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| Staff Writer |
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The 2024/25 racing season concluded with a flourish at Al Rayyan Racecourse on Thursday, with six impressive winners showcasing both Purebred Arabian and Thoroughbred talent on the dirt track. Alebb Katara delivered the most emphatic performance of the evening, storming to a 10½-length maiden victory in the closing race for owner Katara Stud.
The evening began with a pulsating finish as War Effort (Mehmas) narrowly prevailed in the Thoroughbred Handicap (0-60) over 1200m. The 6YO gelding, owned and trained by Salem Fadgam Al Hajri and ridden by Rashid Ali Al-Marri, settled handy before launching his challenge turning for home.
War Effort faced fierce competition from stablemate Aoun (Showcasing) in a gripping duel that saw the pair pull clear of their rivals. Showing tremendous determination, War Effort got his head down when it mattered to secure victory by a head, completing a satisfying one-two for connections. Earthy (Earthlight), who gained a run as a reserve, took third, a further length behind.
The second race saw Gold Medallist (Acclamation) secure his first career victory with a gutsy front-running display in the Thoroughbred Handicap (0-60) over 1900m. The 3YO gelding, owned by Mohammed Shaheen A A Al-Kuwari and trained by Gassim Al Ghazali, was sent straight to the front by jockey Alberto Sanna.
After being briefly headed by Half Moon Bay (New Bay) approaching the 1200m mark, Gold Medallist regained control by the 600m point. Turning for home, he found plenty under pressure to repel the late challenges of Desert Destination (Night Of Thunder) and Pour La Vie (Time Test), prevailing by three-quarters of a length, with the third-placed finisher a further two and a half lengths adrift.
The third race saw Main Reef (Pivotal) produce a career-best performance in the Thoroughbred Handicap (0-70) over 1200m. The 8YO, owned by Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik, trained by Ahmed Kobeissi and ridden by Mohammed Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik, settled in midfield as Valdarann (Siyouni) cut out the early running.
Main Reef was angled out for a clear run in the straight and unleashed a devastating turn of foot that carried him past his rivals with ease. Accelerating impressively in the final 200m, he drew clear to score by three and a quarter lengths from Swear (Camacho), with Manos Arriba (Tamayuz) a further one and a quarter lengths back in third.
Dhi Qar Zakhir (Jenjal) recorded his third career victory with a commanding performance in the Local Purebred Arabian Handicap (0-65) over 1900m. The 4YO colt, owned by Ali Salem A A Al-Marri, trained by Gassim Al Ghazali and ridden by Saleh Faraj Al-Otaibi, tracked the early pace before making his move.
As the field turned for home, Dhi Qar Zakhir swept around his rivals with impressive ease, drawing clear with every stride to score by five and three-quarter lengths. Al Fareq (Al Mamun Monlau) claimed second place, with Taimoor (Nizam) a further two and a quarter lengths back in third, emphasising the winner's dominance.
The fifth race saw Lightning Struck (Mu'azzaz) finally break his maiden at the 14th attempt in the Purebred Arabian Handicap (0-65) over 1700m. The 6YO , owned by Nasser Owaida Salem Al Hajri, trained by Owaida Salem Al Hajri and partnered by Rashid Ali Al-Marri for a double on the card, dictated proceedings after taking an early lead.
Once in front, Lightning Struck travelled comfortably and kicked again off the final bend, putting daylight between himself and his rivals to score by four and a quarter lengths. Masqool (Harran ASF), who had been held up at the rear, stayed on to take second, with AJS Sinjaar (AF AlBahar) three and a half lengths further back in third.
The 2024/25 season concluded with a breathtaking performance from Alebb Katara (Majd Al Arab) in the Local Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate for 3YOs over 1200m. Making just his third career start, the promising grey colt, owned by Katara Stud, trained by Hadi Al Ramzani and ridden by Abdulla Rashid Al-Hajri, asserted his authority from the outset.
Taking an early lead, Alebb Katara travelled with effortless fluency, extending his advantage with every stride to turn the contest into a procession. His devastating solo performance saw him cross the line 10½ lengths clear of Al Molheb Zakhir (Meghwaar), who just held off United (TM Thunder Struck) by a neck for second.
The emphatic victory provided a fitting conclusion to the season at Al Rayyan, highlighting the depth of talent in Qatari racing and offering a tantalising glimpse of what might lie ahead when competition resumes later in the year.