Friendly Soul, Erdenali shine at Qatar Arc Trials

Doha, Qatar: The Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC)-sponsored Qatar Arc Trials delivered a day of high-class action at ParisLongchamp yesterday. A stacked nine-race card, comprising seven Group contests run under the Qatar banner, served up an afternoon of exceptional quality, tense tactical battles and thrilling finishes.

Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the French Republic H E Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al Thani, QREC Chairman Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al-Attiyah, QREC Board Member Khalifa bin Mohammed Al-Attiyah and QREC Deputy CEO Ahmed Amanalla Al-Sheebani crowned the winners of the day’s feature races.RIGHT: Jockey James Doyle rides Friendly Soul towards the finish line. PICS: scoopdyga mieszalniakolorado.pl

Friendly Soul lands second Gr.1 in Qatar Prix Vermeille

Friendly Soul, the five-year-old mare, recorded the second Gr.1 victory of her career by winning the Gr.1 Qatar Prix Vermeille over 2400m.

The race was reserved for three-year-old and older fillies and mares and attracted a strong field of thirteen runners.

Trained by John & Thady Gosden, ridden by James Doyle, and owned by George Strawbridge, Friendly Soul showed plenty of courage to make all and hold on strongly in the closing stages.

Friendly Soul broke very well and quickly found herself in front, with no other runner showing much interest in taking the lead.

QREC Chairman Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al-Attiyah awarded the trophies to the connections of Erdenali.

She raced a little keen in the early stages, while Tattycoram settled in second position behind her.

At the end of the back straight, Composing moved up on the outside of Friendly Soul and began to put pressure on the leader. In the false straight, the two mares suddenly increased the pace and quickly pulled around four to five lengths clear of the rest of the field, with Tattycoram in third and Sparan Nua in fourth.

Entering the final straight, Composing began to weaken, leaving Friendly Soul alone in front and still clear of the rest. Inside the final 300m, she continued to hold a good advantage, while Pink Panthera started to make strong progress from behind.

Pink Panthera continued to close in the final stages, but Friendly Soul showed a very good attitude and kept finding enough under pressure to hold off her rivals. She eventually won by three-quarters of a length, with Pink Panthera finishing second and Sunly taking third.

Erdenali excels in Qatar Prix du Moulin de Longchamp

Erdenali, the progressive three-year-old gelding, recorded the biggest success of his young career by winning the Gr.1 Qatar Prix du Moulin de Longchamp over 1600m.

Aga Khan Studs-owned Daryz (right) on the way to win the Gr.2 Qatar Prix Foy.

Trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, ridden by Mickael Barzalona, and owned and bred by Aga Khan Studs SC, the homebred colt showed once again the quality he had displayed from the start of his career.

Erdenali broke well and was soon settled in midfield, just behind the favourite Gstaad. The race was led by Dorset and the very keen Opera Ballo, who both helped set a strong tempo.

Entering the false straight, the two leaders increased the pace again and opened up a gap of around two lengths. Erdenali, meanwhile, was travelling very strongly in fifth position, still behind Gstaad.

As most of his rivals began to come under pressure approaching the final straight, Erdenali was still travelling comfortably. With a few lengths to make up on the leaders, Mickael Barzalona began to ask him for an effort and he quickly moved into third position, while Ten Bob Tony challenged him on the outside.

Inside the final 200m, Erdenali went past Opera Ballo, but Ten Bob Tony was still right alongside him and continued to challenge strongly.

However, inside the final 100m, Erdenali found something extra and pulled away again to win by one and a quarter lengths. Ten Bob Tony finished second, while Gstaad took third.

H M Alchahine dominates Qatar Cup – Prix Dragon

H M Alchahine, the six-year-old Purebred Arabian, recorded another top-level success by winning the Gr.1 (PA) Qatar Cup – Prix Dragon over 2000m.

Trained by Mme Jean-François Bernard, ridden by Cristian Demuro, and owned by Mr Helal Alalawi, HM Alchahine produced a very easy performance to register the sixth Gr.1 (PA) victory of his career.Jockey Mickael Barzalona and Erdenali in action during the Gr.1 Qatar Prix du Moulin de Longchamp race.

HM Alchahine broke well but was soon steadied by Cristian Demuro and settled in second-last position, just behind Al Riffaa. Shaihaan led the field at a slow pace, and the positions remained mostly unchanged through the first part of the race.

