QOC President Crowns Winners of His Excellency's Trophy, Rifle in Doha

Winners of His Excellency Trophy

HE President of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani crowned the winners of His Excellency's Trophy and Rifle, as well as the champions of the Al Sabiq Heritage Championship, which was held as part of Saturday's race programme at the Al Rayyan Grass Track of the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club.

The race featured 10 highly competitive and awe-inspiring rounds, marked by strong performances from owners, trainers, and jockeys alike, particularly amid the outstanding atmosphere that accompanied the event from its outset through to the two main ninth and tenth rounds.

The race saw clear dominance by Wathnan Racing, supervised by trainer Alban de Mieulle, which secured first place in seven of the ten rounds. Meanwhile, Al Jaryan Stud left its mark on the event by clinching HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani's Rifle for the second consecutive year, following victory in the feature tenth round.

The coronation began with the Al Sabiq Heritage Championship, where HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani crowned the top four finishers, in the presence of Vice Chairman of the Board of the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) Rashid bin Nasser Saree Al Kaabi, and Deputy Chief Executive Officer of QREC Ahmed Amanullah Al Shaibani.

The top four positions were claimed, respectively, by Mohammed Kam'aan Saeed Al Khayarin Al Hajri aboard Malzoom; Ali Mohammed Ali Al Musallat Al Otaibi aboard Sher Khan; Mohammed Faisal Abdulhadi Al Ghufrani Al Marri aboard Mahjooba; and Saud Rashid Mohammed Muteb Al Saaq aboard Kahilan Al Sakb.

HE Sheikh Joaan also crowned the winners of His Excellency's Prize for Purebred Arabian Horses, Category Three (Ninth Round). The prize was received by Sheikh Abdullah bin Tamim Al-Thani and Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Jassim Al-Thani, on behalf of the winning owner, Wathnan Racing.

In addition, HE Sheikh Joaan crowned the winners of His Excellency's Rifle for Thoroughbred Horses (Tenth Round). The rifle was received by Mohammed Hamad Khalifa Al Attiyah on behalf of the winning owner, Al Jaryan Stud.

The two main rounds witnessed intense competition. In the ninth round, held for HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani's Prize for Purebred Arabian Horses, Category Three, for horses aged four years and above over 2,200 metres, Wathnan Racing claimed the title for the fourth consecutive year, supervised by trainer Alban de Mieulle, through the horse Libeau de Carrère, ridden by Soufiane Saadi.

Second place went to Aneed Al Shahania, owned by HE Sheikha Reem bint Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Thani, trained by Rudy Andre Nerbonne, and ridden by Lucas de Lousier, while third place was secured by RB Marie Laila, owned by Wathnan Racing, trained by Alban de Mieulle, and ridden by James Doyle.

The tenth and feature round, contested for HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani's Rifle for Thoroughbred Horses, for horses aged four years and above over 2,200 metres, saw Al Jaryan Stud retain the rifle for the second consecutive year, with the same horse and last year's champion, Afour.

The horse successfully defended its title, delivering a powerful performance marked by remarkable resilience and composure in the closing stages, surging to the lead and holding it amid strong collective competition.

The victory was secured by a neck margin, under the guidance of trainer Mohammed Hamad Khalifa Al Attiyah and jockey Stephan Mazure, following an extremely fierce duel near the finish line with Simca Mile, owned by Wathnan Racing, trained by Alban de Mieulle, and ridden by James Doyle, who finished second.

Third place went to Assault, owned by Mansour bin Ibrahim bin Saad Al Mahmoud, trained by Jassim Al Ghazali, and ridden by Marco Casamento.

In addition to the two main feature races, eight supporting races were staged across varying distances and age categories for Arabian and Thoroughbred horses.

The early races highlighted strong performances by locally bred female horses, with decisive finishes after tightly contested early stages.

One race saw a dominant straight-track surge in the final stretch, sealing victory by a clear margin after a mid-pack run.

The sprint event delivered a high-tempo showdown, where the winner accelerated sharply in the closing metres to secure a narrow but convincing win.

A younger horse category underscored consistency and tactical discipline, with the top finisher extending an unbeaten record outside the top two positions.

Mid-card races confirmed the sustained supremacy of one leading racing operation, which continued to top the standings despite challenging gate positions.

The final supporting races reinforced that dominance, as victories were clinched through composure, teamwork, and decisive execution on the track, capping off a commanding overall showing.

(QNA)