Derby night at Al Rayyan found its owner on Saturday, December 20, as the 26th Al Rayyan Race Meeting reached its natural conclusion at the Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club with sustained intensity and clear hierarchy. The evening built race by race before finding its defining statement in Race 10 – the Qatar Derby, where Aeon’s Aegis rose to the occasion to secure the USD 500,000 feature and place a decisive seal on the meeting. From early handicaps to elite Derby competition, the card reflected ambition, depth, and international quality, leaving little doubt about the stature of the occasion.
The intensity began immediately with Race 1 – the Al Rayyan Thoroughbred Handicap Cup worth USD 50,000, where Zoiros set the tone. Szczepan Mazur rode with intent for trainer Hamad Al-Jehani, guiding the winner past Dapper Charm and Marwaan to open the night with authority.
In Race 2 – the Local Thoroughbred Graduation Plate (USD 20,000), the Al-Jehani yard struck again as Saida, ridden by Saleh Faraj Al-Otaibi, proved too strong, holding Nooran at bay while Al Jalilah finished third.
The pressure continued to rise in Race 3 – the Derby Day Thoroughbred Handicap Cup (USD 30,000). Garden Route, partnered by Ivan Rossi and trained by Abdulla Al-Mulla, handled the challenge decisively, finishing ahead of Foehn and Just Bring It.
Derby focus sharpened in Race 4 – the Local Thoroughbred Derby (USD 75,000), where Best Way delivered a performance of composure and control. James Doyle, riding for Alban Elie De Mieulle, steered the winner past Sealine, with Ayash completing the frame.
That authority carried straight into Race 5 – the Local Purebred Arabian 3yo Derby, also worth USD 75,000. The Doyle–De Mieulle combination struck again as Zameer proved superior, defeating Qiltan and Shawaq Alseej in a race that reinforced their growing grip on the night.
International quality took command in Race 6 – the Qatar 3yo Purebred Arabian Derby (USD 100,000). Amjaad, ridden by Faleh Bughenaim and trained by Thomas Fourcy, rose cleanly to the occasion, holding off Khaddah, while Alsakib claimed third.
The atmosphere tightened further in Race 7 – the Qatar National Derby (USD 100,000), dominated by Zah’ran Al Shahania. With Pierre-Charles Boudot aboard and Hamad Al-Jehani training, the winner led home Fatack Al Shahania and Za’eer Al Shahania, delivering a statement steeped in national pride.
Class spoke loudly in Race 8 – the Al Rayyan Stakes (USD 150,000). Pacific Avenue, under William Buick for trainer Charlie Appleby, brought international polish to the track, finishing clear of August George, with Silca Blue in third.
By Race 9 – the Qatar International Derby (USD 200,000), the card had reached full tension. Lippo De Carrere, again with James Doyle in the saddle for Alban Elie De Mieulle, answered every question asked, defeating Shaihaan and Mac’zoom Al Shahania to set the stage for the final reckoning.
That reckoning arrived in Race 10 – the Qatar Derby. With USD 500,000 on the line, Aeon’s Aegis delivered a performance worthy of the occasion. Ridden by Soufiane Saadi and trained by Mohammed AlGhazali, the colt held firm under pressure to defeat Gladius, with Basalt in third, securing the richest prize of the night for owner Sheikh Abdul Rahman Rashid A M Al-Thani.
As Al Rayyan settled into the night, the meeting stood as more than a collection of results. It was a display of structure, ambition, and racing depth across Thoroughbred and Arabian divisions alike. From local promise to international polish, the 26th Al Rayyan Race Meeting delivered a Derby day worthy of its scale, leaving behind champions, statements, and a standard that will be difficult to ignore.
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