Tabarak (Nizam/Altesse D'Aroco), in his first outing of the season, settled at the back of the field until the final straight when he moved up in a powerful run in the final two furlongs to comfortably take the first place from Harran by a length.

It was a good day for Umm Qarn stallion progeny also; Dahash (Amer/Taraza) won the Handicap (rated 40-70) holding off a late challenge by Umm Qarn's Farraaha, and Al Shahania's Laheeb Al Shahania (Nizam/Abajdara D'Aroco) won the second of her three races.  Al Uraiq, also by Nizam was third after Umm Qarn's Fouladh (Amer / Jaljalah).

The final day of the Festival saw Umm Qarn homebreds take both purebred Arabian Group 1 races. 

photos courtesy Juhaim @ QREC

In the HH The Heir Apparent Trophy, Damis, ridden by David Bouland, finished strongly in a top class field to beat Al Shahania challengers Mu'Azzaz and Asraa Min Albarq.

Lancelot, ridden by Olivier Peslier, came from the back of the field in the Group 1 HH The Heir Apparent Trophy for Thoroughbreds, to challenge to Amico Mio, who had put several lengths between himself and the rest of the field.  He had in the end to settle for third behind Dubawi King.

In the feature race of the day with a purse of QR 800,000 it was Raihan (Amer/Marja) who triumphed in the Group 1 HH The Heir Apparent Sword,  beating Al Mjahaz and Agshar ASF.

photos courtesy Juhaim @ QREC

(courtesy Juhaim)

On the second day, Umm Qarn won two of the 6 races on the card, including the Thoroughbred Group2 race with Lancelot (see below ridden by Olivier Peslier).

(courtesy Juhaim)

Farraaha (Amer/Moonlit) won her first race convincingly in the Maiden plate, beating Al Shahania's Shaklan and in the local bred Handicap, Faria (Djebbel / Amanga D'Aroco) bred by Umm Qarn and recently sold, held off Dahash, winning by a neck.  In the Group 1 HH Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khallifa Al Thani  Stakes, Raihan and Insaf were held to second and third respectively by Al Mujahaz (Hafid du Bac/Kerjam).

On the first evening of the two day race meeting sponsored by Umm Qarn's owner, HH Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani, homebred Fouladh (Amer/Jaljalah) won the Local bred handicap despite a strong challenge from the more experienced Al Jeali (Amer/Nue et Reine), bringing his tally to two wins out of his first three races.

(courtesy Juhaim)

Fouladh

In the Group 3 HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al Thani International race over 1850m, Al Shahania's Asraa Min Albarq (Amer/Akie Croix Noire) and Jaafer (Amer/Madjela) took first and second with Umm Qarn's Calim du Loup (Darweesh/Calin du Loup) third and Raqiyah (Amer/Sarahmina) fourth.  Asraa Min Albarq took the lead and set the pace as is his habit but the forceful riding of his jockey S Golam ensured that a strong challenge of Darren Williams on Jaafer was not quite enough to overtake at the line.

In the first race of the day, Nizam son, Laheeb Al Shahania, improved on his second of two weeks ago, leading a large field from beginning to end of the 1200m race to win by a very impressive 8 lengths.

Photo: QREC
 

Umm Qarn's Raihan (Amer - Marja) was back on form yesterday with a win in the Group 2 Late Sheikh Jassim Bin Mohammed Al Thani Cup at Rayyan Park.  Ridden by Gerald Avranche - who had two previous victories in the same meeting - Raihan let others make the running until the final turn.  Arkan Al Naif who had taken up the lead in the second half of the 2000m race looked strong in the final straight, but he was challenged by stablemate Nasir al Naif and Raihan in the closing stages and it was Raihan's final burst of power that took him over the line first by half a length from Nasir Al Naif.

Video of race

In the main race of the day, the Group 1 Qatar Day International Trophy, Al Shahania's Asraa Min Albarq set and maintained a fast pace for the runners and was only challenged by the eventual winner, Aziz ASF in the last furlong.  Umm Qarn's Raqiyah made a powerful challenge from the middle of the field in the final straight but whilst still accelerating at the line, could not make up the extra length and a half needed.

Video of race

In their first race of their career, both Fouladh (Amer/Jaljalah) and Raedah (Djebbel/Daniah) showed great promise with a first and second respectively.  In a large field, both horses settled in the midst of the field.  Fouladh (David Bouland) took up the challenge for the lead on the outside at the final turn, while Raedah appeared from the middle of the field as a space opened up.  Over the final furlong the two battled for the lead but Fouladh's extra burst of power took him half a length of his stablemate at the winning post.

