Doha, Qatar – The prestigious Ain Khaled Cup Day at Al Rayyan Racecourse on Wednesday, 7th May, delivered an unforgettable evening of racing, with eight highly competitive races run on dirt. As the penultimate raceday of the 2024/2025 season, the action was packed with excitement, surprises, and remarkable performances, setting the stage for a thrilling season finale tomorrow.
The feature race of the day, the Ain Khaled Cup for 3YO Thoroughbreds over 1200m, was a true spectacle. Billboard Star (Advertise x Lightsome) made a sensational return to winning ways under jockey Soufiane Saadi. After tracking the leader Weissmuller (Bungleinthejungle) throughout, Billboard Star surged ahead in the final strides to win by half a length, delivering a second victory on the evening for trainer Mohammed Al Ghazali and Saadi. Weissmuller held on for second, while Curzon (Advertise) finished third, marking a strong showing from the trainer’s stable.
Earlier in the evening, Funny Bunny (Trade Storm x Media Book) opened the card with a commanding victory in the Thoroughbred Handicap for 3YO+ over 1900m. The 4YO gelding, owned and trained by Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki, burst through the field under Trevor Patel to win by a remarkable five and a quarter lengths, marking his second career win.
In the Purebred Arabian Handicap, HM Zabraj (TM Fred Texas x Al Jarya) proved his tenacity, clinching his third win of the season. Under the guidance of jockey Marco Casamento, HM Zabraj fought off challenges to win by a narrow quarter of a length, securing a thrilling finish in the second race of the evening.
The third race saw Silencer (Kessaar x Lady Lizabeth) take the lead early and never look back. The 5YO gelding set the pace and held off late challengers to claim his first win of the season, delivering a front-running victory under Alberto Sanna. Silencer’s success marked his third career win, showcasing his determination and tactical speed.
In the Class 5 Purebred Arabian Novice Plate, Al Ghassam La Gloire (AF AlBahar x Raleuse De Faust) made a dominant breakthrough, winning by an impressive seven and a half lengths to shed his maiden tag. Ridden by Marco Casamento, the 4YO colt surged clear in the final straight, delivering a powerful performance that left his rivals trailing.
Rayyan Bu Thaila (Bated Breath x Facade) put in a superb performance in the Local Thoroughbred Novice Plate, winning by two lengths in the fifth race. The 4YO gelding, owned by Injaaz Stud, demonstrated a sharp turn of foot under Alberto Sanna, securing his second career win.
The next race witnessed a thrilling display from Al Mutaghatris (No Risk Al Maury x Ramdha), who resumed his winning streak with a powerful late run. The 5YO gelding, trained by Julian Smart, surged past the leaders in the final stages to claim victory by two lengths, marking his third career win.
Finally, Thor’s Hammer (Night Of Thunder x Kozy) claimed the penultimate race with a gutsy performance. In a tight finish, the 4YO gelding, guided by Soufiane Saadi, edged out Coco Jack (Wings Of Eagles) by half a length, securing his second win of the season.
As the 2024/2025 season draws to a close, Ain Khaled Cup Day highlighted the thrilling competition and competitive spirit that defines Qatar’s racing scene. The final raceday promises more high-octane action, with every race a potential showdown. QREC Racing Manager Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi was on hand to crown the winners, capping a day of exciting victories and remarkable athleticism.
