Doha [Qatar], April 26: The End Of Season Cup Day, the 70th race meeting of the 2025-26 season, produced exciting action at the Al Rayyan Racecourse on turf on Saturday. The ten-race card delivered competitive racing throughoutwith a series of notable winners across the card.
Al Rufaa Racing's Thor's Hammer stormed to a dramatic victory in the End of Season Cupedging out his rivals by the narrowest of margins in a thrilling finish.
The feature race of the card, a 1600m Class 1 Thoroughbred contest for horses aged four and above, saw a competitive field of nine runners go head-to-head. In a gripping finale, the five-year-old bay gelding dug deep to prevail by a head, sealing a memorable win. Trained by Jassim Al Ghazali, who secured a double on the evening, Thor's Hammer was expertly guided by jockey Alberto Sanna. The victory marked a return to winning form for the gelding, who capped off his campaign in style with a third triumph, building on a strong recent runner-up performance.
Saad Ali Al Kubaisi, Deputy Director of the QREC Registration & Studbook Dept., presented the End Of Season Cup to the winners.
Lueur De Faust made a winning return to form with a polished performance in the 1600m Purebred Arabian Open, capturing the Al Utouriya Cup for Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari. The five-year-old bay mare, already a Purebred Arabian Guineas winner on her Qatar debut last November, secured her second victory from six starts this season. Settled patiently towards the rear, she travelled strongly before sweeping into contention in the straight. Showing a sharp turn of foot inside the final 200m, she pulled clear to score by three-quarters of a length. Trained by Hamad Al Jehani, who notched a treble in the evening, Lueur De Faust was expertly partnered by Arnaud de Lepine in a well-timed ride.
Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi, QREC Racing Manager, awarded the Al Utouriya Cup.
Earlier on the card, Spareo extended his unbeaten record with another authoritative display in the 1400m Purebred Arabian Novice for three-year-olds, landing the Al Karana Cup for owner-trainer Hamad Ahmed Hassan Al Malki Al Jehani. The progressive grey colt, impressive on debut, confirmed his promise with a second straight victory. Breaking smartly, he quickly assumed control and dictated the pace throughout, stretching clear in the closing stages to win comfortably by two and a half lengths. Pierre-Charles Boudot was again in the saddle, maintaining his perfect partnership with the rising talent.
Saad Ali Al Kubaisi, Deputy Director of the QREC Registration & Studbook Dept., presented the Al Karana Cup.
End Of Season Cup Day
WINNERS: (Horse, Trainer, Jockey)
1 - End Of Season Cup, Thoroughbreds: Thor's Hammer, Gassim Al Ghazali, Alberto Sanna
2 - Local Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate: Qiltan, Alban de Mieulle, Abdulla Rashid Al Hajri
3 - Purebred Arabian Graduation Plate: Mamoun De Bozouls, Hamad Al-Jehani, Lukas Delozier
4 - Thoroughbred Handicap (60-80): Selous, Khalid Abdulaziz Al Kuwari, Anas Al Seyabi
5 - Local Thoroughbred Handicap (45-70): Al Deebil, Mohammed Al Ghazali, Salem Alajmi
6 - Al Karana Cup, Purebred Arabian Novice: Spareo, Hamad Ahmed Hassan Al Malki Al Jehani, Pierre Charles Boudot
7 - Thoroughbred Handicap (0-90): Brotherhood Of Man, Mohammed Al Ghazali, Soufiane Saadi
8 - Thoroughbred Handicap (70-90): Jungle Monarch, Gassim Al Ghazali, Marco Casamento
9 - Al Utouriya Cup, Purebred Arabian Open Race: Lueur De Faust, Hamad Al Jehani, Arnaud de Lepine
10 - Thoroughbred Handicap (75-95): Just Bring It, Alban de Mieulle, Soufiane Saadi.
Source: Qatar Tribune
