Al Uqda Racecourse, under the auspices of the Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club (QREC), came alive on Saturday, 27 December, as the Ras Mlaiji Cup meeting delivered a day packed with competitive spirit, memorable performances, and dramatic finishes across eight riveting races. Racing enthusiasts witnessed a perfect blend of seasoned campaigners and emerging stars, each striving to leave a mark on the high-quality dirt track.
The day’s feature, Race 8, the Ras Mlaiji Cup, saw Mubkhar Al Shahania dominate with authority, leaving the field behind to secure an emphatic victory. Carrying the colours of H.E. Sheikha Yasmeen bint Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Thani and expertly guided by Lukas Delozier for trainer Rudy Nerbonne, the 4-year-old grey colt completed the 2000m Local Purebred Arabian Handicap (65–85) in class 4 with poise, taking his third career win from just five starts.
Breaking alertly, Mubkhar Al Shahania surged to the lead early and dictated a confident tempo. Despite a brief challenge from Al Mutaghatris, the favourite quickened decisively in the home straight to cross the line two and a quarter lengths clear. AJS Najma, racing for Al Jeryan Stud, staged a late recovery to claim second, while Al Mutaghatris held on for third.
Maarek returned to form in the opening 2000m Purebred Arabian Handicap (45–65) for 3YO+ in Race 1, executing a decisive late surge to take the lead entering the straight. Ridden by Damien Morin for trainer Jihad El Ahmad, the 4-year-old bay colt held off Al Jaroudi and Al Eraq for a convincing victory by one and three-quarter lengths.
Hazm Al Uraiq, a 9-year-old chestnut veteran, rolled back the years in Race 2, the Local Thoroughbred Handicap (0–45) over 1200m, class 6, showing patience and late acceleration to secure his first win since the 2021/22 season. Veteran connections Alanoud Khalifa Al-Malki and Youssef Lachhab celebrated as Hazm Al Uraiq swept past Minsk and Conan Bu Thaila to claim the feature spot by two and a half lengths.
Salah Al Deen showed courage and perseverance to break his maiden in Race 3, the Thoroughbred Maiden Plate for 4–7YOs over 2000m, class 6, displaying determination in a pulsating finish. From the rear of the field, the 4-year-old bay colt produced a striking surge to edge out Fantastic Deal and Freedom Charter in a thrilling three-way finish.
Hay’er Al Shahania confirmed his rapid progress in Race 4, the Local Purebred Arabian Handicap (55–75) over 1200m, drawing clear to secure a decisive victory in a field of nine. The 3-year-old grey colt, guided by Salman Fahad Al-Hajri for trainer Abdulla Mesfer Al-Shahwani, showed authority in the straight to put the race beyond doubt.
Alnood built on her seasonal debut effort in Race 5, the Purebred Arabian Novice Plate for 4YOs over 2000m, class 5, to record a deserved success. The bay filly, ridden by Szczepan Mazur for trainer Julian Smart, produced a telling late surge to overcome Safeer Al Shahania and Fadi, asserting decisively to take the win by a length.
Rathmoy showed determination to shed his maiden tag in Race 6, the Thoroughbred Handicap (0–85) for 3YOs over 2000m, edging home by half a length. Settled in a handy position early, the bay gelding moved up in the straight to take the lead, holding off Lord Deputy and Ruling Master in a strong finish.
Townsend Manor produced a spectacular turn of foot in Race 7, the Thoroughbred Handicap (75–95) for 3YO+ over 1200m. The 4-year-old bay gelding, guided by Soufiane Saadi for trainer Gassim Al Ghazali, was held up early before unleashing a devastating burst in the home straight to sweep past the field and win by two lengths, completing a double on the day for his jockey.
The Ras Mlaiji Cup was capped by Mr Rashid Saed Adiba, Head of QREC Racing Operations Section, presenting the trophies to the feature winners, rounding off a memorable day of competitive racing.
The complete Qatar race results 27 December highlight Mubkhar Al Shahania’s Ras Mlaiji Cup triumph and all the memorable finishes at Al Uqda. For more stories, results, and updates from the world of horse racing, stay tuned to RaceBuzz.