27 February, 2013, Qatar ~ Qatar International Day was a good day for Umm Qarn horses with four wins during the 38th race meeting of the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club. Umm Qarn’s four victories included the day’s two big races – Qatar International Trophy (Group I Pure Arabians) and Qatar International Cup (Group II Thoroughbreds).
Frenchman David Bouland piloted Muntasar to win the QR 500,000 Qatar International Trophy Group 1 Pure Arabians. As Dahani set the pace for the 15 horses early in the 1,600 meter trip, Muntasar was in fifth place and Al Anga was in the rear. Farraaha took control along the stretch with with Al Anga coming ahead along the rails. Muntasar (Majd Al Arab x Danie du Cassou), pushed hard by Bouland, edged the frontrunner in the final strides for a “neck” win. Farraaha finished second, followed by Nashmi. It was Umm Qarn for the top three for Umm Qarn trained by De Mieulle.
The day got began with the 1,600m Fegentri race for Female riders, a Thoroughbred Maiden Plate. French jockey Barbara Guenet rode Tortoni to a comfortable five-length victory. Count Curlin with Spanish rider Christina Buesa was second. Third place was Germany’s entry, Silke Brugegemann, on I Like To Win. Tortoni’s win time was 01:38.78
The Pure Arabian Handicap, rated 40 below was a Umm Qarn victory with Suwaidi (Nizam x Ezraa) under Naif K Alanazi for the Qatar Apprentice Jockey International Race. This was adjudged a “head” win in the highly contested run of 1,600m with Fiha and Intizaa in 2nd and third. Win time was 01:47.35 seconds.
A third Umm Qarn win was Khabbab in the Local Bred Pure Arabian Handicap for horses rated 40 to 70. Khabbab is by Dahess out of Ezraa.