straight, she proved untouchable, pulling clear to win by three and a half lengths.
In the opening race of the day, Greer delivered a determined performance to win the Thoroughbred Open Sprint Cup. Trained by Mohammed Ghazali, who once again made a flying start to the day as he did on Friday, the four-year-old colt built on his second seasonal start with a well-timed finish. Under Tom Marquand, he picked up momentum in the final 100m, overtaking the leader to secure victory by half a length for owner Nasser Saif A R al-Kubaisi.
Lippo De Carrere also extended his unbeaten record in Qatar with a dominant performance in the Purebred Arabian Cup. The four-year-old colt, owned by Wathnan Racing and trained by Alban de Mieulle, surged to a commanding 5-length victory under jockey Soufiane Saadi. This win marked his second straight triumph, further enhancing his impressive record with three wins from four career starts.
Al Shomos claimed a hard-fought win in the Local Thoroughbred Filly and Mare Desert Rose Cup, edging out last year’s winner, Maysara, by a nose.
The veteran 1o-year-old mare, owned by Saeed bin Mubarak Saeed Aljafali al-Naimi and trained by Ahmed Kobeissi, displayed remarkable determination, sprouting wings in the final strides under jockey Faleh Bughanaim to secure her second straight win.
Al Jeryan Stud’s AJS Agadir claimed an impressive victory in the Local Purebred Arabian Filly and Mare Al Na’ama Cup, securing her second consecutive win. The five-year-old mare, trained by M H K al-Attiyah, tracked the leader throughout the race. At the final bend, she displayed a remarkable turn of foot to take the lead and hold it, ultimately winning by two and a quarter length under jockey Szczepan Mazur.