Qatar Racing Season Crowned By Top-Class Contests

Wathnan Racing Reign Supreme Across Qatar Season

Qatar’s 2025–2026 racing season produced a succession of top-class contests across both the Thoroughbred and Purebred Arabian disciplines, with the 51st HH The Amir Sword Festival at Al Rayyan Racecourse on February 14, 2026, providing its spectacular centrepiece. Wathnan Racing and trainer Alban de Mieulle dominated from start to finish, cementing their standing as the pre-eminent force in Gulf racing.

Lippo De Carrere Claims Arabia’s The Amir Sword

Wathnan Racing and Alban de Mieulle landed the HH The Amir Sword, a Group One Purebred Arabian contest for 4YOs and upwards over 2,400m on turf worth US$2,500,000, through Lippo De Carrere (Al Mourtajez x Elmanara De Carrere), who produced a decisive change of gear in the home straight to prevail by a length under Maxime Guyon. Al Ghadeer, trained by François Rohaut for Al Shaqab Racing, stayed on under Christophe Soumillon to take second, three lengths clear of HM Alchahine in third for Helal and Tahnon Alalawi.

Deep Monster Edges Out Rivals In The Amir Trophy

The 8YO son of Deep Impact, Deep Monster, landed the HH The Amir Trophy, a Group Two Thoroughbred contest for 4YOs and upwards over 2,400m on turf worth US$2,500,000 for trainer Yasutoshi Ikee and owner DMM Dream Club Co Ltd, closing powerfully to prevail by a neck under Tom Marquand. Goliath, trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, fought on for second, a length ahead of Giavellotto in third for Marco Botti and Pierre-Charles Boudot.

Chdia Reigns Supreme In Group One Mile

The 5YO daughter of Al Mourtajez and Rkaya, Chdia, won the Qatar International Cup, a Group One Purebred Arabian contest for 4YOs and upwards over 1,600m on turf worth US$500,000, quickening decisively to score by three lengths under Christophe Soumillon for Wathnan Racing and Alban de Mieulle. Lino (AF AlBahar) stayed on under Ioritz Mendizabal for Eric Dell’Ova to take second, 1¾ lengths ahead of Mac’zoom Al Shahania in third for Rudy Nerbonne.

Dominant Alhaarith Storms Clear In Silver Sword

The Group One-winning bay colt Alhaarith (AF Al Buraq x Jamaheer) made a striking Qatar debut in the HH The Amir Silver Sword, a Class 1 contest for 4YOs Purebred Arabians over 2,000m on turf worth US$500,000, unleashing a devastating turn of foot to score by seven and a half lengths under Christophe Soumillon for Al Wasmiyah Farm and François Rohaut. Geina (Mister Ginoux) took second under Adrie De Vries for Hamad Al-Jehani, with Dawod (Divamer) taking third by a head, also for Al-Jehani.

Make Me King Shines In Listed Mile Renewal

The 6YO grey gelding Make Me King (Dark Angel x Miss Infinity) took the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cup, a Listed Thoroughbred contest for 4YOs and upwards over 1,600m on turf worth US$500,000, scoring by a length and a quarter under Pierre-Charles Boudot for Wathnan Racing and Hamad Al-Jehani. Holloway Boy, trained by Karl Burke, took second, a neck ahead of Aemilianus in third for Gassim Al Ghazali.

August George Snatches Al Rayyan Mile Verdict

The bay gelding August George (Night Of Thunder x Citadelle) captured the Al Rayyan Mile Cup, a Group Two Thoroughbred contest for 3YOs over 1,600m on turf worth US$400,000, surging in the final strides to prevail by a head under Maxime Guyon for Sheikh Mohammed Salman Al-Thani and Gassim Al Ghazali. Andab (Saxon Warrior), trained by Joseph Patrick O’Brien, took second under Pierre-Charles Boudot, with Pacific Avenue in third by a head for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby.
Basalt Battles Clear In Dramatic Shalfa Finish

The 4YO grey colt Basalt recorded a fourth victory from six starts in the HH The Amir Shalfa, a Class 2 Thoroughbred Handicap for ratings 85 and above over 2,000m on turf worth US$400,000, edging clear under Maxime Guyon for HE Mansoor bin Ebrahim Al-Mahmoud and Gassim Al Ghazali, with the first four separated by only two necks and a short head. Pacifiste took second under Jefferson Smith, a neck ahead of Aafoor (Qurbaan) in third for MHK Al Attiyah.

Dead Heat Drama In Local Breeders Cup

Al Faisal and Doha Bu Thaila dead-heated in the Al Rayyan Breeders Cup, a Class 1 Local Thoroughbred contest over 2,000m on turf worth US$400,000. Al Faisal was trained by Khalifa Hamed Nasser Al Sawai and ridden by Maxime Guyon; Doha Bu Thaila was trained by Alban de Mieulle and partnered by Soufiane Saadi. Equinoxe finished 1¾ lengths back in third under James Doyle.

Quinault Leads Throughout To Land Sprint Feature

The 6YO bay gelding Quinault landed the Dukhan Sprint Cup, a Group Three Thoroughbred contest for 3YO and upwards over 1,200m on turf worth US$400,000, making all to score by a length under Marco Ghiani for TJE Racing and Stuart Williams. Taxiwala, owned and trained by Osama Omer Al-Dafea, took second under Pierre-Charles Boudot, ahead of Lethal Levi in third by a head for Karl Burke.

