Al Shaqab Racing's Afjan finishes with a flourish in UAE President Cup (Gr.3 PA)
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Qatar Tribune
a day ago
- Qatar Tribune
Al Shaqab Racing's Sahlan strikes in Gr.3 Prix Daphnis at Deauville
Tribune News Network Doha Sahlan (Wootton Bassett), a talented 3-year-old colt, returned to winning ways in style when taking the Gr.3 Prix Daphnis – Samuel Liberman over 1600m at Deauville in France on Sunday. The race, for 3-year-olds only, brought together a competitive field of 12 runners. Trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, ridden by Mickaël Barzalona, and owned and bred by Al Shaqab Racing, the homebred had previously shown his class when beaten just a nose by a smart rival in the Gr.3 Prix de Fontainebleau on his seasonal return. While things didn't go his way in his next two outings, Sahlan bounced back here to secure a deserved first Group victory. Restrained towards the rear from the start, Sahlan settled in ninth alongside Tito Mo Cen (Uncle Mo), a long way behind the front-runner and race favourite Scoville (Too Darn Hot), who was setting a strong pace. As the field bunched up entering the final bend, the leader kicked clear with Madero (Lope De Vega) in pursuit, while Sahlan was still improving gradually, looking for a gap on the outside. Once in the clear, he quickened smartly, storming past his rivals to take the lead inside the final 100 metres, ultimately winning by a length and a half from Ciaran (Van Beethoven), with Silius (Dubawi) taking third. Bred by Al Shaqab Racing, Sahlan is out of Wasmya (Toronado), a Listed winner over 1400m at three. Wasmya is a daughter of Lamorlaye (Danehill Dancer) and a half-sister to Wahdan (Siyouni), a winner over 1900m at three and third in a Gr.2 over 2000m at the same age. She is also a half-sister to Talbah (Style Vendome), a winner over 1500m and third in a Gr.3 over 1400m at three.
Qatar Tribune
2 days ago
- Qatar Tribune
Barsham stars as Al Sadd beat Morocco's Wydad 5-4 on penalties for Al Ahrar Cup
TNN/QNA Doha Goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham emerged hero as Al Sadd edged Morocco's Wydad AC 5-4 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in regulation time to lift the Al Ahrar Cup at the at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Sunday. The friendly between the two teams was also a pre-cursor for Al Sadd ahead of the Doha Bank Stars League (which begins August 14) and the 2025-26 football season . The absorbing shootout saw the first nine strikes from either sides find the net before Barsham cut off Wydad's final kick diving to his right. Earlier, Al Sadd took the lead through striker and skipper Akram Afif in the 56th minute from a penalty kick, before Hamza Al Wasti equalized for Wydad in the 67th minute. The match was at a good technical level from both sides, as Al Sadd took the initiative to attack but collided with an organized defense from Wydad. Al Sadd's new player, Pau Brem, who has come from Barcelona, made a distinguished appearance in terms of possession, as did the movements of Uruguayan midfielder Agustin Soria, in addition to the penetrations of Algerian Youssef Atal in the midfield. Wydad's defence imposed strict control on Al Sadd's front two, Akram Afif and Spaniard Rafa Mujica, making it difficult for them to penetrate the penalty area. Moroccan Nordin Amrabat almost scored from the right side, but Al Sadd defender Pedro blocked his shot in the 30th minute. Afif responded with an attempt on the right side, but the Moroccan side's defenders succeeded in clearing the ball in the 37th minute. The score remained goalless until the end of the first half. In the second session, Al Sadd coach Felix Sanchez replaced defender Ahmed Suhail with former Wolfsburg player Paulo Otavio in an attempt to activate the flanks. Algerian Youssef Atal tried to score from inside the penalty area, but was obstructed by Wydad defender Mohamed Rabhi resulting in a scored from the spot to give Al Sadd beating goalkeeper Mehdi Ben Abid to his left. Wydad sought to amend the situation, and an opportunity was available to its Burkinabe player Aziz Ki from a direct free kick from outside the area but Al Sadd goalkeeper Barsham brilliantly cleared the ball away. Wydad's coach made some changes in midfield, bringing in Hamza Al Wasiti and Brazilian defender Guilherme Ferreira. Wydad soon equalized with a header from substitute Hamza El Wasti, who capitalized on a cross from teammate Nordin Amrabat from the right. The goal was awarded after a VAR in the 67th minute. Al Sadd captain Hassan Al Haydos almost put Al Sadd back in the lead with a powerful shot from outside striking zone but Wydad goalkeeper Ben Obaid saved the situation in the 90th minute.
Qatar Tribune
05-08-2025
- Qatar Tribune
RB Kingmaker confirms top-level credentials in QREC-sponsored Gr.1 (PA) Doha Cup
Tribune News Network Doha The experienced RB Kingmaker (Baseq Al Khalediah) landed a well-deserved Group 1 success in the 2000 metre contest for 4-year-olds and up in a top-class Purebred Arabian card of the QREC-sponsored Gr1 PA Doha Cup (Prix Manganate) at Deauville in France on Tuesday. Khalifa bin Mohammed Al Attiyah, QREC Board Member, presented the trophies to the winners Trained by Mme Jean-François Bernard, ridden confidently by Cristian Demuro, and racing in the colours of Helal Alalawi, the six-year-old horse delivered a powerful performance in a small but select field of five. Restrained early to let the pacemakers do their job, RB Kingmaker sat fourth. With Joe Star (Al Mourtajez) increasing the pace in front, and Al Zwair (TM Fred Texas) tracking in second for stablemate Luwsail (Al Mourtajez), RB Kingmaker settled about four to five lengths behind the leading trio, while Moshrif (Dahess) travelled at the rear. Still going strongly down the back straight, the order remained unchanged, but RB Kingmaker crept closer and joined the leaders approaching the final bend. In the turn for home, he travelled powerfully and swept past the fading Al Zwair to join Luwsail, who was being niggled along. Without being asked for maximum effort, RB Kingmaker quickly took the lead entering the final 400 metres and drew clear in dominant fashion to win by four lengths. Luwsail went a clear second, while Moshrif was third. A very emotional winning trainer said after the race: 'He is an extraordinary horse. I want to thank Mickael Forest, who does an outstanding, precision job with his pacemaker. He set exactly the right pace at exactly the right moment. Cristian is a top jockey. He's a craftsman as well.' Bred by Diane Waldron (USA), RB Kingmaker is out of RB Royale Madame (Majd Al Arab), a debut winner over 1200m on dirt at three. She has also produced RB Fassynator (Assy), Group-placed in the United States, and RB Kings Bay (General), a three-time winner over 1400m and 1600m.
