Watch the race replay as Russian Emperor lands a famous victory for Hong Kong over an international field for the $2.5m HH The Amir Trophy in Qatar.
Qatar: Russian Emperor, a Royal Ascot winner in his former life for Aidan O’Brien, landed a famous victory for Hong Kong in the HH The Amir Trophy on Saturday afternoon [Feb 18] at Al Rayyan.
Now trained by former HK riding legend Douglas Whyte, the six-year-old was settled at the rear of the field throughout against runners from Ireland, France, the UAE and Qatar in the $2.5 million contest over 2,400 metres (1m4f) in Doha.
Jockey Alberto Sanna bided his time aboard last season’s Hong Kong champion stayer before peeling out on the turn for home to loom large with 300m left to run.
Surging with an unanswerable late burst, Russian Emperor became the first winner for Hong Kong in Qatar as he held Godolphin’s Warren Point by a half-length with French-trained Bolthole a similar margin away in third.
“It’s amazing – it’s the first time I have travelled a horse abroad and I’m only new to the training ranks but he’s a special horse to me,” said Whyte.
“I’ve won two Group 1 races with him in Hong Kong and I just thought he was the right horse to travel with temperament-wise. I must say that he’s really blossomed since he’s landed in Qatar,” added the 13-time HK champion jockey.
Russian Emperor won the Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2020 for former trainer O’Brien, who landed the $500,000 Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cup (local G2) with 2020 Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Order Of Australia on the undercard.
Russian Emperor holds entries for both the Dubai Sheema Classic and Dubai Turf at Meydan on Dubai World Cup night [March 25].
Italian rider Sanna, who is based in Qatar, was elated with. “All the credit to Douglas, who was my friend when I was there (in Hong Kong),” he said. “He trusted me and he put me back on his top horse.
“It’s very good and a happy race for me,” added Sanna. “Everything went to plan and dreams come true sometimes.”
Senor Toba – who also represented Hong Kong in the race – finished a gallant seventh after racing between runners early on under jockey Harry Bentley for trainer Caspar Fownes.
France’s Inverness finished fourth, while the O’Brien-trained Broome crossed in fifth position. The latter’s stablemate Stone Age, the Breeders’ Cup Turf runner-up, was last of 12 under Ryan Moore.
On a day of notable overseas success in Qatar, former British champion jockey Oisin Murphy continued his comeback with victory in the Dukhan Sprint (local G3) on Hugo Palmer-trained Flaming Rib. John & Thady Gosden were also on the scoresheet as Alzahir won the Al Rayyan Mile (local G2) for three-year-olds under Andrea Atzeni.
• Visit the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club website
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