Reda in dramatic win as Emir’s Sword Festival kicks off at QREC

DOHA: Julian Smart-trained Reda yesterday produced an incredible gallop to the finish as Theo Bachelot clinched the Al Zubara Trophy on day one of the three-day Emir’s Sword Festival at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC).
Reda, who trailed for most part of the 2000m turf race, managed a late flourish to go past early leader Aaley Al Magam who was ridden by J P Guillambert.
Owned by H H Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani, Reda exhibited great lung power to clinch the issue in a time of 2:15.77 in the 9-rider field of the feature event of the day.
Majeed, ridden by O Peslier, edged Damas for the second spot. Majeed finished 1.25 furlongs behind Reda as Damas, ridden by Jean Baptiste Hamel, had to settle for the third spot.
“He got ready for this big race. He is a fast horse. He likes big challenges,” popular trainer Smart said after watching Bachelot grab the top prize of $85,500.
In the penultimate race of the 8-event card yesterday, veteran jockey Guillambert produced his second win of the day when he guided Receding Waves to a spectacular win in the 1200m contest.
After a fast start, Receding Waves retained its speed to corner glory in a time of 1:09.25 and finished ahead of Poet’s Song and Black Beach. Poet’s Song, who finished 1.25 furlongs behind, was ridden by Tomas Lukasek while Black Beach had Gerald Avranche in the saddle.
Guillambert, who picked up the top prize of $17,100, was thrilled with his second win of the day.
“This was an easy race since you had to have a great start which we did. My father always said the shortest way is the quickest way. We remained inside throughout after a good start. It is a very pleasing performance,” Guillambert said yesterday.
“That was the plan - to start fast and retain the speed,” he added.
Owner Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari said: “It was a big day for us. I am so happy to see such a fast run from Receding Waves. I hope we can have some more wins.”
In race six, Al Rayyan battled its way to a timely win by edging Burrishoole Abbey to the top spot. It was jockey Lukasek’s second win of the evening as Al Rayyan completed the victory in a time 1:37.78.
Guided by Harry Bentley, Burrishoole Abbey was second while Vaclav Janacek saw his ride Ard San Aer complete the top three in the 1600m turf race. Al Rayyan and Ard San Aer were trained by Hadi Nasser Rashid Al Ramzani.
In race five, Izghawa raced to a hard-fought win over British entry Broadway Icon while Catch A Wave settled for the third place in the 1200m contest.
Guided by Bachelot, Izghawa clinched the issue in a time 1:11.91. Broadway Icon, ridden by Marvin Suerland, secured the second prize while Pierantonio Convertino guided Catch A Wave to the third place out of 16 entries.
In race four, Rich History produced a well-timed dash to the finish to claim the top honours in the 2000m race at QREC. Ridden by Guillambert, Rich History emerged a winner in a time of 2:05.73.
Guillambert picked up the winning bonus of $17,100. Alizoom, ridden by Faleh Bughanaim, sealed the second spot less than a furlong behind the winner.
More Than A Dream, that had Jean Baptiste Hamel in the saddle, clinched the third place out of 16 riders.
In race three, Haddaj Dukhan just about pipped Khor Al Adaid for win in the 16-rider field. Ridden by Lukasek, Haddaj Dukhan clocked a time of 1:48.17 in the 1600m race. With Janacek in the saddle, Khod Al Adaid finished second while Marc Lerne guided Al Eshrah to the third spot. Lukasek won $11,700.
In race two, Sarmad Bu Thaila, ridden by Peslier, coasted to a narrow win in the 2000m turf race. Trained by Mohammed Khaled, Sarmad Bu Thaila clocked a time of 2:07.80 to claim the top prize of $17,100.
Al Jamaaheer, with Harry Bentley in the saddle, secured the second spot only 1.50 furlongs behind.
Bentley won $6,600. Abu Samrah, ridden by Guillambert, finished in third spot worth $3,300.
In race one, Al Mouzdaher sailed to win in the Purebred Arabian Novice Plate with jockey Bughanaim in the saddle.
Al Mouzdaher clinched the 1400m turf race in a time of 1:32.29 as Bughanaim won the top prize of $17,100.
Anwaar finished 2.25 furlongs behind to claim the second spot as Guillambert picked up $6,600. Diese, ridden by Jean Baptiste Hamel, ended the 16-rider field in third place which was worth $3,300.
Today the action continues with 8 more races on what will be day two of the Emir’s Sword Festival. The feature event today will be the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cup that offers a total prize bag of $200,000.
The top prize in the 1600m feature race is $114,000 while the second-placed rider will go home richer by $44,000.