Meeting 44 Results – Seven Mapfre Silver Championship Heats Decided
Meeting 44 of the 2026 season took place at the Malta Equidrome on Friday, 9 October. Among the highlights were winning Maltese debuts for Irish Parker, Hunicois and Harry Challeonnais, a ninth victory of the year for Kamila des Monts, and a driving double for Cherise Farrugia, who partnered both Kamila des Monts and Iniesta Sport to victory.
Race 1 – P & M Farrugia Condition Race Qualifiers
Java de Beuvron, driven by part-owner Michael Grech, opened the meeting with victory in the Bronze-class qualifier.
After racing in the second half of the field during the early stages, Java de Beuvron gradually moved into contention down the back straight. Grech remained patient before taking the mare three wide with around 300 metres remaining, and she responded with a sharp turn of foot to take the lead in the home straight and win by a length.
- Java de Beuvron — Michael Grech
- First des Pleignes — Paul Galea
- Hardie de Bussiere — Noel Baldacchino
- Last Gift C.G. — Carl Caruana
Race 2 – Mapfre Silver Championship Heat No. 1
Fast continued his excellent form following the summer break, making it two consecutive victories with regular driver Pierre Cuschieri.
Starting from number seven, Fast quickly moved past early leader Bys Googoo Star and secured the rail within the opening 300 metres. From there Cuschieri was able to control the race, with Fast responding when asked for more in the closing stages to hold off his challengers.
- Fast — Pierre Cuschieri
- Bys Googoo Star — Charles Camilleri
- Gold de Berg — Dylan Baldacchino
- Fosbury Zet — Noel Baldacchino
Race 3 – Mapfre Silver Championship Heat No. 2
Irish Parker made an impressive start to his racing career in Malta, winning on debut for driver Frederick Mallia.
After initially settling towards the rear, Irish Parker followed Excellent Day through the field before eventually finding a position behind the leader. The pair broke clear of their rivals over the final 600 metres and turned the finish into a match race.
Mallia brought Irish Parker out for his challenge in the home straight, and the gelding produced a strong sprint to get past Excellent Day and win by half a length.
- Irish Parker — Frederick Mallia
- Excellent Day — Silio Schembri
- Hoela Lesmelchen — Silvio Schembri
- Jewel Meslois — Redent Magro
Race 4 – Mapfre Silver Championship Heat No. 3
Another horse making a winning Maltese debut was Hunicois, who prevailed in a closely fought third Silver Championship heat for Dylan Baldacchino.
Hunicois was involved in the early battle for the lead before settling behind Gambit Gibus. After losing some ground as the field reshuffled on the final lap, Baldacchino moved his horse into the clear with around 600 metres remaining.
Indien de Bry entered the final turn in front, but Hunicois finished strongly in the home straight to reel him in and secure victory by half a length.
- Hunicois — Dylan Baldacchino
- Indien de Bry — Jurgen Grech
- Illuminati — Alex Cortis
- Helia de Bruyere — Andrew Farrugia
Race 5 – Mapfre Silver Championship Heat No. 4
Harry Chaleonnais produced one of the closest finishes of the evening, giving young driver Dwayne Farrugia a victory on their first outing together.
Harry Chaleonnais secured a good position in third on the rails during the early stages before Farrugia moved away from the inside to follow Mr Zimmerman on the final lap.
With around 250 metres remaining, Farrugia switched out again and asked Harry Chaleonnais for his effort. He responded strongly, catching Sara J.E. right at the finish to win by a head.
- Harry Chaleonnais — Dwayne Farrugia
- Sara J.E. — Nathaniel Barbara
- Mr Zimmerman — Ludovic Ghigo
- Ile de Fada — Kurt Saliba
Race 6 – Mapfre Silver Championship Heat No. 5
Kamila des Monts returned to winning ways with Cherise Farrugia, recording an impressive ninth victory of the year.
Farrugia allowed the early leaders to settle before moving forward on the outside, taking command after approximately 700 metres. Once in front, Kamila des Monts controlled proceedings and remained strong all the way to the line.
Onas Sabina, who had tracked the winner, finished strongly along the inside to take second from Infinity of Joy in the closing metres.
- Kamila des Monts — Ms. Cherise Farrugia
- Onas Sabina — Marco Debono
- Infinity of Joy — Mario Farrugia (Niger)
- Genievre — Charles Camilleri
Race 7 – Mapfre Silver Championship Heat No. 6
Indiana Buroise and Charles Camilleri produced a thrilling late finish to take the sixth Mapfre Silver Championship heat.
Ice Dream Royal was quickest from the autostart, while Indiana Buroise used her inside draw to settle behind the leader. Camilleri found a way into the clear with around 600 metres remaining, although the mare hung inwards around the final turn and briefly appeared to lose ground.
Once straightened in the home stretch, Indiana Buroise produced an excellent finishing burst, catching Ice Dream Royal in the final metres and winning by half a length.
- Indiana Buroise — Charles Camilleri
- Ice Dream Royal — Rodney Gatt
- Quite E.Wood — Jean Pierre Farrugia
- Ermes Jet — Paul Galea
Race 8 – Mapfre Silver Championship Heat No. 7
The final race of the evening went to Iniesta Sport, completing a double on the card for driver Cherise Farrugia.
Iniesta Sport spent much of the race towards the rear before making rapid progress down the back straight, reaching third position with around 500 metres remaining.
Continuing to advance around the outside, she drew alongside the leaders coming off the final turn and took command with 200 metres to race. Iniesta Sport maintained her advantage to the line, holding off Gabin Sellois to record her second victory of the year.
- Iniesta Sport — Ms. Cherise Farrugia
- Gabin Sellois — Paul Galea
- Histrio — Redent Magro
- Filou Star — Edward Ciantar
Silver Championship Heats Complete
The seven Mapfre Silver Championship heats produced seven different winning horses: Fast, Irish Parker, Hunicois, Harry Chaleonnais, Kamila des Monts, Indiana Buroise and Iniesta Sport.
Cherise Farrugia was the only driver to record two victories during the championship programme, steering Kamila des Monts to her ninth success of the year before completing her double aboard Iniesta Sport in the final race.
The evening also proved memorable for Irish Parker, Hunicois and Harry Chaleonnais , who all won on their first appearances in Malta.