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| Staff Writer |
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Luwsail delivered a standout performance at Al Uqda Racecourse on Thursday, claiming the prestigious Gr.1 Qatar Gold Sword with a hard-fought victory that adds another top-level success to his growing resume.
The 5YO, bred and owned by Al Shaqab Racing, trained by Jean de Mieulle and ridden by Pierre-Charles Boudot, displayed remarkable determination, battling all the way to the line to secure a neck victory over the impressive Moshrif.
HE Sheikh Thani bin Hamad Al Thani presented the coveted trophy to Khalifa bin Mohammed Al Attiyah, who accepted the award on behalf of Al Shaqab Racing.
The victory completed a treble on the day for Boudot, who earlier guided Bolthole to successfully defend his title in the QA Gr.1 Qatar Gold Trophy. Owned by Wathnan Racing and trained by Alban de Mieulle, Bolthole tracked the leader closely before making his move at the home turn, digging deep in the closing stages to fend off a determined challenge from stablemate Jeff Koons, giving Wathnan Racing an impressive one-two finish.
The two-day meeting began on Wednesday with Division 1 races, where Equinoxe etched his name in history with a fifth consecutive victory in the Local Thoroughbred Cup for 4YOs and upward over 2100m.
The 8YO stalwart, carrying the Wathnan Racing silks for trainer Alban de Mieulle and ridden by Tomas Lukasek, bided his time before launching a trademark late surge to secure the historic win by three-quarters of a length from Al Faisal, with Rayyan Bu Thaila a quarter-length further back in third.
The opener on Wednesday saw Sejjel storm to an impressive maiden victory in the Purebred Arabian Premium Maiden Cup for 4YOs. The Al Shaqab Racing homebred colt, trained by Jean de Mieulle and partnered by Olivier d'Andigne, built on his runner-up finish last time to power clear in the home straight, recording an emphatic six-and-a-half-length victory over Safeer Al Shahania and Texas Pride CS.
Dark Trooper continued his impressive form in the Sealine Sprint Trophy, claiming his third victory in just four starts this season. The 5YO gelding, representing Wathnan Racing, trained by Alban de Mieulle and ridden by Soufiane Saadi, displayed blistering pace in the final 100m to sweep past his rivals and complete a quick-fire double for the owner and trainer.
Taxiwala, a historical winner of the race having claimed this cup in the last four renewals, had to settle for second, three-quarters of a length behind, with Jayyash a further length back in third.
Rising star Phoebus made it two wins in a row and his third in just six career starts with a determined victory in the Al Wajba Trophy for 3YO Thoroughbreds. The bay colt, owned by Al Falah Stud, trained by Hamad Al-Jehani and ridden by Alberto Sanna, made his move around the home bend and powered past the long-time leader Suhail Star in the final 100m to clinch the win, with Curzon half a length behind the runner-up in third.
Thursday's card also saw Ghara finally find her winning stride in the Qatar Silver Sword for 4YO Purebred Arabians after a string of near misses. Trained by Hamad Al Jehani and ridden by Lukas Delozier, the bay filly delivered a well-earned victory for owner Al Wasmiyah Farm, surging powerfully in the final 100 metres to claim the prize by one-and-a-half lengths.
In the Qatar Silver Trophy for Local Purebred Arabians, Hadlan produced a commanding performance under Pierre-Charles Boudot. The 6YO, trained by Wasim Al Sahn for owner Abdullah bin Saeed Abdullah Al Mesnad, raced with authority from the start and displayed an electric turn of foot in the final stages to win by one-and-three-quarter lengths, completing a memorable day in the saddle for Boudot.
The traditional Al Sabiq races were also held as part of the meeting's events, with HE Sheikh Thani bin Hamad Al Thani crowning Hamad Meshlesh Al Khayareen, Mohammed Saad Al Hajri, Meshaal Abdulatif Al Mohannadi and Mohammed Rashid Al Marri as the first four placed riders.
The Qatar Gold Sword Meeting showcased the depth of talent in both Thoroughbred and Purebred Arabian racing, with Wathnan Racing and Al Shaqab Racing emerging as the dominant forces across the two days, while Pierre-Charles Boudot demonstrated why he's regarded as one of the world's premier jockeys with his treble on Thursday's card.