Wathnan Racing’s Torkia wins feature for Al Jumail Cup
TORKIA produced an excellent race in the feature event to win the Al Jumail Cup, a 1400m Graduation for four year-old+ Local Thoroughbred Fillies & Mares at the Al Uqda Complex on Wednesday.
Under jockey Ronan Thomas, the four-year-old filly waited until the final 300m and stormed to impressively win by four and a half lengths, completing a treble on the day for Wathnan Racing and trainer Alban de Mieulle.
In the penultimate race of the day, Jockey Faleh Bughanaim made it a double as he partnered Three Quarter Racing’s Poderoso to win the 1200m Handicap (75-95) for four-year-old+ Thoroughbreds by a quarter of a length for trainer Owaida Salem alHajri.
Earlier, the 1200m Handicap (0-70) for three-year-old + Thoroughbreds saw a thrilling finish with three horses battling
in the closing stages and it was Hamad bin Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al Attiya’s Master Of Brazil, who stole a march to win for trainer Jassim Ghazali and give jockey Hugo Besnier another winner on the day. The five-year-old prevailed by a head from Cobber Kain, who in turn was only a short head in front of Al Fahdaa.
Al Shaqab Racing’s homebred
Wadhnan, trained by Eric Lemartinel and ridden by Faleh Bughanaim, held on gamely in the straight to win the 2200m Handicap (0-75) for four-year-old+ Thoroughbreds by half a length after taking charge of proceedings in the final furlong.
Al Rakaben Stud’s Nadir won the 1400m Novice for four-year-old Purebred Arabians.
Under jockey Hugo Besnier, the Dr. Fahad Salman al Hajri-trained bay colt kicked clear in the final furlong to win by two and a half lengths.
It was a quick-fire double for the combination of Wathnan Racing, trainer Alban de Mieulle and jockey Soufiane Saadi as Matawar made a successful debut, giving
the trio another winner with a one-and-a-quarterlength win in the 1400m Maiden for three-year-old Local Thoroughbreds.
In the first race of the day, Wathnan Racing’s Nesrine gave trainer Alban de Mieulle and jockey Soufiane Saadi a flying start to the meeting. The four-year-old filly drew three and a half lengths clear of the field in the 1400m Maiden for four to six year old Local Purebred Arabians.
Al Uqda Complex Manager Abdulaziz Jassim al-Boenain presented the trophies to the winners.
12th Race Meeting - Al Jumail Cup Horse; Jockey; Trainer
1 - Al Jumail Cup - Local Thoroughbred Graduation Plate (Fillies & Mares): Torkia, Alban Elie De Mieulle, Ronan Thomas
2 - Thoroughbred Handicap 7595 (Class 3): Poderoso, Owaida Salem Al Hajri, Faleh Bughanaim
3 - Thoroughbred Handicap 0-70 (Class 5): Master Of Brazil, Gassim Ghazali, Hugo Besnier
4 - Thoroughbred Handicap 0-75 (Class 5): Wadhnan, Eric Lemartinel, Faleh Bughanaim
5 - Purebred Arabian Novice Plate (4yo Only): Nadir, Dr. Fahad Salman Al Hajri, Hugo Besnier
6 - Local Thoroughbred Maiden Plate (3yo Only): Matawar, Alban Elie De Mieulle, Souiane Saadi
7- Local Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate: Nesrine, Alban Elie De Mieulle, Souiane Saadi.