H.H. The Amir Sword Festival most coveted racing event in Qatar

Issa Al Mohannadi: Partnership continues with Daam, Longines and sponsors

548 races at Al Rayyan and Al Uqda concluded on 24 April

The Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) has announced the horse racing programme of the new season, which begins next Wednesday with the Al Ghariya Cup day at Al Rayyan Racecourse. The season will include many race meetings at both Al Rayyan and Al Uqda Racecourses and will continues until the last race day, the End Of Season Cup meeting, on 24 April 2023.

His Excellency Issa Bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi, QREC Chairman said: “The announcement of the official racing season programme came after reaching the optimal form of the programme in line with the nature of the races and the quality of the horses. The programme is aimed to enhance the standard of racing, maintain the continuous progress and ensure that horses reach their top standard throughout the season, especially as some of these horses will face challenges in races outside Qatar as well.”

Daam and Longines

“The Social & Sport Contribution Fund (Daam) will be the supporting partner of QREC in the 2022/23 racing and show season”, added Al Mohannadi, “It is in fact an extended partnership over the years and it has been a very useful form of cooperation in the activities organised by QREC both in Qatar and overseas.

Longines will also continue their role as the official timekeeper of Al Rayyan Racecourse. They have always been with us for many years now in what can by simply summed up as a win-win relationship. The continued presence of Daam and Longines, as well as the others sponsors, will add to the success and progress of our season and racing in general.”

Poshest Festival

Regarding the most important racing events, Al Mohannadi said: “The H.H. The Amir Sword Festival is the season’s most important event. The annual Festival will be held as usual at Al Rayyan Racecourse in February. Over three days, from 16 to 18 February 2023, the Festival will feature a large number of valuable titles and trophies. The final day will see the prestigious Gr1 PA H.H. The Amir Sword Race for Purebred Arabians. 30 minutes earlier, Thoroughbreds will contest for the Gr1 QA H.H. The Amir Trophy presented by Longines. The two iconic events represent the glory that every owner, trainer and jockey aspires to every year. Both races are run over 2,400m and each has US$1,000,000 on offer.”

The racing programmes includes other top-quality race meetings as well. These include the Late Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani Trophy and the National Day Trophy on 16 December. 13 days later, the Qatar International Derby will take place. 5 January will be the date of the H.H. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani Trophy Day and 21 January will be for H.E. Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani Rifle Day. H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani Trophy Day will be will be held on 16 March. The last of the big days in the coming season will be the Qatar Gold Sword and Trophy Day on 6 April.

Race days

The new season racing programme includes 52 race days at Al Rayyan Racecourse and 17 at Al Uqda, making a total of 69 days to be run on both turf and sand over six months and 12 days. Races at Al Uqda will start on 19 November with the Umm Swayya Cup Day and the last race meeting in the season there will be the Local Thoroughbred Trophy Day and will be held on 24 February. The 2022/23 official racing programme sees a rise in the number of races with 548 races compared to 533 last season. This increase accommodated more races for local Purebred Arabians.

Source: Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club