An evening of measured progression and competitive depth is set to unfold at the Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club (QREC) on Thursday, February 5, as Al Rayyan stages its 46th Race Meeting at Al Uqda. Running from 2:30pm to 6:35pm, the eight-race programme blends Purebred Arabian and Thoroughbred contests across multiple classes, building steadily toward the feature Race 8, the Al Markhiya Cup, a Class 2 sprint for three-year-old Thoroughbreds carrying prize money of 100,000 QAR. With balance, distance variety, and a strong closing contest, the meeting is positioned to deliver sustained quality through the afternoon and into the evening.
The card opens at 2:30pm with Race 1, the Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate, a Class 6 contest for fillies and mares over 1400 metres. Fourteen runners are set to contest the 45,000 QAR prize, making it an early test of composure and tactical positioning for lightly raced Arabian fillies and mares.
At 3:05pm, attention shifts to Thoroughbreds in Race 2, the Thoroughbred Maiden Plate, also a Class 6 event. Eleven runners will tackle the longer 2200-metre distance for a 45,000 QAR purse, a race likely to place emphasis on stamina and race rhythm rather than early speed.
The tempo increases in Race 3 at 3:40pm, with the Thoroughbred Handicap 0–60 over 1400 metres. Fourteen runners line up in this Class 6 contest, again competing for 45,000 QAR, offering an open and competitive handicap scenario in the middle of the card.
Purebred Arabians return in Race 4 at 4:15pm, the Local Purebred Arabian Handicap 55–75, a Class 5 event over 2200 metres. Eleven runners will contest the 50,000 QAR prize, with the step up in class expected to reward horses showing consistency at intermediate distances.
Progression continues in Race 5 at 4:50pm, the Local Thoroughbred Handicap 0–60, a Class 4 contest over 2200 metres. Nine runners will compete for 55,000 QAR, with the race positioned as a bridge between the developing handicappers and the higher-class events to follow.
The quality lifts further in Race 6 at 5:25pm, the Purebred Arabian Handicap 80–100, a Class 2 race over 1400 metres. Seven runners are set to chase a substantial 85,000 QAR purse, marking one of the strongest Arabian contests on the card.
Stamina becomes the defining factor in Race 7 at 6:00pm, the Thoroughbred Handicap 80–105, a Class 2 event over a demanding 3000 metres. With only four runners declared and 85,000 QAR on offer, this race is expected to hinge on pace judgement and staying power.
The meeting concludes at 6:35pm with Race 8, the Al Markhiya Cup, the feature Class 2 contest for three-year-old Thoroughbreds over 1200 metres. Ten runners will compete for the 100,000 QAR prize, and the field brings together a compelling mix of speed and emerging talent.
Calafiori and My George represent the Mohammed AlGhazali stable under Lukas Delozier and Soufiane Saadi respectively, while Fine Art Dealer and Wonderful Friend, trained by Hamad Al-Jehani, are partnered by Saleh Faraj Al-Otaibi and Arnaud De Lepine. Kamakameleon and Rose Of Spain fly the flag for Hadi Al Ramzani with Pierre Charles Boudot and Faleh Bughenaim aboard. Additional depth comes from Neebrook for Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki, Sands Of Spain trained by Mohammed Hussain Afroz, Silca Blue from the Gassim AlGhazali yard, and Son Of Sarabi representing Bader Al Balushi.
With a clear upward trajectory in class, btoalanced race conditions, and a well-supported feature sprint, the Qatar Racecards 5 February at Al Uqda are set to deliver a composed and competitive evening of racing that reflects the growing depth of Qatar’s programme.
For more stories, results, and updates from the world of horse racing, stay tuned to RaceBuzz.