The highly anticipated H H The Amir Sword Festival 2024 commenced on Thursday, igniting the Al Rayyan Racecourse with a whirlwind of pulsating races. As equestrian enthusiasts and spectators thronged the sidelines, their jubilant presence contributed to the vibrant and festive atmosphere enveloping the event.
Al Shaman under the supervision of jockey Tom Marquand brought down the curtain to a thrilling opening day, winning the feature Thoroughbred Sand Championship for owner Hamad Ahmed Hassan Al Malki Al Jehani and trainer Ahmed Al Jehani.
Determining the victor of the 1700m feature race proved challenging until the ten-year-old Al Shaman surged ahead in the final 100m, outpacing a formidable contender, Account, and securing victory by a narrow margin of three-quarters of a length.
Account, skillfully ridden by Alberto Sanna, delivered an impressive performance, clinching the runner-up position by a considerable distance, while Local Law, guided by Japanese jockey Tsubasa Sasagawa, finished six lengths behind the five-year-old gelding trained by Owaida Salem Al Hajri.
The winners of the feature race were graciously honored by Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al Attiya, the President of the Asian Equestrian Federation and Vice Chairman of Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC).
Earlier, Sun Amer, owned by Khalid Mohammed S Al Harami, seized the spotlight by storming to a commanding seven-length victory in the 1700m Purebred Arabian Sand Championship, with Soufiane Saadi at the reins. This impressive triumph marked the culmination of a stellar day for trainer Bader Al Balushi, who celebrated a hat-trick of wins.
Bader Mohammed Al Darwish, the Acting CEO of QREC, presented the winners of the championship with their accolades.
Additionally, Lukas Delozier had an outstanding debut day, featuring eight races, each carrying a purse of $100,000. The jockey achieved a swift double victory by guiding Dhergham Bu Thaila, owned by Sabhea Awad Ibrahim and trained by Ibrahim Khaled Elahmed, to a narrow one-length win in the 1200m Local Thoroughbred Sand Championship.
The Festival kicked off with the Premium Maiden Cup race for Local Purebred Arabians, where Munhamik, owned by Nasser Owaida Salem Al Hajri, took the lead early on and secured a one-length victory under the guidance of Faleh Bughanaim.
Friday’s schedule features an additional 10 races, with the highlight being the prestigious Al Rayyan Breeders Cup, boasting a substantial prize pool of $400,000. Another significant event on the second day is the Al Zubarah Trophy, offering $200,000 in prize money and showcasing Local Bred Purebred Arabians.
In addition to thrilling races, spectators are delighting in a variety of entertaining activities arranged by QREC for the esteemed Festival.
With a staggering total prize pool of $10 million, the three-day racing extravaganza has drawn an unparalleled number of international contenders.
The Festival will culminate with tomorrow’s main events – the H H The Amir Trophy (International Group 3) and H H The Amir Sword, each offering prize money of $2.5 million.
Source: QREC, The Peninsula, Gulf Times | Photos: Juhaim/QREC