In the third race, (Handicap for horses rated 50-80) Calim du Loup was narrowly beaten by a short head by Pep Sakbe with Dahrr (Nizam/Djelmila) finishing in fifth.

In the sixth race, there was a thrilling finish where there was only half a length between the winning horse and fourth place.  Jelmud (A De Vries) led for much of the race, but was challenged in the last couple of furlongs by Bin Amer (M Suerland) and Umm Qarn's Kasih (G Avranche).  On the line, Kasih beat Jelmud by a short head, with Bin Amer and Umm Qarn bred Tameemah close behind in third and fourth.

In the final race, the Group 2 HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani Trophy for Thoroughbreds, it was Lancelot and Dubawi King competing for the win; whilst initially it looked like Dubawi King was going to pull away, Lancelot gave a tremendous final push for the line, but just a little too late, losing by a neck.

photo Juhaim

Damis continued the consecutive successes of previous Umm Qarn runners in the Group 3 GCC Champion Breeders Trophy at Rayyan Park yesterday.   The race was led from the start by Al Shahania's Theeb with Umm Qarn's other runner, Jusoor sitting comfortably in third.  Damis, ridden by David Bouland, waited at the rear of the field for the majority of the race, just taking up the chase in the final straight. Whilst Theeb battled hard to keep his lead, Damis' acceleration was just too strong and he won easily by 2.5 lengths.  Jusoor faded disappointingly in the final straight to finish at the rear of the field.

In the International Group 3 Guineas for 3 year olds, Mkeefa, an Amer filly out of Nisaee bred and owned by Al Shahania, won her first race, narrowly beating Nizam filly and racewinner, Al Uraiq, owned and bred by Mr Mohammed Abdullah Abdulmalik.

Approximately two hundred guests were welcomed to the farm by Brigadier Abdulla and Alban de Mieulle.  The guests were shown into the Majlis to view Umm Qarn's many trophies and the main stable.   Visitors were then invited to watch horses being exercised in the swimming pool, visited the Veterinary unit, viewed youngstock and broodmares, and finally enjoyed a parade of a selection of Umm Qarn's horses in training.

The end of the visit was marked by a buffet supper in the Marquee. We hope that all visitors enjoyed their evening at Umm Qarn.
 

At the same meeting, Amer sons won two more races; in the Handicap (rated 50-80) Jelmud (bred by Umm Qarn and now owned by Al Wamiyah Farm) held off a challenge by Al Shahania's Harran to win by a quarter of a length.    In the local bred Stakes race, Al Nashat, owned by Sheika Rowdha Bint Mishal Bin Hamad Al Thani, led the whole race until the final furlong when Arkan Al Naif made the extra effort to pass and hold on to the the lead by half a length.

Umm Qarn congratulates Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani (Al Shahania) on winning the Arabian World Cup with Areej (Amer/Akie Croix Noire) at Longchamp on Sunday.  Although disappointed at not winning a third consecutive Arabian World Cup for Umm Qarn, we note with great pleasure that the first seven places were taken by progeny of Amer, the recently retired stallion of Umm Qarn that has contributed so much to the improvement of Arab horseracing.  We expect to be back next year!

Video of race:  Click Here

This was an impressive run for Al Tair in his first European race, against strong contenders.  Both Raihan and Raqiyah had earlier won Group 1 races this season, in Germany and France respectively.

Umm Qarn's Raihan (Amer/Marja) won for the second year running and for Umm Qarn for the seventh win of this race in seven years, eighth victory in total.  At the same time he broke the track record set in this race in 2008 by Umm Qarns Keilan (Amer/Kachia)  by 0.05seconds.  Raihan beat his full brother and Umm Qarn stablemate Omaier (third in this race in 2010) by a length and Umm Qarn's Qahir (Nizam/Ezraa) followed in third.  

Photo: Juhaim/QREC
 

Umm Qarn's Kasih (Amer/Pesennaia) was a close third behind General with Asraa Min Albarq and Raqiyah.
 

Photo: Juhaim/QREC
 

Photo: Juhaim/QREC
 

For purebred Arabians, the climax of the racing was the Group 1 Qatar International Trophy run over 1600m for a total purse of 500,000 QR.  The race attracted a large field of entries of some of the best arabian racehorses in the world.