Bolthole Defends Qatar Gold Trophy Crown

Trained by Alban de Mieulle, Bolthole defended his title for a second consecutive year in the Qatar Gold Trophy, a Group One Thoroughbred contest for 4YOs and upwards over 2,200m on turf worth US$250,000, under Pierre-Charles Boudot. Jeff Koons took second for Hamad Al-Jehani, three-quarters of a length adrift, with Aemilianus two lengths further back in third for Gassim Al Ghazali.

Luwsail Denies Moshrif In Arabian Group One

Al Shaqab Racing’s Luwsail won the Qatar Gold Sword, a Group One Purebred Arabian contest for 4YOs and upwards over 2,100m on turf worth US$250,000, under Pierre-Charles Boudot for trainer Jean de Mieulle. Moshrif took second under Jim Crowley by a neck for Zuhair Mohsen, with Nabucco Al Maury a length and a half back in third for Hamad Al-Jehani.

Ray’q Holds Stablemate In Local Arabian Feature

The Qatari-bred Ray’q won the HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani Trophy, a Class 1 Local Purebred Arabian contest over 2,100m on turf worth US$165,000 (QAR600,000), under Olivier d’Andigne for Rudy Nerbonne. Stablemate Aneed Al Shahania was second by a head under Lukas Delozier, with Layeq five lengths back in third for Julian Smart.

Wafei Seals Memorable Festival Finale For Wathnan

The 5YO dark bay gelding Wafei brought the festival to a fitting close in the Qatar International Thoroughbred Handicap Cup, a Class 2 contest for 4YOs and upwards rated 90–110 over 2,400m on turf worth US$100,000, drawing clear by three lengths under Maxime Guyon for Alban de Mieulle. Stablemate Hamaki (Churchill) took second under Christophe Soumillon, half a length ahead of Studio City in third for Mohammed Al Ghazali.

Dark Trooper Claims Barzan Cup With Authority

The 6YO bay gelding Dark Trooper won the Barzan Cup, a Group Three Thoroughbred contest for 4YOs and upwards over 1,600m on turf worth US$96,000 (QAR350,000), scoring by half a length under James Doyle for Wathnan Racing. Aemilianus took second, three-quarters of a length ahead of stablemate Smart Hero in third, both trained by Gassim Al Ghazali.

Townsend Manor Prevails In Festival Dirt Sprint

The GB-bred Townsend Manor took the Sand Sprint Cup, a Class 2 Thoroughbred Handicap over 1,200m on dirt worth US$70,000, under Maxime Guyon for Gassim Al Ghazali. Safwan was second a quarter of a length back, with Return To Senders a further 3¼ lengths back in third.

Wathnan Dominate Memorable HE Sheikh Joaan Card

Wathnan Racing won seven of the ten races at Al Rayyan Racecourse on January 17, 2026, under Alban de Mieulle, with Al Jeryan Stud providing the one notable exception by retaining the day’s feature. Aafoor (Qurbaan x Filfila) kept the HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani Rifle with Al Jeryan Stud for a second consecutive year, prevailing by a neck under Szczepan Mazur for trainer MHK Al Attiyah, with Simca Mille (Tamayuz) second and Basalt (Pinatubo) third for Gassim Al Ghazali.

Wathnan Sweep Through Remaining Card Races

Lippo De Carrere (Al Mourtajez x Elmanara De Carrere) retained the Gr.3 Purebred Arabian Trophy for a fourth consecutive year under Soufiane Saadi, with RB Mary Lylah (Al Mourtajez), trained by Alban de Mieulle for Wathnan Racing, filling third. Dark Trooper registered his third consecutive win in the 4YO+ Thoroughbred Trophy under James Doyle, while Equinoxe claimed a 25th career victory in the Local Thoroughbred Trophy, also under Doyle. Doha Bu Thaila extended her unbeaten seasonal record to three wins in the Desert Rose Cup; Razika took the Al Na’ama Cup; Soldier’s Gold retained the Open Sprint Trophy; August George was elevated in the 3YO Thoroughbred Trophy after a stewards’ inquiry; Khaddah opened his account in the 4YO Purebred Arabian Trophy; and Mac’zoom Al Shahania broke through in the Purebred Arabian Trophy for Rudy Nerbonne.

One Nation Leads Home Doha Cup Field

The GB-bred One Nation won the Doha Cup, a Class 2 Thoroughbred Handicap over 1,700m on dirt worth US$33,000 (QAR120,000), under Arnaud De Lepine for Hamad Al-Jehani. Millions was three lengths back in second, with Dubawi Spectre two further lengths back in third for Gassim Al Ghazali.

Nano Toro Claims Fillies And Mares Sprint

French-bred Nano Toro took the Al Ghariyah Cup, a Class 2 Thoroughbred sprint for fillies and mares over 1,200m on dirt worth US$33,000 (QAR120,000), under apprentice Mohammed Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik (claiming 2.5kg) for trainer Deborah Mountain. Kimnkate chased the winner home half a length adrift under Szczepan Mazur for Hamad Al-Jehani, with Keel Bay a head back in third for Bader Al Balushi.

The 2025–2026 season underlined Qatar’s standing as a leading destination for top-class international racing. Wathnan Racing and Alban de Mieulle set a standard that rivals across the Gulf will look to challenge in the year ahead.