HH the Amir Sword Festival Concludes

Doha, February 21 (QNA) - HE Sheikha Yasmeen bint Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Thani's MON'NIA and Al Wasmiyah Farm's NOOR AL HAWA won the two US$1mn features on the final day of what has been an exciting HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani Sword Festival at Al Rayyan Park on Saturday. HE Sheikha Yasmeen bint Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani's MON'NIA (Amer x Margouia) ensured trainer Julian Smart returned to the winner's circle for the biggest prize in Purebred Arabian racing in Qatar for the sixth straight year as the filly showed some amazing pace coming off the bend, right till the post to land the H.H THE AMIR SWORD (GR1 PA) (Sponsored by Al Hazm) (PUREBRED ARABIANS 4 Year Olds & Older). Helmed by Tomas Lukasek, Mon'nia was midfield even as Umm Qarn's bin General and Jabalah set the pace up front early on in the 2400m feature. Mon'nia began her move up on the bend before pulling away. Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari's Lady Princess, trained by Thomas Fourcy, gave chase and even closed the gap but not enough to threaten the leader. HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani's EBRAZ (Amer x Massamarie) too upped the pace under Maxime Guyon with his characteristic kick, and managed to edge out Julien Auge ridden LADY PRINCESS (General x Nacree Al Maury) for the runner up spot a length and a quarter behind the winner. Al Wasmiyah Farm's NOOR AL HAWA (Makfi x Majestic Roi) continued with his fantastic season in style as the prolific winner landed the biggest Thoroughbred prize in Qatar, the 2400m HH THE AMIR TROPHY (QA GR 1) (Presented by Longines) (Class 1 THOROUGHBREDS 4 Year Olds & Older). Abdullah bin Fahad Al Attiyah's MUNIR DU SOLEIL (Munjiz x Rahab) produced a late kick to win in two different countries in as many starts. Helmed by Tomas Lukasek, the Thomas Fourcy ward bided his time and surged forward coming off the final bend. Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari's KING PACHA (Acclamation x Regina Mundi) overcame a forgettable start to land the HH THE AMIR SHALFA (4 Year Olds & Older Class 1 THOROUGHBREDS 85 & Above) in scintillating fashion on Saturday. Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari's DEVIOUS COMPANY (Fast Company x Seren Devious) was first of the two win for the colours on the final day of HH The Amir Sword Festival when the Mohammed Ghazali schooled colt landed the AL BIDDAH MILE (QA Gr 2) (THOROUGHBREDS (Class 1) 3 Year Olds Only) in fine fashion on Saturday. Osama Omer Al Dafea's TAXIWALA (Holy Roman Emperor x It's True) improved his strike rate this term when landing fourth win this season on Thursday. Winner in the Muaither Cup in January and then the Al Shaqab Racing Trophy over the distance earlier this month, the gelding his own under pressure from an Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki trained duo Zyzzyva and X Force especially the former. In the six furlong DUKHAN SPRINT (QA Gr 3) (Sponsored by Breeders' Cup) (3 Year Olds & Older), Alberto Sanna and his mount held a slender advantage at the business end and held on even as Ryan Curatolo ridden Zyzzyva couldn't find the reserves to put the affair to bed despite breathing down the leader's neck. HE Sheikha Reem bint Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani's METHGAL (TM Fred Texas x Theeba) won the QATAR INTERNATIONAL CUP (GR1 PA)(Sponsored by Daam) (4 Year Olds & Older) for the second consecutive year with a fantastic run down coming off the final bend on Saturday. Al Jeryan Stud's AL LUSAIL (Footstepsinthesand x Gooey) went one step better than last year in the AL RAYYAN BREEDERS CUP (LOCAL THOROUGHBREDS 4 Year Olds & Older) to win the 2000m affair in a thrilling contest that went right down to the wire. Helmed by Alberto Sanna, the Hadi Al Ramzani schooled 7yo built on a promising run of results, hattrick on return this term, to embellish the season with a big win. (QNA)