Tribune News Network
Doha
The Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) has begun preparations for the new racing season, which will start with major races sponsored by QREC abroad, most notably in France and England.
The QREC management is keen to ensure reaching the desired level, whether in terms of sponsorship or organisation, given the importance of the races and the great successes achieved by QREC in previous years, which increases the QREC management’s responsibility both in the races run overseas and the local races run at the Al Rayyan and Al Uqda racecourses.
As the QREC’s racing season came to an end several weeks ago, the management began the preparations for the next season, which will be full of highly trying races, especially with the increase in prize money. Such increase reflects the great support from state officials and the keenness to provide sufficient means for horse owners, trainers and jockeys in favour of the progress of Qatar’s horse racing to reach the best level in line with such immense support, building on the tangible steps taken in previous seasons and the positive outcome achieved so far.
Preparing for races
overseas: Al Mohannadi
Speaking about the preparations for the new season, HE Issa bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi, QREC Chairman, said: “We have a lot of work to in the coming months, whether in terms of preparing to sponsor several racing events overseas, especially the Qatar Goodwood Festival in England and the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in France, as well as other races abroad, or preparing for the new local season. The final touches are currently being added to the programmes of the new local season at both Al Rayyan and Al Uqda racecourses. The feedback of owners and trainers have been considered in order to reach the optimum level, especially as the large increase in prize money will intensify the competition. We are keen to benefit from the support of state officials for QREC and to consolidate the international standing of Qatar’s horse racing.”
Season’s programme
“Last season, we organised 69 race days”, added Al Mohannadi, “It was first time to stage such number of race meetings, which included 52 races at Al Rayyan and 17 at Al Uqda. Last season also saw a boost in the prize money of the HH The Amir Sword Festival to USD 10 million. It was the first time for the Festival’s prize money to rise this high. However, the prize money of the new season in general will be the highest in QREC’s history. The new season’s programme will be announced soon after having added the final details, including the dates of all race days and the conditions of all races etc.”
Leaders’ list
Speaking about the list of the leading owners, trainers, jockeys and horses HE Issa bin Mohammed said, “The announcement of this list is an annual tradition to officially determine the best. QREC is keen on this matter based on a set of applicable criteria to ensure complete impartiality and fairness in announcing the list, which highlights the best throughout the season whose success has been the result of dedicated efforts by owners, trainers and jockeys.”
The QREC management has recently announced the lists of the leading owners, trainers, jockeys and horses, both according to the prize money and the points they have earned based the criteria set by the handicapper. Both lists are almost similar in indicating the best in the season that ended and they, in the meantime, serve to motivate others for further progress and development in the new season.
Leaders by prize money and merit system: Al Darwish
Bader bin Mohammed Al Darwish, QREC Acting CEO, said: “Congratulations to the leading owners, trainers and jockeys, who excelled in various races and achieved the best results throughout the season according to the list announced by QREC.
The leaders by prize money are also the leaders by the points or merits system in several categories. The leading owner is Wathnan Racing. The leading Qatari non-sheikh owner is Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari. The leading trainer is Alban de Mieulle. The leading Qatari trainer is M.H.K Al Attiyah.
“The leading jockey is Alberto Sanna. The leading Qatari jockey is Faleh Bughanaim. The leading Qatari apprentice jockey is Saleh Salem Al-Marri. The leading Purebred Arabian horse is Abbes (FR), owned by Wathnan Racing. The leading 4-year-old local Purebred Arabian filly is Roma (QA), owned by Noora Racing Limited.
The leading 4-year-old Thoroughbred colt is Bolthole (IRE), owned by Wathnan Racing. The leading 4-year-old local Thoroughbred colt is Harb (QA), owned by Al Rabban Racing.”
Leading horses by prize money
Bader bin Mohammed Al Darwish added: “In the list of the leading horses by prize money, Lady Princess (FR), owned by Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari, is the leading Purebred Arabian mare. Ska De L’Aigle (FR), owned by Abdullah bin Fahad Al Attiyah, is the leading 4-year-old Purebred Arabian colt. No Tear Al Maury (FR), owned by Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari, is the leading 4-year-old Purebred Arabian filly. AJS Saaeq (QA), owned by Al Jeryan Stud, is the leading local Purebred Arabian horse. AJS Berline (QA), owned by Al Jeryan Stud, is the leading local Purebred Arabian mare. Hadlan (QA), owned by Abdullah bin Saeed Abdullah Al Mesnad, is the leading 4-year-old local Purebred Arabian colt.
King Pacha (IRE), owned by Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari, is the leading Thoroughbred horse. Make A Wish (IRE), owned by Injaaz Stud is the leading Thoroughbred mare. Subahiyah (IRE), owned by Al Shaqab Racing, is the leading 4-year-old Thoroughbred filly. Alzahir (FR), owned by Al Wasmiyah Stud, is the leading 3-year-old Thoroughbred colt. Kerindia (IRE), owned by Injaaz Stud, is the leading 3-year-old Thoroughbred filly.
Equinoxe (QA), owned by Wathnan Racing, is the leading local Thoroughbred horse. Al Shomos (QA), owned by Mubarak bin Saeed Aljafai Al Naimi, is the leading local Thoroughbred mare.Achika (QA), owned by Mohammed bin Abdulhadi Saad Al Hajri, is the leading 4-year-old local Thoroughbred filly.”
Leading horses by merit system: Al Kubaisi
Abdulla Al Kubaisi, QREC Racing Manager, spoke aboutthe leading horses by the merit system. He said: “Image Du Croate (FR), owned by HE Sheikha Reem bint Mohamed bin Khalifa Al Thani, is the leading Purebred Arabian mare. AJS Jamran (BE), owned by Al Jeryan Stud, is the leading 4-year-old Purebred Arabian colt.
Felowah (FR), owned by Al Shaqab Racing, is the leading 4-year-old Purebred Arabian filly. AJS Saaeq (QA), owned by Al Jeryan Stud, is the leading local Purebred Arabian horse. Ezzat Nafs (QA), owned by Mrs Sabhea Awad Ibrahim, is the leading local Purebred Arabian mare. Hadlan (QA), owned by Abdullah bin Saeed Abdullah Al Mesnad, is the leading 4-year-old local Purebred Arabian colt. Gold Fleece (GB), owned by Nasser bin Saeed Al Eida, is the leading Thoroughbred mare.
Keel Bay (IRE), owned by Jassim bin Ali Al Attiyah, is the leading 4-year-old Thoroughbred filly. Studio City (IRE), owned by Al Shaqab Racing, is the leading 3-year-old Thoroughbred colt. Kerindia (IRE), owned by Injaaz Stud, is the leading 3-year-old Thoroughbred filly.
Equinoxe (QA), owned by Wathnan Racing, is the leading local Thoroughbred horse. Queen Storm (QA), owned by Wathnan Racing, is the leading local Thoroughbred mare. Torkia (QA), owned by Wathnan Racing, is the leading 4-year-old local Thoroughbred filly.”
Abdulla Al Kubaisi pointed out the mechanism for determining the leading horses. He said: “The Leading Horses are determined by a merit score system where additional merit points for winning Cup or feature races are added to their end of season handicap rating. A Group 1 or local-bred Championship race provides five extra merit points, against one extra merit point for an ordinary Cup race.”
