Alkass English
Jungle Monarch made a winning return to the spotlight on Tuesday evening, securing his first victory of the 2026-2027 local horse racing season with an impressive triumph in the Rowdat Rashid Cup at Al Rayyan Racecourse.
The victory marked the seventh feature title of the campaign at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC), bringing a competitive nine-race meeting to an exciting conclusion.
Owned by HE Mansour bin Ibrahim bin Saad Al Mahmoud, Jungle Monarch produced a commanding performance in the 1,200-metre Thoroughbred handicap for horses aged three and above, rated 85-105. Ridden by Marco Casamento and trained by Jassim Al Ghazali, the five-year-old crossed the finish line three lengths clear of his closest challenger to secure the prestigious trophy.
The Dunkirk Lads, owned by Mohammed bin Hamad Al Fhaid Al Hajri and Sons, finished second under jockey Jefferson Smith and trainer Hadi Al Ramzani, while Sweet Fantastic, owned by Hamad Abdulhadi Manea Al Shahwani Al Hajri, took third place with Alberto Sanna in the saddle and Hamad Al Jehani as trainer.
Estithmar sets the tone with opening victory
The nine-race programme attracted a strong turnout of owners, trainers and jockeys, with horses competing across a variety of distances and categories in both the Thoroughbred and Purebred Arabian divisions.
The evening began with a dominant display from Estithmar in the opening 1,900-metre Thoroughbred handicap for horses aged three and above, rated 45-65. Representing Injaaz Stud, the winner secured a convincing six-length victory under Alberto Sanna, with Jihad Khaled Al Ahmed overseeing the training.
High Approval continued the winning momentum in the second race, claiming an emphatic six-and-a-quarter-length success in the 1,200-metre maiden for Thoroughbreds aged three to six. Owned by Abdullah Mohammed Rashid Shara'an Al Khayarin, the horse was ridden by Arnaud de Lepine and trained by Hamad Al Jehani.
The third race, a 1,200-metre maiden for two-year-old Thoroughbreds, went to Kraar, who delivered victory for owner Abdulrahman Mohammed Khalifa Abdullah Al Attiyah. With Marco Casamento aboard and Jassim Al Ghazali as trainer, Kraar finished one-and-a-quarter lengths ahead of the field.
Sanna enjoys a productive evening
Alberto Sanna continued his impressive form in the fourth race, guiding Mutheer Al Naif to victory in the 1,200-metre maiden for locally bred Purebred Arabians aged three to six.
Owned by Al Naif Racing and trained by Mohammed Khaled Al Ahmed, Mutheer Al Naif secured the race by three-and-a-half lengths, giving Sanna his second success of the meeting.
The jockey then completed a third victory of the evening aboard Jabahat in the fifth race, a 1,900-metre handicap for locally bred Thoroughbreds aged three and above, rated 0-45.
Owned by Injaaz Stud and trained by Jihad Khaled Al Ahmed, the filly produced a strong performance to win by four lengths, recording a second victory on the night for both Sanna and Al Ahmed.
Yaqoob, Hadi De Carrere and Damaah complete the winners
The sixth race, a 1,900-metre handicap for Purebred Arabians aged three and above, rated 0-75, delivered one of the closest finishes of the evening.
Yaqoob emerged victorious by just a quarter of a length for owner Hamad Mareet Saad Al Fhaid Al Hajri. Ridden by Ghanem Ahmed Al Jehani and trained by Hamad Al Jehani, the win marked the trainer's second success of the meeting.
Jassim Al Ghazali and Marco Casamento then combined for another victory in the seventh race, a 1,900-metre conditions contest for Purebred Arabians aged four and above. Their success came with Hadi De Carrere, owned by Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Faleh bin Nasser Al Thani, who finished two-and-a-half lengths ahead of his rivals.
Damaah rounded off the supporting races with victory in the eighth event, a 1,200-metre handicap for locally bred Purebred Arabians aged four and above, rated 70-95. Owned by Abdulaziz Saleh Hassan Al Jaber, the winner was ridden by Jefferson Smith and trained by Hadi Al Ramzani, securing the honours by one length.
Jungle Monarch's commanding performance in the Rowdat Rashid Cup provided a fitting finale to an entertaining evening at Al Rayyan Racecourse, highlighting the competitive depth of Qatar's local racing scene as the 2026-2027 season continues.