Umm Qarn's General (Amer/Al Hanoof) was strongly fancied to win the race for Umm Qarn for the eighth consecutive year after his impressive Group 1 win of the Arabian World Cup in France last October.  However it was Umm Qarn's Raqiyah, ridden by Olivier Peslier who timed Raqiyah's challenge in the final straight perfectly.

Of the win, Umm Qarn trainer Alban de Mieulle said "Winning the Qatar International Trophy for the eighth year in a row is another huge achievement for Umm Qarn Farms. We have proved to be the best breeders in the Pure Arabians in the world. This has all been possible due to the support from HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani. It is under his guidance that top class breeding is taking place in Qatar. Our horses have won all over the world and made Umm Qarn and Qatar proud."  Of General's performance he said "This was General’s first run after five months. He needed this run and will be a major threat in the Emir’s Sword race in March."

Al Shahania's Areej (Amer/Akie Croix Noire) took the lead on the final bend with Raqiyah, General,Aziz ASF, Tameemah all well positioned, but it was Raqiyah who successfully challenged to win by half a length.  For full results see here

photo: Juhaim/QREC

Umm Qarn also had success with Omaier (Amer/Marja) who narrowly beat stablemate Dherwah(Djebbel/Al Jowharah) in the Argentine Jockey Club Stakes.  Over the two days, other Amer progeny on winning form were  Bin Amer, Al Jeali and winner of the Gulf Cup (GCC bred) Al Shahania's Nimr (Amer/Nisaee).

Amer has a increasing number of sons now who have produced winners including

• Mutabahi
• Nizam
• Dahess
• Darweesh
• Samern

In the main race of the day, the Rowdat Al Fares Cup, it was a first second and third for Amer progeny; Al Shahania's Areej (ex Akie Croix Noire) trained by Julian Smart held on to beat Umm Qarn's Hibah by half a length, closely followed by Tameemah (full sister to Group 1 winner Raqiyah and bred by Umm Qarn ex Sarahmina).
 

Photo: Juhaim -QREC

Umm Qarn had two other successes in the same meeting with progeny of Nizam and Dahess.

Dharr, by Umm Qarn's stallion Nizam and out of the outstanding French mare Djelmila, won his first race in the Maiden Plate.  This is his second winner on the track, after the success of Qahir.

Fernas, bred by Umm Qarn by Dahess out of Mayasah, won the maiden Plate, beating Al Bouraq by a head.  Fernas and Insaf are now both winning progeny by Dahess bred by Umm Qarn before he was sold to France.

In a high class field of winners, including Tameemah and Jusoor, her biggest rival was Al Shahania's Asraa Min Albarq (Amer/Akie Croix Noire) who won the Group 1 Qatar National Day Trophy in December.  Asraa Min Albarq led the field from the start, as is his custom, but in the final straight he was unable to hold off Raqiyah's challenge and was beaten by a short head in a photo finish. 

The trophy will be once more in Umm Qarn's trophy cabinet after a gap of three years, to join the trophies of Majd Al Arab, Al Dahma, Dahess and Al Anood in the same race.

In the HH  The Heir Apparent Sword, Raihan (Amer/Marja) was narrowly beaten by Qassed ASF (Djendel/Calamare) by only a neck.  Qassed, previously beaten twice by Raihan, ran an excellent race and managed to hold off a powerful late challenge.

In the HH The Heir Apparent Trophy for Thoroughbreds, Umm Qarn's Lancelot came in a close third to Beethoven and Miss Starlight.

Al Tair (Amer/Altesse D'Aroco) added another win to his first season  record, the Qatar Derby for 3 year olds, over 1600m.  Umm Qarn's recently purchased french-bred Amer colt, Divamer, was third.

In the main race of the day, the Group 2 Qatar International Derby, Umm Qarn's Rasheeqah (Amer/Noorah) held off the opposition to win in a very tight finish.  Rasheeqah has now added another Group Race victory to the major Group 1 victory in Paris in the Qatar French Arabian Breeders' Challenge in October.

Qahir (ex Ezraa), Nizam's first runner (also winner in 2009), won convincingly on the first day of the two day meet at Rayyan Park. In the Handicap race over 1400m, for horses rated 50-70, Qahir finished strongly to beat challengers Al Jeali by 3.5 lengths.  In the last race of the day, the Umm Qarn bred Tameemah, now sold to Mr. Khalifa Bin Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Attiya, won her second race under new ownership in the Sheikh Suhaim Cup.

