Emperor Maximus ruled the Qatar Derby

The Qatar International Derby meeting at Al Rayyan Racecourse is always highlight of the racing season. The meeting was held under the patronage of HE Salah Bin Ghanem Al-Ali, the Minister of Sports and Youth, and His Excellency presented the trophies to the connections of Emperor Maximus, winners of the day’s feature, the Qatar Derby (QA G1) for thoroughbreds, in presence of HE Issa Bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi, QREC Chairman.

Al Rufaa Racing’s Emperor Maximus, ridden by Marco Casamento for trainer Gassim Ghazali, put up an improved performance to win the headline contest. Placed in five of his six starts in France, the son of Holy Roman Emperor had finished second on his Qatar debut, though was out of the frame in the Derby Trial.

Winning next time when stepped up in trip, the return to 2000m for the Derby proved no problem – Casamento had him handily placed in third throughout. Entering the final 500m Emperor Maximus responded readily to Casamento’s urgings, quickly challenging the leader Upton Park, to go clear by less than 2l at the line. Persian Royal stayed on for third.

First Run Over 2000m In Qatar Is A Winning One For Moshrif

Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari’s Moshrif, ridden again by Jim Crowley, confirmed his three-year-old Derby win of last season with success in the Qatar International Derby (Gr2PA) for four-year-olds.

A dual Group 1PA winner in France over 2000m, this was the Francois Rohaut trained four-year-old’s first attempt over the distance in Qatar, which saw him win by 5l over Sahab, a greater margin than in the previous year’s contest. Harganwas a further two and a half lengths away in third.

Al Ghadeer Enjoys Success On Al Shaqab Racing Debut

Last year’s Group 3PA Qatar Derby for three-year-old Arabians may have heralded the arrival of a new star –Al Ghadeer, dropping back to a mile for the first time, continued his winning streak.

He is another top performer trained by Rohaut, and the son of world champion Al Mourtajez was making his debut in the Al Shaqab Racing colours having won two Group 1 PA contests in France for Al Wasmiya Racing.

Despite racing freely in the early stages, Maxime Guyon soon gave Al Ghadeer his head allowing him to stride on and, though given a sustained challenge by AJS Jamran in the straight, he prevailed by half a length. The pair finished well clear of the third, AA Feel The Burn.

Arqana Purchase Bariloche Wins The Al Rayyan Stakes

In the Al Rayyan Stakes for two-year-old thoroughbreds, Wathnan Racing’s Bariloche, trained by Alban de Mieulle and ridden by Ronan Thomas, gained his second win at the Al Rayyan course.

Bariloche, who was a purchase at the Arqana Saint-Cloud Arc Horses In Training Sale in October, reeled in the Archie Watson-trained British raider Eddie’s Boy, who was attempting to win from the front. The locally trained Mister Staple was a further length adrift in third.