The Qatar and Equestrian Club is all set to host the 46th edition of the Al Rayyan Race Meeting, an event that continues to celebrate Qatar’s rich heritage in equine sport. Scheduled for May 3, 2025, the evening promises a lineup of seven competitive races, each drawing attention with its own charm and stakes. The action-packed night will begin at 5:45 PM and conclude by 9:15 PM, with racing enthusiasts expected to witness a thrilling showcase of speed and strategy under the lights.
The highlight of the evening is the Asherij Cup, a Class 3 Local Purebred Arabian Handicap open to horses rated 65 to 90. Slated as the final race at 9:15 PM, it will be contested over a 1200-meter dirt track. The stakes are high, with a total purse of 120,000 QAR. The prize pool will be distributed among the top five finishers, with 68,400 QAR going to the winner, followed by 26,400 QAR for second place, 13,200 QAR for third, 7,200 QAR for fourth, and 4,800 QAR for fifth.
Among the key contenders for the Asherij Cup is Ezzat Nafs, who will be ridden by jockey Fayos Martin Borja and trained by Mohamed Khaled Elahmed. Another strong entry is Dhouha, with Jaures Marcialis in the saddle and trained by Hadi Al Ramzani. Roma, trained by Hamad Al-Jehani, will have Jefferson Smith taking the reins, while Aziza will be guided by Soufiane Saadi under the care of trainer Zuhair Mohsen. AJS Najma, paired with jockey Szczepan Mazur, represents trainer M.H.K. Al Attiyah, and Jalila Alghania also comes from Hadi Al Ramzani’s stable, ridden by Faleh Bughanaim.
Other notable runners in the Asherij Cup include Kab Ghazal, with Rashid Ali Al-Marri as jockey and Mr. Mohd Ahmed Mohd Hasan Al-Sulaiti as trainer. Keheilah Al Sakab will see Trevor Patel aboard for trainer Jassim Hamad Al-Atteya, while Messera Al Shahania will be under the guidance of Marco Casamento and trainer Rudy Andre Nerbonne. Rounding off the field, Sobheya Umm Fadi will be ridden by Youssef Lachhab and trained by Ibrahim Khaled Elahmed.
The evening’s program will open with a Thoroughbred Handicap for Class 6 horses rated 45-65. This 1200-meter sprint on dirt comes with a total prize of 50,000 QAR. The leading entries include Hi Meh Darling, guided by Fayos Martin Borja and trained by Gassim AlGhazali, as well as Lady of Sardinia, with Jefferson Smith aboard and prepared by Deborah Amanda Clare Mountain. Let’s Get Em will be partnered with Saleh Faraj Al-Otaibi and trained by Hamad Al-Jehani, while Little Heron, trained by Gassim AlGhazali, will be ridden by Marco Casamento. Mockirr completes the lineup, with Soufiane Saadi in the saddle and Abdulla Al-Mulla as trainer.
At 6:20 PM, the second race of the night will feature the Local Thoroughbred Maiden Plate (Class 6), also covering a distance of 1200 meters on dirt. The total prize remains at 50,000 QAR. Among the participants, Muraykh will be ridden by Abdulla Rashid Al-Hajri and trained by Owaida Salem Al Hajri. Alberto Sanna will take the reins of Al Shareeah, trained by Ibrahim Khaled Elahmed. Tejash Juglall will guide Barkt Al Majd for trainer Abdulrahman Abdulwahed, while Farah Zakhir will be ridden by Fayos Martin Borja and trained by Mohamed Khaled Elahmed. The lineup is completed by Harba Alseej, with Marco Casamento aboard and Nayef Batal Al-Otibi overseeing training.
Next up is the Local Purebred Arabian Novice Plate (Class 5), which will take place at 6:55 PM. Run over 1200 meters on dirt, the race offers a purse of 60,000 QAR. Leading the entries is Al Maqam, with Alberto Sanna in the saddle and trained by Julian Colin Smart. Husam Al Shahania will be ridden by Salman Fahad Al-Hajri and trained by Mohammed Hassan Al Matwi. Khaeer Al Shahania, under Trevor Patel, is trained by Abdulla Mesfer Al Shahwani, while Nafees Al Shahania is paired with Mohammed Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik and also trained by Mohammed Hassan Al Matwi. Al-Yaseen Zakhir rounds out the runners, partnered with Marco Casamento and trained by Gassim AlGhazali.
At 7:30 PM, Thoroughbred Handicap 60-80 will be run over 1100 meters. The race offers a prize pool of 60,000 QAR. Due To Dance, under the guidance of Fayos Martin Borja, is trained by Mohammed AlGhazali. Ethandun has Pierre Charles Boudot in the saddle and comes from the stable of Hamad Al-Jehani. Opera Legend, ridden by Szczepan Mazur, is also trained by Hamad Al-Jehani. High And Wide will be guided by Trevor Patel for trainer Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki. Rounding off the top five, Torvar will be ridden by Alberto Sanna and trained by Mohammed AlGhazali.
The fifth race of the evening, Purebred Arabian Handicap 60-80, is scheduled for 8:05 PM. This longer 1900-meter test comes with a 60,000 QAR purse. The field includes Al Kazim, with apprentice Maxim Bozzio aboard and trained by Mohammed AlGhazali. Al Mosayterah, ridden by Alberto Sanna, is trained by Julian Colin Smart. Mukabr will be guided by apprentice Salman Fahad Al-Hajri for Dr. Fahad Salman F S Al-Hajri. Al Mustafiz, under jockey Lukas Delozier, is also trained by Julian Colin Smart. Marco Casamento takes the reins on Mesaieed, representing trainer Gassim AlGhazali.
At 8:40 PM, the sixth race on the card will be the Local Thoroughbred Handicap 55-80. The 1700-meter race features a purse of 75,000 QAR, with 42,750 QAR reserved for the winner. While the full field was not detailed, it is expected to offer a strong contest among capable local-bred horses.
With seven varied races, the 46th Al Rayyan Race Meeting promises an evening filled with intensity, elite equine talent, and memorable moments. At the heart of it all, the Asherij Cup stands as a tribute to Qatar’s dedication to preserving and elevating the art of horse racing—offering fans a prime opportunity to witness some of the finest Arabian and Thoroughbred competitors in action.
