Doha, Qatar – Aeon’s Aegis secured a dominant victory in the QA Gr1 Qatar Derby at Al Rayyan Racecourse yesterday, marking his second consecutive win after triumphing in the Derby Trial. Jockey Soufiane Saadi expertly guided the Shikh Abdul Rahman Rashid A M Al-Thani-owned gelding to a 3½-length win, solidifying its position as a leading three-year-old Thoroughbred. The Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club (QREC) hosted the Qatar International Derby Day featuring several prestigious races.
The race, held December 21, 2023, saw a strong performance from several contenders, but Aeon’s Aegis ultimately proved superior. Trainer Mohammed al-Ghazali celebrated the win, receiving the trophy from Abdulrahman bin Abdulla Al-Malki, Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Sports and Youth, alongside QREC Acting CEO Bader bin Mohammed Al-Darwish.
Aeon’s Aegis Claims Victory in Thrilling Qatar Derby
The Qatar Derby is a key event in the Arabian racing calendar, attracting both local and international talent. Aeon’s Aegis demonstrated exceptional speed and stamina, surging from the rear of the field in the home straight to overtake competitors. This win underscores the increasing prominence of Qatar as a hub for Thoroughbred racing and breeding.
However, the day’s racing wasn’t solely focused on Thoroughbreds. Wathnan Racing’s Lippo De Carrere clinched the Gr2 Purebred Arabian feature for four-year-olds, narrowly winning by a neck. The colt, trained by Alban de Mieulle and ridden by James Doyle, edged out his half-brother, Shaihaan, in a particularly exciting finish.
Dominant Performance by Wathnan Racing
Wathnan Racing enjoyed a highly successful day overall, with victories in multiple races. Zameer, also trained by Alban de Mieulle and ridden by James Doyle, maintained an unbeaten record with a decisive win in the Local Purebred Arabian three-year-old Derby. This victory added to Wathnan Racing’s growing reputation for producing top-quality Arabian horses.
Further showcasing their strength, Best Way continued Wathnan Racing’s winning streak, winning the 1850m Derby for three-year-olds. This marked the third consecutive year the owner-trainer-jockey combination has secured this particular title. The consistency of the Wathnan team highlights the investment and dedication to the sport within Qatar.
Elsewhere on Derby Day, Pacific Avenue, ridden by William Buick and trained by Charlie Appleby, won the Al Rayyan Stakes for two-year-old Thoroughbreds. Al Shaqab Racing also saw success with Amjaad winning the Qatar three-year-old Purebred Arabian Derby (Gr3 PA). Zah’ran Al Shahania continued the theme of undefeated champions, winning the Qatar National Derby for Local Purebred Arabians. Complete race results are available on The Peninsula Qatar.
Looking ahead, the QREC will likely continue to focus on attracting high-caliber international participation to its events, further elevating Qatar’s profile in the global equestrian community. Future races will be closely watched to see if Aeon’s Aegis can maintain its form and compete at the highest levels, and to observe the continued development of promising young horses within the region. The long-term impact of Wathnan Racing’s successes on the local breeding programs remains to be seen, but is certain to be a factor in upcoming competitions.
