A winning start to 2026 for Arman (and our man)

HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al Thani Day – it’s become the traditional first major meeting of the Doha new year, and Wathnan celebrated in front of a holiday crowd with a treble. A distinguished one at that, with victories for two talented Arabians and a valiant old favourite, all ridden with stylish determination by retained rider James Doyle.

Intisar de Monlau is a high-achieving mare who, despite her talent, has been coming up just short in the ultra-competitive filly and mare division for Purebred Arabians: good as she is, the likes of Chdia and RB Mary Lylah are, well, just better. The good news for her is that both stayed at home in their stalls, leaving the open division of the HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al Thani Cup seemingly at her mercy. Sure enough, she breezed to the front but had to battle on stoutly to keep the onrushing colts at bay. Win number one for 2026.

Arman and our man James made it two in the equivalent race for Qatar-bred Arabians. Then, with night rapidly falling and under a big moon, old favourite Equinoxe (and we do mean old: he turned nine with the changing of the years) went clear to claim his fourth French King Cup. A 23rd career win and, said his jockey, he’s never felt better. That’s some testament to his trainer Alban de Mieulle and the Wathnan team.