HH THE AMIR SWORD FESTIVAL REVIEW 2022: FEBRUARY 17-19, 2022

Samlla Builds On His Promise In The Qatar International Cup

The Qatar International Cup (Gr1PA) produced an eye-catching performance from the four-year-old Samlla, who made the most of his age allowance, under jockey Maxime Guyon. The pair won by nearly 3l from Jabalah with stablemate Djafar in third.

Trained by Francois Rohaut for HE Sheikha Reem bint

Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani, the colt confirmed the promise he had shown when recording his first top-level win in Deauville’s Al Rayyan Cup the previous year. Bred by Al Shahania Stud, he is a son of their farm’s promising stallion Assy, the first Qatari-bred horse to win the HH The Amir Sword.

Taxiwala Speeds To Second Dukhan Sprint Win

Taxiwala recorded back-to-back wins in the Qatari Group 3, the Dukhan Sprint, in a faster time than in 2021. Partnered on this occasion by Ronan Thomas for owner-trainer Osama Al-Dafea, the then five-yearold looked as good as ever, scoring by 2l from UK raider Regional, with X Force again claiming third place.

Double For Ghazali

Khalifa bin Sheal Al Kuwari’s colours were also victorious in the Al Rayyan Mile, a Qatari Group 2, when carried by Nuance, ridden by Guyon for trainer Gassim Ghazali, while Al Kuwari’s Moshrif secured further success for Francois Rohaut and Jim Crowley when taking the HH The Amir Silver Sword for four-year-old Arabians. Ghazli achieved a double with Thunderstone winning the HH The Amir Shalfa for Al Wasmiyah Farm, ridden by Tom Marquand.

Friday’s Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cup, a Qatari Group 3, saw another win for France with the Christophe Ferland-trained Pao Alto, ridden by Maxime Guyon winning by just under 2l for the owner Wertheimer & Frere.

H.H. The Amir also honoured the sponsors of the Festival: QNB as the title sponsor of the Festival and sponsor of the Silver Sword, Al Hazm the sponsor of the Gold Sword, Longines presenter of the H.H. The Amir Trophy, and Manateq, sponsor of the Shalfa.

H.E. Issa Bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi, QREC Chairman, was present during the trophy presentation.