The horse competitions of the HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani Sword Festival kicked off at Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) Al Rayyan Park on Thursday.

Meshaal Bin Ali Al Attiyah's AALEY AL MAGAM (Amer x Abigaille) won for the first time since a C&D victory back in December 2019 when JP Guillambert guided the 9yo to a fantastic victory in the AL ZUBARA TROPHY (LOCAL PUREBRED ARABIANS 4yo & older) on Day 1 of the HH the Amir Sword Festival at Al Rayyan Park on Thursday. Saddled by Gassim Ghazali in the 2000m contest, the grey horse stayed on the rails tracking leaders for the bulk of the race, before Guillambert found a gap and lined up his mount for a straight shot at the post. As the pace increased, Injaaz Stud's LEKHRAIB (AF AlBahar x Grace T), schooled by Mohammed Ghazali and ridden by Julien Auge in the feature, gave chase and stayed within striking distance of the leader. Aaley Al Magam however held on at the post to win by a head in front of Lekhraib. HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani's KHATAFAYNEE (AF AlBahar x Fifth) finished third under Maxime Guyon, edging out Ronan Thomas ridden Sealine by a neck.

Abu Fass Stud's HYDROXIDE (Lope De Vega x Craighall) had shown promise in a seven furlong run late last month, and the Mohammed Riyaz trained gelding built on that despite a drop back in trip to six furlongs to land the THOROUGHBREDS (Class 2) on Thursday. With Alberto Sanna in the saddle, the 7yo tracked early leaders before making the move coming off the bend. Hydroxide took a slight advantage closer to the post and then held on by three quarters of a length to win for the first time this season.

Noora Racing Limited's FUWAYRIT (Gutaifan x Can Dance) ended a run of minor places when the colt landed the THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP (Class 3) (75-95) in a close finish on Thursday. Helmed by Soufiane Saadi, the Alban Elie De Mieulle trained 4yo had stepped up to a mile for the first time and that extra furlong seemed to have worked the grey colt. Saadi and his partner edged out Mohammed Riyaz trained duo Noble Masterpiece and On The Line by a quarter of a length for the win.

Mansoor Ebrahim Al Mahmoud's BURANO BOY (Footstepsinthesand x Ghost Of A Girl) continued his unbeaten run in Qatar as the gelding capped a hat-trick of wins on Thursday. In the THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP (Class 4) (85 & below), Soufiane Saadi was astride the Gassim Ghazali ward for the third straight time, and the two went neck and neck with Tomas Lukasek ridden Massam at the business end of the 2000m run. An objection meant that the head victory was confirmed in favour of Burano Boy in the stewards room.

Osama Omer Al Dafea's TAHAR (TM Fred Texas x Insaf) had shown promise on his last two C&D outings earlier this season even as a victory had eluded the 6yo for a year. On Thursday, in the PUREBRED ARABIAN HANDICAP (85 & below), the grey horse changed that record landing the miler in a thrilling finish. Ridden by Carlo Fiocchi in the mile long race, Tahar edged out Ronan Thomas ridden Umm Bab by a neck at the post in a frantic finish.

Dhafi Rashid Al Marri's DUKHAN (Farhh x Dorrati) entered the winner's circle for the second straight outing after a close finish on Thursday, handing trainer Mohammed Hussain Afroz his second consecutive victory in the card. Running his longest distance so far at 2000m and with Carlos Henrique in the saddle for the first time, the 5yo topped LOCAL THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP (85 & below) by half a length as Maxime Guyon and his mount Al Hindi finished runner up.

Khalifa Bin Sheail Al Kuwari's FLIRTY RASCAL (Acclamation x Enliven) won on his turf debut in Qatar when the filly landed the THOROUGHBRED MAIDEN PLATE (Class 6) in a thrilling finish on Thursday. Runner up at Al Uqda dirt track last time round, Mohammed Hussain Afroz trained 3yo went one better this time round to win for the first time in 10 outings, having moved to Qatar earlier this season. Marco Casamento guided the bay filly to a short head victory, edging out Maxime Guyon ridden Swagger.

Umm Qarn's ANTAR (Al Mamun Monlau x Al Dahma) led a one-two for the colours and the trainer Alban Elie De Mieulle when he opened the HH the Amir Sword Festival with a comfortable victory in the PUREBRED ARABIAN PLATE (4 Year Olds) on Thursday. Winner in the Qatar Derby (Gr3 PA) over C&D, the colt was partnered by Ronan Thomas once again and the duo beat stablemate Muqla, helmed by Soufiane Saadi, by one and a half-length at the post. The win was Antar's third this season.