Double delight for Wathan Racing at Qatar Goodwood Festival

Posted by author August 3, 2024 Horse Racing

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The Qatar Goodwood Festival racing saw seven thrilling races yesterday, with two more wins in the colours of Wathnan Racing. Under James Doyle, Haunted Dream recorded a thrilling win in the Regent Seven Seas Cruises Bentinck Conditions Stakes, giving his trainer Hamad al-Jehani his first victory at Goodwood. Ali bin Yousef al-Kubaisi, General Supervisor of Racing at Wathnan Racing, received the trophy.

Only 30 minutes later, Wathnan Racing’s colours were in the winners’ enclosure again as Artagnan completed a quick-fire double for Wathnan Racing, claiming the Hawes & Curtis Nursery Handicap. The two-year-old colt is trained by K R Burke and was ridden by David Egan. Ali bin Yousef al-Rumaihi, General Manager of Wathnan Racing, received the winning owner’s trophy.

Meanwhile, Big Evs won King George Qatar Stakes, the feature event of the fourth day of the festival. After an excellent third in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot on his last run, the three-year-old Big Evs reversed the form with Asfoora (Flying Artie) to win the Group 2 race.

Owned by RP Racing Ltd and trained by Michael Appleby, the superb colt has now won six races from nine starts. Ridden by Tom Marquand, Big Evs raced in second in a race led by Ponntos. Left in the lead inside the final 400m, the son of Blue Point had to be tough to hold the late challenge of Australian raider Asfoora who only failed by a short head in second. Believing ran a blinder from last to third.

Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti, General Manager of Katara culture village, in presence of Salem bin Khejaim al-Adbi, QREC Director of Public Relations & External Communications and Marketing, crowned the winners after the race.

The curtain will fall today of the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC)-sponsored Qatar Goodwood Festival. Today’s racing at Goodwood will see seven races and the feature will be the Group 2 Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes. Twelve fillies and mares will go under starters order, including the Group 2 winner Melo Melo owned by Wathnan Racing; the very consistent Free Wind, who will run in the silks of George Strawbridge; the recent Group 3 winner at Fairyhouse, Ireland, Grateful, trained by Aidan O’Brien; as well as last year’s edition winner Sumo Sam.