On the second day of the 12th Meeting, Umm Qarn had a thrilling victory in the Late Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani Trophy.  The race was dominated until the final straight by Nimr (Amer/Nisae) bred and owned by Al Shahania Stud, and Mukheefah (Djebbel/Nasrat) was towards the rear of the field.  However in the final straight, with the encouragement of popular local jockey Al Kaabi, she produced fantastic acceleration, bursting past Nimr in the final furlong closely followed by stablemate Dherwah (Djebbel/Al Jowarah).

Osama Faisal

In the final race, the Qatar National Day Trophy (Group 1), it was a first and second for Al Shahania Stud's Amer homebreds, Asraa Min Albarq (ex Akie Croix Noir) and Jaafer (ex Madjela) followed by Umm Qarn's Jusoor (ex Dermech) and Rasheeqah (ex Noorah).

At the first December race meetings at Rayyan Park in Qatar, Umm Qarn Farm homebreds entered the winner's circle several times..

On the first day of racing, the Umm Qarn Farm bred Insaf (Dahess/Mashaael) won her first race in the Local bred Maiden plate over 1400m.  Later in the same meet, Kasih (Amer/Pesennaia) won the Handicap (rated 0-70) by a convincing three lengths from Guide Al Khal who fought off challenges from Colbanric and Fakhr. 

Mukheefah (Djebbel/Nasrat), a filly currently very much in form, beat Al Shahania's Assil by a neck to win the Al Mafiar Cup over 2000m.

On the second day of racing again Umm Qarn Farm was successful in the first race, a convincing win for Al Tair, an Amer colt bred by Umm Qarn Farm in UK out of French mare Altesse D'Aroco.  The filly Tameemah, bred by Umm Qarn Farm and recently sold to Khalifa Bin Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Attiya at the QREC auction won the second race.  In the sixth race, Hibah (GB) came a close second to Al Shahania's Areej in the Al Wajba Cup.

Rasheeqah wins GCC Champions Breeders Trophy
Report by QREC
 

"Rasheeqah once again proved her class by claiming the GCC Champion Breeders Trophy at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (REC) on November 11, Thursday.

The Alban de Mieulle trained Amer-Noorah progeny reigned supreme over her five other rivals in the QR 100,000 prize money worth 1,600 metres contest for Pure Arabian horses (four-year-olds and over) bred anywhere in the world by a GCC breeder.

 
Photo by Juhaim

Nimr, from Al Shahania Stud, was expected to pose a serious challenge to Rasheeqah (David Bouland astride) but could not. Nimr came home fourth while Jusoor impressed with a second-place finish. Gayth was third.

During last month’s Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Weekend in Paris, Umm Qarn Farm’s Rasheeqah had made Qatar proud by winning the Group I Qatar French Arabian Breeders Challenge at the Longchamp race course. Today too, she displayed yet another top run.

Speaking after the final event of the fifth race meeting at the New Rayyan track, trainer De Mieulle said: “Rasheeqah yet again displayed her class by winning today. Before the start of the race, she was nervous which made us worry a bit. But after seeing her win is a great feeling now. Looking at her run today, she will get better by the day and will be a strong challenger for the Derby next month.”

“Rasheeqah was nervous before the race started and with this win those early jitters have gone away. It is a nice feeling for me to win this Trophy. Rasheeqah is a class horse,” explained jockey Bouland. "

HH Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani congratulated by Sheikh Mohammed bin Faleh Al Thani,
on General's World Class success at Longchamps
 

In one of the most exciting finishes seen recently, Umm Qarn Farm's General finished first in the Group 1 Qatar Arabian World Cup at Longchamps this afternoon after a photo finish. The result of the photo showed that General beat the previously unbeaten Jalnar Al Khalidiah by a short head.  General today confirmed his status at one of the top racing Arabians as he follows in the footsteps of his full sister, Al Dahma.

In a large field of 17 runners, General and Jalnar al Khalidiah pulled away from the rest of the field in the final straight putting five lengths or more between them and the rest of the field in a powerful and exciting finish.  Umm Qarn's Raqiyah finished third ahead of Al Shahania Stud's Jaafer ASF and Aziz ASF.

Umm Qarn Farm homebred Rasheeqah (Amer / Noorah) won the Group 1 Qatar Total French Arabian Breeders' Challenge over 2000m in convincing style, beating Rawdat al Khalidiah by 3 lengths at Longchamps today.  Rasheeqah was positioned comfortably in the middle of the field until the last 300m when she made her move and powered past Rawdat al Khalidiah in the last 50 metres.

