Marco Casamento guides Ghanem to Al Bayt Cup triumph.
Doha, Qatar: Piloted by Marco Casamento, Ghanem maintained his blistering form to clinch the Al Bayt Cup – his second victory in just five days – at Al Rayyan Racecourse yesterday.
The five-year-old, who won the Purebred Arabian 70–90 (Class 3) on Saturday, wrapped up the two-day Al Bayt Cup meeting in style, winning the Purebred Arabian Handicap 80–100 (Class 2) by one and a half lengths.
Trained by Jassim Ghazali, Ghanem had a calm start to the 2500m race and saved his best for the home straight, securing victory for owner Nasser Saeed M. S. Al-Eida.
Salwa, who put up a late challenge under Jefferson Smith, finished second in the feature, with Sakher claiming third place – seven lengths behind the runner-up.
Deputy Director of the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club’s Registration & Studbook Department Saad Ali Al Kubaisi, honoured the winners.
Earlier, trainer Hamad Al-Jehani celebrated a quick-fire double, with Weissmuller and Silver Jubilee bagging victories. Jockey Saleh Faraj Al-Otaibi guided Weissmuller to a one-length win over Maximus Alexios in the thrilling 1200m Thoroughbred Graduation Plate, which featured 13 runners.
In another exciting 1200m contest, Pierre Charles Boudot steered Silver Jubilee to victory in the Thoroughbred Handicap 85–110 (Class 2) — the penultimate race of the day.
Silver Jubilee prevailed over Greer, ridden by Fayos Martin Borja, by a short head. Townsend Manor finished a further half-length behind for third place. The win not only marked a double for trainer Al-Jehani but also secured a pair of victories for jockey Boudot, who had earlier led Jean de Mieulle-trained Sejjel to a half-length win in the 1700m Purebred Arabian Novice Plate.
The second and final day of the Al Bayt Cup meeting started with an impressive three-length victory by Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki-trained Qahwa, who showcased lightning speed with Trevor Patel in the saddle.
22nd Al Uqda Race Meeting Al Bayt Cup (Div 2)
WINNERS: (Horse, Trainer, Jockey)
Al Bayt Cup - Purebred Arabian Handicap 80-100 (Class 2)
Ghanem, Jassim Al Ghazali, Marco Casamento
Thoroughbred H. 85-110 (Class 2)
Silver Jubilee, Hamad Al-Jehani, Pierre Charles Boudot
Thoroughbred Graduation Plate
(3yo Only) (Class 4)
Weissmuller, Hamad Al-Jehani, Saleh Faraj Al-Otaibi
Purebred Arabian Novice Plate
(4yo Only) (Class 5)
Sejjel, Jean de Mieulle, Pierre Charles Boudot
Thoroughbred Handicap 55-75 (Fillies And Mares) (Class 5)
Qahwa, Ibrahim S. Al Malki, Trevor Patel
