Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club Chairman Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al-Attiyah with the connections of Thaye after the Nasser Owaida Salem Al Hajri-owned mare won Al Thakira Cup. PICS: JUHAIM/QREC
Doha, Qatar: Thaye dominated the Al Thakira Cup with a commanding performance from the start, turning the feature race into a one-horse contest with a four-length victory at Al Rayyan Racecourse yesterday.
The five-year-old mare set the tempo in the 1700m Local Thoroughbred Premium Maiden, keeping control throughout the seven-runner contest.
Thaye, who is owned and trained by Nasser Owaida Salem Al Hajri and Owaida Salem Al Hajri respectively, with Abdulla Rashid Al-Hajri in the saddle, maintained her advantage under pressure before stretching clear in the final stages to secure her maiden success.
Air Force and Lazim attempted to stay in contention but were unable to match the winner’s pace. Ghara Alseej emerged as the closest finisher, taking second for Lekhreib Stud, trainer Abdulla Dhabit Aldosari and jockey Salman Fahad Al-Hajri.
Qahir followed in third, finishing three-quarters of a length behind under Szczepan Mazur for Al Jeryan Stud and trainer MHK Al Attiyah.
Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club Chairman Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al-Attiyah presented the Al Thakira Cup.
Abdulla Rashid Al-Hajri guides Thaye towards the finish line to win Al Thakira Cup.
The ninth race meeting featured an eight-race card, with several closely contested events.
Kadheem Al Shaqab scored a convincing 4½-length victory in the Maiden Local Purebred Arabian Show Horses for trainer Mohammed Moussa and jockey Dr Fahad Salman Al-Hajri.
September Leaves won the Thoroughbred Conditions for Fillies and Mares by 2¼ lengths under Marco Casamento for trainer Jassim Al Ghazali.
Al Mutaghatris secured a two-length success in the Local Purebred Arabian Handicap for trainer Hamad Al-Jehani and jockey Soufiane Saadi, while Noble Patron edged the Thoroughbred Handicap 60-80 by a head under Salman Fahad Al-Hajri for trainer Mohammed Balasim Al Jumaili.
Al Gamamah won the Local Thoroughbred Handicap 0-55 by 1¾ lengths for trainer Ibrahim Saeed Ibrahim Al Malki and jockey Patrick Cosgrave.
Billythekid Pompadour took the Purebred Arabian Handicap 50-70 by half a length under Alberto Sanna for trainer Mohd Ahmed Mohd Hasan Al-Sulaiti.
Harmonised set the pace for a thrilling meeting, producing a strong performance to win the Thoroughbred Handicap 0-60 by 4¾ lengths for trainer Al-Jehani and jockey Nicolas Baudet.