"This win is a special one for us. Rasheeqah was outstanding today. She is a Qatar bred filly and she displayed her best on the world stage. To win this race on the best race track in France is something great. This was an important success for us today and hopefully we can continue our celebrations tomorrow as well with Qatar Arabian World Cup win" - Alban de Mieulle

Gulf Times Report

In the World Cup race tomorrow, General will be defending his title with other Umm Qarn Farm runners, Damas and Raqiyah, in the Qatar Arabian World Cup against a strong field. 

Gulf Times article

Umm Qarn Farm's homebred General (Amer/Al Hanoof) won the Group 1 Malazgirt International Trophy today in Istanbul, Turkey over 1600m.  Nashwan Al Khalidiah led from the start of the race and General, ridden by David Bouland, settled quickly into second place.  In the final straight General quickened and won the race in convincing style, whilst Nokomys' (Amer/KTP Mystic Flight) strong challenge in the final furlong beat Nashwan al Khalidiah into third.

This is Umm Qarn Farm's seventh victory in the International Malazgirt Trophy since 2000.  Mutabahi (Amer/Geran) won in 2000, followed by success in 2001 and 2002 by Al Anood (Amer/Dandoura), 2004 and 2005 by Dahess (Amer/Danie du Cassou) and 2007 by General's full sister, Al Dahma (Amer/Al Hanoof).

At Ascot last Saturday Umm Qarn's 4 y.o. RAQIYAH (owned by Sheikh Tamim bin Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani; trained by Alban de Mieulle; ridden by Olivier Peslier) again showed her class in a field of eleven top-ranking purebred Arabians in the President of the United Emirates Cup 2,000 m. winning by 3/4 length from Al Shahania's AZIZ (trainer: Julian Smart) in a total time of 2.18.60.  Raqiyah has now notched up two victories and a second place in the President of the United Emirates Cup (Ascot 2010, Chantilly 2009, The Curragh 2010) as well as wins in the Coupe d'Europe 2010 and various local events.

With the likelihood that 4 y.o.  RAQIYAH will continue to improve trainer Alban de Mieulle will be debating which of the trio, GENERAL, AL DAHMA, RAQIYAH will best represent Umm Qarn in the prestigious October meeting at Longchamps.   He comments “Raqiyah is a very nice filly; each time she runs she improves and as the best age for Arabs is probably five, she can only get better and should be very good next season.  In October she will run in the  Arabian World Cup with GENERAL who is also very good so we will see who wins.”

Umm Qarn Farm stallion progeny dominated the Dubai Day meeting at Newbury Uk on 18th July 2010. 

Amer progeny,Athbah Stud's Nokomys (Amer/KTP Mystic Flight) beat Umm Qarn's Al Anqa (Amer/Sarahmina) by only a short head in the Group 1 Hatta International Stakes.  Mu'azzaz (Amer/Massamarie) won the Meydan International Stakes; Jaafer (Amer/Madjela) won the Group 1 Shadwell Dubai International Stakes; Takaamul (Djebbel/Valina des Fabries) won the Jebel Ali Racecourse Premier Handicap Stakes.

Raqiyah (Amer/Sarahmina) bred by Umm Qarn Farm, won the Group 1 President of the UAE Cup (Coupe D'Europe) over 2000m at Saint Cloud in France on 27th June 2010.  Raqiyah beat Nayef Al Khalidiah by a length and a half and Umm Qarn's Damis (Amer/Kachia) in third.  It was a three out of four for Amer progeny, as Al Fatih, bred by Umm Qarn and now sold, came in fourth.

Al Dahma (Amer /Al Hanoof) claimed a final Group 1 victory at Rayyan Park last night with a convincing win over her stablemates, Raqiyah and Damis.  Her win seemed never in doubt in a race dominated by UK bred Amer progeny and was her second consecutive victory in this race.

Al Dahma (Amer/Al Hanoof) held off her full brother General in the Qatar International Trophy Championship at Rayyan Park last night to add another Group 1 win to her record. It was a good night for Umm Qarn Farm, with three other wins from homebred horses.  Shaima (Amer/Amwaj), partnered by 16 year old Qatari lady jockey Khadija Abdulwaheed, won the Fegentri Graduation Plate; Raqiyah (Amer/Sarahmina) beat Al Shahania's Asraa Min Albarq in the stakes race and Dherwah (Djebbel / Al Johwarah) won the local bred stakes race beating Arkan Al Naif by a neck.