Phoebus wins Al Wajba Trophy as Dark Trooper captures Sealine Sprint crown

Doha, Qatar: Phoebus produced a superb performance to capture the Al Wajba Trophy while Dark Trooper seized the Sealine Sprint Trophy in the Qatar Gold Sword and Trophy Meeting (Div1) at Al Uqda Racecourse yesterday.

Hamad Al Jehani-trained Phoebus, ridden by Alberto Sanna, rounded off the opening day of the prestigious meet in style. The action-packed day saw four races with the eagerly anticipated Qatar Gold Trophy and Qatar Gold Sword scheduled at the same venue today.

Phoebus, owned by Al Falah Stud, made a powerful surge in the final 100 meters after moving around the home bend to edge past the long-time leader Suhail Star, ridden by Szczepan Mazur. The thrilling 3YO Thoroughbreds race, held over 2100 meters, saw a series of challengers closing in during the final stretch but Phoebus secured the win by three-quarters of a length. Curzon, with Pierre Charles Boudot aboard, finished third, just half a length behind the runner-up.

The connections of Phoebus celebrate with the trophies.

In the penultimate race of the day, Wathnan Racing’s Dark Trooper clinched the Sealine Sprint Trophy with a similar margin over Taxiwala, completing a quick-fire double for the owners and trainer Alban de Mieulle.

The five-year-old gelding, expertly guided by jockey Soufiane Saadi, showed blistering pace in the final 100 meters of the 1200m Open Sprint for 3YO+ Thoroughbreds to secure an impressive victory. Another Wathnan Racing horse, Jayyash, claimed third place, one length behind Taxiwala, ridden by Boudot.

Soufiane Saadi steers Dark Trooper to Sealine Sprint Trophy win.

Equinoxe shines, Sejjel claims emphatic win

Wathnan Racing and trainer Alban de Mieulle celebrated their first victory of the day when Equinoxe triumphed in the 2100m Local Thoroughbred Cup, also winning by three-quarters of a length.

Tomas Lukasek was in the saddle as the eight-year-old showcased his customary late surge to claim the win for the fifth consecutive year. Al Faisal finished in second place, while Rayyan Bu Thaila came in third, just a quarter of a length behind the runner-up.

Meanwhile, the opening contest saw Al Shaqab Racing’s Sejjel make an unforgettable impression, dominating the 1400m Purebred Arabian Premium Maiden Cup for 4-year-olds with an impressive six-and-a-half-length victory. 

Trained by Jean de Mieulle and ridden by Olivier d’Andigne, Sejjel looked a class apart from his rivals as he powered ahead in the home straight to claim victory in only his third career start.

Jassim Ghazali-trained Safeer Al Shahania, ridden by Marco Casamento, secured second place, while Texas Pride, under Arnaud De Lepine, finished in third.

41st Al Rayyan Race Meeting - Qatar Gold Sword and Trophy (Div 1)

WINNERS: (Horse, Trainer, Jockey)

Al Wajba Trophy - 3yo Thoroughbreds (Class 1)

Phoebus, Hamad Al Jehani, Alberto Sanna

Sealine Sprint Trophy - Thoroughbred Open Cup (Class 2)

Dark Trooper, Alban Elie De Mieulle, Soufiane Saadi

Local Thoroughbred Cup (Class 1)

Equinoxe, Alban Elie De Mieulle, Tomas Lukasek

Purebred Arabian Premium Maiden Plate Cup (Class 6)

Sejjel, Jean de Mieulle, Olivier d’Andigne

Today’s Schedule (Div 2)

Qatar Silver Trophy - Local Purebred Arabian (Class 1)

Qatar Silver Sword - 4yo Purebred Arabian (Class 1)

Qatar Gold Trophy - Thoroughbred (Class 1 Qa-Gr1) International Race

Qatar Gold Sword - Purebred Arabian (Class 1 Gr1) International Race