Doha, Qatar – Wathnan Racing dominated the prestigious H H Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani Cup at Al Rayyan Racecourse yesterday, securing multiple victories including the feature Gr2 Purebred Arabian race with Intisar De Monlau. His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani presented the awards to the winning owners, trainers, and jockeys, marking a significant day in Qatar’s racing calendar. Jockey James Doyle also enjoyed a highly successful day, riding four winners across the nine-race card.
The event, held on January 4th, showcased top Arabian and Thoroughbred horses competing for coveted titles. QREC Vice Chairman Rashid bin Nasser Sraiya Al Kaabi was also in attendance to honor the achievements of the participants. The day’s races drew considerable attention from racing enthusiasts both locally and internationally.
Intisar De Monlau Claims the H H Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani Cup
Intisar De Monlau, a 5-year-old bay mare, delivered a thrilling performance in the H H Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani Cup. Held back in the early stages of the race, the mare unleashed a powerful late surge under the guidance of James Doyle, ultimately winning by a neck. Trainer Alban de Mieulle skillfully prepared Intisar De Monlau for the challenging race, according to reports from The Peninsula.
Wathnan Racing’s Consistent Success
Wathnan Racing’s strong showing extended beyond the feature race, with Arman winning the Local Purebred Arabians. This victory followed a close second-place finish for Arman in the same race last year, demonstrating a marked improvement in the horse’s performance. The consistent success enjoyed by Wathnan Racing highlights the quality of their breeding and training programs.
Posuelo Py also secured a win for the stable in the Majd Al Arab Sprinter Cup, finishing 2 ½ lengths ahead of the competition. Doyle further added to Wathnan Racing’s tally with a win aboard Equinoxe in the Local Thoroughbred Open Race for the French King Cup, dominating the race by five lengths.
Earlier in the day, Taftan, trained by Hamad Al-Jehani and ridden by Pierre Charles Boudot, narrowly won the H H Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani Silver Cup for 4-year-old Purebred Arabians, prevailing by a head. Meanwhile, Foehn, with Gavin Matt Ryan as jockey, emerged victorious in the Umm Qarn Trophy for Thoroughbred Open Race, winning by a nose. Basalt and Pearling Path also secured wins in their respective Thoroughbred Handicap races, and National Park took the title in the Thoroughbred Novice Plate.
The Al Sabiq Championship, a traditional contest held alongside the main races, also concluded. Ali Mohammed Ali Al Otibi, Saud Rashid Mohammed Meteb Al Saaq, Faleh Faraj Saleh Al Otibi and Fahad Saad Hamad Al Dosari secured the top four positions riding AJ S Najd, Kahilan Al Sakab, Nawasi and Kasban respectively.
Qatar’s racing scene has been experiencing significant growth in recent years, attracting international attention and investment. The increasing popularity of Purebred Arabian racing, alongside established Thoroughbred events, contributes to this momentum. This event is part of QREC’s broader strategy to promote equestrian sports and position Qatar as a leading hub for horse racing.
Looking ahead, QREC is expected to announce the schedule for upcoming races in February. The performance of Wathnan Racing and James Doyle will be closely watched as they aim to maintain their winning streak. Further developments in Qatar’s equestrian infrastructure and international partnerships are also anticipated, potentially leading to even larger and more prestigious racing events in the future.
