Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) staged a composed yet progressively charged race day on Wednesday, December 24, where momentum built steadily across an eight-race card before reaching its defining moment in the Muaither Cup. Competitive depth across Thoroughbred and Purebred Arabian divisions set the stage for Race 6, where Sun Amer delivered a decisive performance to claim the Class 2 feature Muaither Cup, a Purebred Arabian Handicap (80–100), securing 120,000 QAR and emerging as the standout of the meeting.
The card opened with Race 1, the Thoroughbred Handicap 45–65, contested for 50,000 QAR, where Thunder Valley set the early tone. Arnaud De Lepine executed a confident ride for trainer Hadi Al Ramzani, delivering success for owner Ms. Maryam Abdulrahman Y M Al-Jaber. Shellbrook finished second, while Estithmar completed the top three, providing a competitive start to the programme.
Momentum carried into Race 2, the Local Thoroughbred Maiden Plate, also worth 50,000 QAR, as Nahar claimed a breakthrough victory. Pierre Charles Boudot guided the winner with authority for trainer Hamad Al-Jehani and Al Hajaj Farm, holding off Gasham in second and Barqeyya in third, as emerging talent began to assert itself.
The focus then shifted to Purebred Arabians in Race 3, the Local Purebred Arabian Premium Maiden Plate, carrying 85,000 QAR. Fathi rose above the field under Saleh Salem Al-Marri, delivering a composed performance for trainer Fahad Rashid Al Khayarin and owner Mr. Mohammed Abdulla M A Al-Dolaimi. Sarooqu Al Shahania finished second, with Za’al Al Shahania close behind in third.
Local riders took centre stage in Race 4, the Thoroughbred Handicap 0–75 (Qatari Riders Race) for 55,000 QAR, where Loaded Gun proved strongest at the finish. Saleh Salem Al-Marri completed another successful ride for trainer Gassim AlGhazali and owner Mr. Khalid Nasser A Al-Attiya, with Mashhoor and Noble Patron filling the minor placings.
Arabian competition intensified further in Race 5, the Purebred Arabian Handicap 55–75, also contested for 55,000 QAR. Kafalat delivered a controlled and measured victory under Mohammed Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik, trained by Ahmed Kobeissi and owned by Eng. Hassan Ali A M Alabdulmalik, finishing ahead of Ikef De Bozouls and Lavinia De Carrere as the card edged closer to its main event.
The meeting reached its defining moment in Race 6 – the Muaither Cup, the feature Purebred Arabian Handicap (80–100) with 120,000 QAR on the line. Sun Amer rose to the occasion with authority, producing a commanding performance under Soufiane Saadi. Prepared by Bader Al Balushi and racing for owner Mr. Khalid Mohammed S Al-Harami, the winner asserted clear class at the highest level on the card. Salwa ran on strongly to take second, while Al Kazim completed the podium in a race that stood apart in both quality and execution.
With the feature decided, the competitive tempo remained intact in Race 7, the Local Thoroughbred Handicap 0–65, worth 60,000 QAR. Suheal Qatar added another success to the day for Saleh Salem Al-Marri, who partnered the winner for trainer Abdulaziz Hamad Al Marri and owner Eng. Ateeq Hamad Ateeq Al Marri, finishing ahead of Estoori and Nadiraha.
The meeting concluded with Race 8, the Local Purebred Arabian Handicap 75–95, carrying 70,000 QAR, where Za’eer Al Shahania closed the card on a strong note. Ridden by Faleh Bughenaim, trained by Osama Al-Dafea, and owned by Eng. Osama Omer E Al-Dafea, the winner finished decisively ahead of Galeb Al Shahania and Bakir.
From steady early contests to a feature race that delivered on every expectation, December 24 at QREC unfolded as a race day defined by progression, balance, and a clear high point. At its centre stood Sun Amer, whose Muaither Cup victory gave the meeting its lasting imprint.
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