Inside the final 300m, he was still cruising and had yet to be seriously asked, while Shayeg and Geneva began to fight for the minor places.

HM Alchahine soon went clear and was never in danger. Cristian Demuro only needed to ride him hands and heels inside the final 100m as he came home an easy four-length winner. Geneva stayed on to finish second, while Shayeg took third.

Meanwhile, Aga Khan Studs enjoyed a memorable afternoon, completing a treble on the card after earlier success with Erdenali, before Varandir landed the Gr.2 Qatar Prix Niel and Daryz won the Gr.2 Qatar Prix Foy.

ما يحدث لفريق الغرافة في الموسم الحالي أمر يدعو إلى الدهشة والاستغراب، فالفريق الذي قدم مستويات وعروضًا كبيرة في الموسم الماضي، ونجح في التتويج بكأس الأمير للعام الثاني على التوالي، تحول هذا الموسم إلى لغز محير لجماهيره ومحبيه.
الغرافة، الذي اعتاد أن يكون منافسًا قويًا وقادرًا على صناعة الفارق، ظهر بصورة مغايرة تمامًا، وتراجع بشكل واضح، ولم يحقق حتى الآن طموحات وآمال جماهيره التي كانت تنتظر منه مواصلة التألق والمنافسة على المراكز المتقدمة.
وبعد مرور ثلاث جولات، يقبع الفريق في المركز التاسع برصيد ثلاث نقاط فقط، جمعها من فوز وحيد مقابل خسارتين، متساويًا في الرصيد مع الشحانية، وهو ترتيب لا يتناسب إطلاقًا مع قيمة الفريق وطموحاته والإمكانيات التي وفرتها إدارة النادي. والسؤال الذي يطرح نفسه بقوة: ماذا حدث للفهود؟ وأين اختفت الشخصية التي ظهر بها الفريق في الموسم الماضي؟ وهل يستطيع الغرافة استعادة مستواه سريعًا قبل أن تتسع الفجوة ويصبح التعويض أكثر صعوبة؟
الجماهير الغرفاوية لا تطالب بالمستحيل، لكنها تنتظر فريقًا يقاتل ويقدم المستوى الذي يليق باسم الغرافة وتاريخه. فمتى تستفيق الفهود وتعود إلى مكانها الطبيعي؟خاصة وان البطل قادر على العودة في ظل دعم ادارته من اجل الانقاذ.

Doha, Qatar: Al Sadd have made a perfect start to their Qatar Stars League title defence despite entering the season with three key players sidelined by injuries, while newcomers Lusail are quickly showing they can compete at the top-flight level.

Three rounds into the season, Al Sadd are the only team with a perfect record after their 4-1 win over Al Gharafa on Saturday took them to nine points, two clear of Al Shamal and Al Rayyan.

The defending champions had been dealt an early blow even before their opening game, with Rafa Mujica, Mohamed Camara and Abdessamed Bounacer ruled out through injury. Their response has been emphatic, winning all three league matches while also overcoming Al Gharafa in the Qatar Cup semi-final last week.

Akram Afif has again been central to their strong start, scoring once and providing an assist against Al Gharafa, while the team has shown enough depth to cope with the absence of three important players.

Al Sadd will look to extend their winning run against bottom side Al Sailiya at Lusail Stadium on Thursday.

Al Sailiya have lost all three of their matches and are still without a point, giving the champions an opportunity to maintain their early advantage at the top.

While Al Sadd are setting the early standard, Lusail have emerged as one of the most encouraging stories of the opening rounds.

The newcomers recorded their first-ever QSL victory on Friday, producing an emphatic 4-0 win over Al Wakrah. It was a significant moment for a club making its debut in the top flight after winning their maiden Second Division League title last season.

Lusail had already shown promise in their opening two matches, losing narrowly 1-0 to Al Rayyan before holding Al Ahli to a 3-3 draw.

The victory over Al Wakrah took them to four points and sixth place, leaving them just one point behind Al Arabi and Al Duhail.

For coach Emanuel Mesquita, the result was important not only for the points but also for the confidence it can give a team adjusting to the demands of the top flight.

“It’s just one match and three points, but it’s important for giving the team and the players confidence,” Mesquita said.

