Al Wasmi storms to Loyalty Cup win; Al Jehani seals quadruple

Doha: Al Wasmiyah Farm-owned Al Wasmi stormed home to clinch the Loyalty Cup by a quarter of a length as the 30th Al Rayyan Race Meeting concluded on a high note on turf at the Al Uqda Racecourse yesterday.

The centerpiece of a thrilling nine-race card, a Local Purebred Arabian Graduation Plate for four-year-olds over 2100m, saw the Mohammed Ghazali-trained bay gelding recording his second career win in three starts, this time under expert guidance of Marco Casamento.

Earlier, trainer Hamd Al Jehani enjoyed a jubilant day with four winners.

Jockey Marco Casamento guides Al Wasmi towards the finish line in the feature. 

He struck first in the opening race of the day, a Thoroughbred Maiden Plate over 1400m, as Weissmuller prevailed under Saleh Salem Al Marri by half a length. In the Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate (1400m), Angus secured the victory by three-quarters of a length under Pierre Charles Boudot earning Al Jehani his second win of the day.

Al Jehani’s third success came in the Thoroughbred Handicap 75-95, 2200m, as Boudot-ridden Thunder Flow edged out the runner-up by a nose. Al Jehani’s quadruple was completed in the penultimate race of the day, Purebred Arabian Conditions 1400m, when Shgarde was ridden to success by Boudot.

Among other winners of the day were Makarem Al Shahania who dominated the Local Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate 1400m by two and a quarter lengths under jockey Lukas Delozier and Suhail Star who landed Thoroughbred Handicap 0-75 1400m by three-quarters of a length with Boudot in the saddle. Jefferson Smith-ridden Saqr captured the Purebred Arabian Handicap 65-85 1400m by a head while Ends Of The Earth, with Delozier in the saddle, snatched the victory in the Thoroughbred Handicap 80-100 1400m by half a length.

Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club’s Registration and Studbook Department Deputy Director Saad Ali Al Kubaisi crowned the winners at the end of the thrilling day of racing.