A performance for the ages. The legendary Al Ghadeer cemented his status as one of the all-time greats, carrying Al Shaqab Racing’s silks to an unprecedented achievement — retaining the prestigious HH The Amir Sword and the Doha Triple Crown for the second year running on the last day of the HH The Amir Sword Festival at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC)’s Al Uqda Racecourse yesterday.
With a masterful ride from Christophe Soumillon, Al Shaqab Racing-owned and Francois Rohaut-trained superstar joins an exclusive club of legends, proving once again that he is a force beyond compare.
His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani presented the Sword and the Doha Triple Crown to HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani and His Excellency’s sons, following Al Ghadeer’s victory in the Sword race, sponsored by QNB.
Abdulla bin Mubarak al-Khalifa, CEO of QNB Group; Issa bin Mohamed al-Mohannadi, QREC Chairman; and Hamad bin Abdulrahman al-Attiya, President of the Asian Equestrian Federation and Vice-Chairman of QREC; were present during the trophy presentation ceremony.
Al Ghadeer had won the Qatar International Stakes at Qatar Goodwood Festival in UK on July 31, 2024 and claimed the Qatar World Cup for Purebred Arabian Horses at Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in France last October. These two races along with the HH The Amir Sword complete the Doha Triple Crown.
Godolphin’s Rebel’s Romance cemented his dominance by claiming the HH The Amir Trophy for the second year in a row. The seven-year-old gelding showcased his class once again, securing his seventh victory in just 10 starts and completing a double on the big day for trainer Charlie Appleby and jockey William Buick.
His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani presented the trophy to Ali al-Ali, CEO of Dubai Racing Club, who received the trophy on behalf of the owner. Issa bin Mohammed al-Mohannadi, QREC Chairman, and Hamad bin Abdulrahman al-Attiya, President of the Asian Equestrian Federation and Vice-Chairman of QREC, were present during the trophy presentation ceremony. The Nasser Abdulla A A al-Mesned-owned Bianca De Ghazal continued her sensational rise, claiming the HH The Amir Silver Sword for the four-year-old Purebred Arabians. The Xavier-Thomas Demeaulte-trained grey filly, under a brilliant ride from Jim Crowley, came thundering like a storm in the home straight, powering past the leaders to win the 2100m race by a length, recording her second straight win on just her third career start.
His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani presented HH The Silver Sword to al-Mesned. Ramez al-Khayyat, Vice-Chairman of Baladna; Issa bin Mohammed al-Mohannadi, QREC Chairman; and Hamad bin Abdulrahman al-Attiya, President of the Asian Equestrian Federation and Vice-Chairman of QREC; were present during the trophy presentation ceremony.
The Al Jeryan Stud-owned Aafoor won the HH The Amir Shalfa with a brilliant performance, making it two wins in a row. The four-year-old colt, patiently ridden by Pierre Charles Boudot, bided his time before unleashing an impressive turn of foot in the closing stages to win the 2,100m Thoroughbred Open Handicap by a length for trainer M H K al-Attiyah
RESULTS
26th Al Rayyan Race Meeting - HH The Amir Sword and Trophy
WINNERS: (Horse, Trainer, Jockey)
1 - HH The Amir Sword, Purebred Arabians (Gr1-PA)
Al Ghadeer, Francois Rohaut, Christophe Soumillon
2 - HH The Amir Trophy, Thoroughbreds (QA-Gr1)
Rebel’s Romance, Charlie Appleby, William Buick
3 - HH The Amir Silver Sword, Purebred Arabians
Bianca De Ghazal, Xavier-Thomas Demeaulte, Jim Crowley
4 - HH The Amir Shalfa, Thoroughbred Open Handicap (85 and above)
Aafoor, M H K al-Attiyah, Pierre Charles Boudot
5 - Al Rayyan Mile, Thoroughbreds (QA-Gr2)
Al Qudra, Charlie Appleby, William Buick
6 - Dukhan Sprint, Thoroughbreds (QA-Gr3)
Rogue Lightning, Tom Clover, Mickael Barzalona
7 - Qatar International Cup, Purebred Arabians
Al Wakrah, Jean de Mieulle, Olivier d’Andigne
Race 8: Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cup, Thoroughbreds (QA-Gr2) (on Saturday)
General Panic, Ibrahim Saeed al-Malki, Tomas Lukasek