QREC general manager Nasser Sherida al-Kaabi (third from left) is seen with the winners of the Brouq Cup at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday. At right: QREC general manager Nasser Sherida al-Kaabi (right) presents the Brouq Cup to Saad Mubarak al-Hajri, who received the trophy on behalf of Umm Qarn yesterday. PICTURES: Juhaim

By Chris Hoover/Doha

Alban de Mieulle trained Raedah (Djebbel-Daniah) put in a terrific stretch run to demolish the hopes of her rivals to clinch the Brouq Cup, a local bred Pure Arabian Conditions race for Fillies and Mares, which featured the races at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club yesterday.
Khafouqi shot into the lead and was closely followed by Raghed and the rest. Italian jockey Pier Convertino had Raedah in the fifth position, bidding his time to make the move. As the field entered the business end of the race, Raedah was alighted to the task on hand. The seven year old bay mares’ response was immediate as she shot past the front runners and went away to win by three and half length in a smart timing of one minute 18.78 seconds. Al Fakhamah improved towards the finish to take the runner-up berth from Hassiba, while Ras Al Qimmah was fourth.
HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al-Thani’s colours were prominent in the Pure Arabian Graduation Plate. They took the top three places in a field of nine. Ghazali trained Rasi took the first place ahead of Julian Smart schooled Wahchey and Al Khattaf. Rasi (Mared Al Sahra-Dixie Darlene) had finished fourth to AJS Al Rayyan in his previous start and came into this race with a splendid chance to take his first win in Qatar. Vit’al Fauquey set the tone for the 1,800 metres trip, closely followed by Rasi, Al Khattaf and Wahchey. With Vit’al Fauquey unable to maintain the momentum, Rasi was quick to take the initiative at the home turn. Though Wahchey came with a nice run, jockey Yanis Aouabed and Rasi were not going to be caught as the duo raced away to record a fluent win.
Ibrahim al-Malki trained Dardawan came with a brilliant burst of speed in the final furlong, overhauled the front runner and won the Thoroughbred Handicap for horses rated 55 to 75. The Abdullah Hassan Ali Abdulmalik owned Dardawan was ridden to victory by jockey Gary Carter. Kalahari Kingdom had taken charge and established an useful lead but was floored by Dardawan, which warmed up late but put in a terrific run to take his first career win in 15 starts.
Ghazali schooled Wonder Of Qatar showed a clean pair of heels as he posted a pillar to post victory in the Pure Arabian Maiden Plate. The Ghazali trainee was ridden to victory by Richard Mullen. Urban Dreams who cut pace with Wonder Of Qatar, was second ahead of Alsefra.
Ghazali nurtured Shaqran galloped to a stylish first victory in the Thoroughbred Maiden Plate. Settling in second behind leader Words Of Prophet, the Mansoor Ibrahim al-Mahmood owned Shaqran forged ahead soon on turning for home. Jockey Yanis Aouabed waited with the Ghazali trainee until well into the straight and when he began to urge Shaqran the Footstepinthesand progeny unleashed a terrific gallop to draw away and win as he pleased. Words Of Prophet stayed on to take the second place ahead of Bahamian Art.
Injaaz Stud’s Oasis Cannes (Stephane Ladjadj up) kept at bay the challenge of Star Deal and won the Thoroughbred Handicap for horses rated 85 to 105. Upholland also finished on well to finish a close third.
Zohair Moghsen schooled Ammon finally shed his maiden status with a narrow win over Bersha in the Local Thoroughbred Maiden Plate. Though Bersha tried runaway tactics, jockey Adrian Nicholls and Ammon lay unperturbed until the final furlong. As the race took a serious turn, Ammon quickly changed gears and went away to record a long awaited victory.
After this forward run, Bersha is capable of a winning performance when saddled next.
Yousef Bentaher saddled Sirat Al Naif was another which broke through the maiden ranks with a pillar to post victory in the Pure Arabian Maiden Plate.
Coming out well from an outside draw, Geralad Avranche had the Amer progeny take charge of the proceedings before passing the first furlong and stretched away in fine fashion to record his first win in eight starts. Dheeb Al Shajaa came with a late stretch run to finish a notable second.
RESULTS
1st race: Ammon (Adrian Nicholls) 1, Bersha 2, Saif Al Shujaa 3, Katara IV 4. Won by: 1 ¼, ½, 6. Time: 1:06.12. Trained by: Zohair Moghsen. Owned by: Hussain Ali Bukanan
2nd race: Sirat Al Naif (Gerald Avranche) 1, Dheeb Al Shajaa 2, Bahess Des Vialettes 3, Farashat Yasmina 4. Won by: ½, 4, ¾. Time: 1:29.08. Trained by: Yousef Bentaher. Owned by: Sheikh Rakan bin Abdulla bin Nasser al-Thani
3rd race: Shaqran (Yanis Aouabed) 1, Words Of Prophet 2, Bahamian Art 3, Umljnob 4. Won by: 7, 1 ¼, 1. Time: 1:12.04. Trained by: Jassim al-Ghazali. Owned by: Mansoor Ibrahim al-Mahmood
4th race: Rasi (Yanis Aouabed) 1, Wahchey 2, Al Khattaf 3, West De Faust 4. Won by: 1 ½, 2, Distance. Time: 2:04.20. Trained by: Jassim al-Ghazali. Owned by: HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al-Thani
5th race: Dardawan (Gary Carter) 1, Kalahari Kingdom 2, Dartford 3, Go For Broke 4. Won by: ¾, 5, 2. Time: 1:55.38. Trained by: Ibrahim al-Malki. Owned by: Abdullah Hassan Ali Abdulmalik
6th race: Wonder Of Qatar (Richard Mullen) 1, Urban Dreams 2, Alsefra 3, Gull Rock 4. Won by: 1 ¼, 2, Nk. Time: 1:04.37. Trained by: Jassim al-Ghazali. Owned by: HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al-Thani
7th race: Oasis Cannes (Stephane Ladjadj) 1, Star Deal 2, Upholland 3, Under The Radar 4. Won by: 1, Hd, 1. Time: 2:01.54. Trained by: Jassim al-Ghazali. Owned by: Injaaz Stud
8th race: Raedah (Pier Convertino) 1, Al Fakhamah 2, Hassiba 3, Ras Al Qimmah 4. Won by: 3 ½, Hd, 2. Time: 1:18.78. Trained by: Alban de Mieulle. Owned by: Umm Qarn