THERE was no luck for the Irish raiders at the big meeting in Doha, Qatar, last Friday with Cairo and Ryan Moore faring best for Ballydoyle. The Quality Road colt went down by a neck to Brave Emperor (Luke Morris/Archie Watson in the local Group 3 Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cup over a turf mile.
Ado McGuinness sent Go Athletico, the mount of Ronan Whelan, for the local Group 3 Dukhan Sprint over six furlongs and though prominent early, he was pushed along over three out, and weakened to finish eighth of the nine runners.
The race saw another big win for Saffie Osborne for her father Jamie Osborne, when Emaraaty Ana held off Monsieur Noir by a head with Godolphin’s Mischief Magic a half-length back in third.
On the Friday she had become the first female rider to win at Meydan when partnering Ouzo to win the Lord Glitters Handicap Presented by Al Tayer Motors Handicap at Meydan for her father.
The feature race was the Group 3 H H The Amir Trophy over a mile and a half and worth £1,122,047 to the winner.
It brought more success for Godolphin, William Buick and Charlie Appleby with the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Rebel’s Romance who beat Zeffiro by three lengths.
Ryan Moore partnered Point Lonsdale for Aidan O’Brien but after tracking the leaders, he was one paced from a furlong out, and short of room, was eased inside final furlong to finish last of the 11.