“The group is working very well, and we feel we’re improving from match to match.”

Lusail now face another useful test when they meet Al Gharafa at Khalifa International Stadium on Friday.

Al Gharafa have three points after suffering their second successive defeat and will be looking to stop Lusail’s early momentum. Al Shamal and Al Rayyan are Al Sadd’s closest challengers after three rounds, both on seven points.

Al Shamal moved into second after recovering from a 2-1 deficit to beat Al Shahania 4-2, while Al Rayyan were held to a 1-1 draw by Al Duhail.

Al Rayyan will look to return to winning ways against Al Ahli at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on Friday. Al Ahli have four points following their 1-0 victory over Qatar SC.

Al Duhail will face Al Shahania at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Saturday. Al Arabi will meet Qatar SC at Al Thumama Stadium on the same day.

At the other end of the table, Al Sailiya remain the only team without a point after three defeats, while Qatar SC and Al Wakrah have one point each. Al Gharafa and Al Shahania have three points apiece.

أعلن الاتحاد القطري لكرة اليد رسمياً عن أجندة وبطولات الموسم الرياضي المحلي الجديد 2026-2027، التي تتضمن جدولاً زمنياً متكاملاً وشاملاً لمنافسات الرجال ومختلف مسابقات الفئات السنية، وذلك في خطوة تعكس حرص الاتحاد على انتظام المسابقات وتوفير البيئة التنافسية المثالية لجميع الأندية والفرق العاملة بمنظومة اليد القطرية لضمان أعلى مستويات الجاهزية الفنية والبدنية لجميع اللاعبين على مدار الموسم.
تتوزع منافسات الكبار للرجال على مدار الموسم المحلي وفق المواعيد المقررة بدقة لضمان انسيابية المنافسات؛ حيث تنطلق منافسات القسم الأول من الدوري العام للرجال يوم الإثنين 12 أكتوبرالقادم ، يليه انطلاق القسم الأول من كأس الاتحاد للرجال يوم الإثنين 7 ديسمبر 2026، وتتواصل المسابقات الكبرى في شهر أبريل من العام المقبل 2027 بإقامة مباريات نصف النهائي لبطولة كأس قطر للرجال يوم الخميس 1 أبريل 2027، بالتزامن مع انطلاق مرحلة التصفيات لبطولة كأس الأمير للرجال في اليوم ذاته لتشكل مسك الختام للمنافسات المحلية.
وعلى صعيد الفئات السنية، تحظى القطاعات العمرية باهتمام واسع واستثنائي عبر رزنامة مبكرة تنطلق تباعاً خلال شهري سبتمبر وأكتوبر 2026 لبناء قواعد صلبة للمستقبل؛ إذ انطلقت مباريات دوري الأشبال تحت 16 سنة (القسم الأول) يوم 20 سبتمبر الجاري ، ودوري الأمل تحت 14 سنة يوم 23 سبتمبر ، ودوري البراعم أ تحت 12 سنة (مهرجان البراعم) يوم 26 سبتمبر ، ودوري الناشئين تحت 18 سنة يوم 29 سبتمبر ، وتستكمل المسابقات بانطلاق دوري الشباب تحت 20 سنة (القسم الأول) يوم الخميس 1 أكتوبر القادم ودوري البراعم ب تحت 10 سنوات (مهرجان البراعم) 3 أكتوبر ، على أن يتم تحديد مواعيد بطولات الكؤوس الخاصة بالفئات السنية لاحقاً .
وفي سياق اخر أعلن اتحاد اليد في تعميم رسمي، عن إسقاط جميع العقوبات السارية والصادرة بحق اللاعبين والأجهزة الإدارية والفنية بالأندية، في خطوة تهدف إلى تعزيز روح الأسرة الواحدة ودعم مسيرة اللعبة بمختلف محاورها.
ويأتي هذا القرار من مجلس إدارة الاتحاد تقديراً للإنجاز التاريخي والمشرف الذي حققته الرياضة القطرية، والمتمثل في تتويج المنتخب الوطني للناشئين بالمركز الأول ولقب البطولة الآسيوية الحادية عشرة للناشئين (الأردن 2026)، والذي يجسد ثمرة الجهود الكبيرة ويعد مصدراً للفخر والاعتزاز لجميع منتسبي وأسرة كرة اليد القطرية.