Doha, February 13 (QNA) - The HH The Amir Sword Equestrian Festival featured eight races on the Al Rayyan turf track at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club on Friday.

"Doha Bu Thila," owned by Wathnan Racing, and "Al Faisal," owned by Al Emadi Racing, shared top honors in the eighth and main race for the Al Rayyan Cup for locally bred Thoroughbreds aged four years and older over 2,000 meters. The pair crossed the finish line together following a thrilling and closely contested finale.

Doha Bu Thila was ridden by jockey Soufiane Saadi and trained by Alban de Mieulle, who secured his second victory of the day, while Al Faisal was partnered by jockey Maxime Guyon.

In the seventh race for the Al Zubarah Cup for locally bred Purebred Arabians aged four years and older over 2,000 meters, "Zahran Al Shahania," owned by North Racing, maintained a perfect record with his fourth consecutive win, handing jockey Pierre-Charles Boudot his third victory of the meeting.

The sixth race, the Speed Cup for rated Purebred Arabians aged four years and older over 1,200 meters, was claimed by "Rassasi," owned by Al Rahmani Racing, who secured his third win in five starts under jockey Christophe Soumillon.

In the fifth race for the GCC Cup for Purebred Arabians bred in Gulf Cooperation Council countries, aged four years and older over 1,600 meters, "Fattak Al Shahania," owned by HE Sheikha Yasmine bint Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Thani, delivered a strong performance to confirm his status as a rising champion. He was ridden by jockey Lukas Delozier.

The fourth race, the Al Maha Cup for Thoroughbreds aged three years and older over 1,750 meters, was won by "Worming," owned by Khalid bin Ghanim bin Mohammed Al Rabia Al Kuwari, with Christophe Soumillon in the saddle.

In the third race for the Saada Cup for Purebred Arabians aged four years and older over 1,750 meters, "Gharra," owned by Al Wasmiyah Stud, claimed first place under jockey Pierre-Charles Boudot.

The second race, for the Purebred Arabian Cup for four-year-olds over 1,750 meters, saw "Qaddah," owned by Wathnan Racing, secure an impressive second consecutive victory under jockey James Doyle. The trophies were presented by Jenny Haynes, Chief Executive Officer of the Arabian Racing Organisation in Britain.

The opening race, the Speed Cup for Thoroughbreds (80-100 rating) aged four years and older over 1,200 meters, was won by "Thunder Flow," owned by Ahmed Hassan Al Maliki Al Jehani. The horse surged clear in the final straight to win decisively by six and a quarter lengths under jockey Pierre-Charles Boudot. (QNA)