Boudot guides Lady De Faust to Athbah Cup win

Doha, Qatar: Lady De Faust delivered an emphatic performance to land the Athbah Cup with a win Purebred Arabian Premium Maiden over 1400m feature race at Al Uqda Racecourse yesterday.

Making her 9th career start and 2nd appearance in Qatar, the 5YO bay mare built on her 4th place finish in the 4YO PA Oaks in December, asserting her authority with ease. Under a hands-and-heels ride in the home straight, she powered clear to score by 5 lengths, completing a double on the evening for owner Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari, trainer Julian Smart and jockey Pierre Charles Boudot.

Pierre Charles Boudot guides Lady De Faust to Athbah Cup victory. PICS: Juhaim/QREC

Head of Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club’s Racing Operations Section Rashid Saed Adiba presented the trophies to the winners.

Earlier in the seven-race meeting, Ghafan powered clear to win a Local Thoroughbred Handicap over 1200m by 3¼ lengths, producing a strong finish under Jefferson Smith for owner-trainer Ibrahim Khaled Elahmed, with Barq Al Atam and Al Nasr Al Washeek completing the frame.

Khalil Du Croate returned to winning form in a Purebred Arabian Handicap over 2200m, edging out Jalaad Al Shahania by a quarter length, with Farhan finishing third. The gelding was ridden by Boudot for trainer Smart.

In Local Thoroughbred Handicap over 2100m, Al Gamamah claimed title winning by a head under Tomas Lukasek for owner-trainer Ibrahim Saeed Ibrahim Al Malki.

RB Hot Mess produced a decisive late surge over 2200m in a Purebred Arabian Handicap, scoring by three lengths for owner Yosuf Ahmad Telfat, trainer Bader Al Balushi and jockey Alberto Sanna, with Dahman Al Shahania and Namar completing the placings.

Al Shalfa SK shed her maiden tag in a Local Thoroughbred Handicap over 1200m, taking the lead in the home straight to win by a length for owner Lekhreib Stud, trainer Abdulla Dhabit Aldosari, and jockey Salman Fahad Al-Hajri.

Meanwhile, Bin La Hoor finally broke his maiden in a Local Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate over 2200m, scoring by a length on his tenth career start. Ridden by Szczepan Mazur for trainer Mohammed Hassan Al Matwi, he produced a strong late surge to claim victory, with Agshar and Al Qaws completing a tight finish.

35th Al Uqda Race Meeting - Athbah Cup

WINNERS: (Horse, Trainer, Jockey)

Athbah Cup, Purebred Arabian Premium Maidens

Lady De Faust, Julian Smart, Pierre Charles Boudot

Local Thoroughbred Handicap (55-80)

Ghafan, Ibrahim Khaled Elahmed, Jefferson Smith

Purebred Arabian Handicap (75-95)

Khalil Du Croate, Julian Smart, Pierre Charles Boudot

Local Thoroughbred Handicap (45-65)

Al Gamamah, Ibrahim Saeed Ibrahim Al Malki, Tomas Lukasek

Purebred Arabian Handicap (45-65)

RB Hot Mess, Bader Al Balushi, Alberto Sanna

Local Thoroughbred Handicap (0-45)

Al Shalfa SK, Abdulla Dhabit Aldosari, Salman Fahad Al-Hajri

Local Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate

Bin La Hoor, Mohammed Hassan Al Matwi, Szczepan Mazur