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| Staff Writer |
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The Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club concluded the Al Uqda Racecourse's 2023-24 season calendar with the 22nd and final race meeting on 2nd March 2024. Jockey Jefferson Smith had a remarkable day with a four-timer completed in the feature race as he guided the Hassan bin Ali Hassan Al Matwi-owned Medan to victory in the Al Bayt Cup.
The 6YO mare, trained by Mohammed Hassan Al Matwi, produced a strong challenge in the final 200m of the 2300m Class Two Purebred Arabian Handicap for 4YO and older horses rated 80-100 to claim the lead and win by half a length.
Ikef De Bozouls, owned by Triple Two Racing and trained by Gassim Ghazali, finished second, while Haman, owned by H.E. Sheikha Iman bint Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Thani and trained by Rudy Nerbonne, finished third under jockey Tomas Lukasek. Racing Manager, Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi, presented the trophies to the winners.
I the day's opener, the 1400m Class 6 Local Thoroughbred Maiden Plate for 3 to 6YOs, Royalty owned by Sabhea Awad Ibrahim and trained by Ibrahim Khaled Elahmed, won comfortably under jockey Muanis Al Siyabi.
The 4YO filly made amends for her previous runner-up finish and secured her first victory, finishing three lengths ahead of the other horses.
Zakadir, owned by Wathnan Racing, won the 2100m Class 5 Purebred Arabian Novice Plate for 4YOs comfortably under jockey Arnaud De Lepine. The grey colt, trained by Alban De Mieulle, pulled away from the field and finished two lengths ahead at the line, showing promise for the future.
Katleiya, owned by Abdulaziz Saleh Al Jaber and trained by Hadi Al Ramzani, won the 2100m Class 5 Thoroughbred Novice Plate for 4YO and older fillies and mares. Jockey Jefferson Smith rode the 4YO filly to a comfortable victory, finishing four and a half lengths ahead of the other horses.
In the 1400m Class Five Purebred Arabian Handicap for 4YO and older horses, Aktolgali, owned by Khalifa bin Abdullah bin Ali Al Attiyah and trained by Hamad Al-Jehani, won by a length under jockey Arnaud De Lepine, who picked up his second victory of the day.
Foehn, owned by Hamad Ramzan H A Al-Naimi and trained by Hadi Al Ramzani, won the 1400m Class Four Thoroughbred Graduation Plate for 3YOs under jockey Jefferson Smith, finishing two lengths ahead of the other horses. The bay gelding bounced back to form after a series of disappointing starts, now boasting two wins and seven placed finishes in ten career starts.
See You Boy, owned by Sheikh Ahmad bin Mohamed F N Al-Thani and trained by Mohammed Salama Ashour, won the 1200m Class Four Thoroughbred Handicap for 4YO and older horses rated 65-85 under jockey Jefferson Smith, who picked up his third victory of the day. The half-length win concluded the seven-race card day and the Al Uqda 2023/24 season.