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| Staff Writer |
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Qatar's 2024-25 racing season kicks off at Al Rayyan's sand track next Thursday with the Al Beshariyah Cup Day, marking the beginning of a 69-meeting campaign featuring significant programme adjustments due to ongoing track renovations.
Racing Manager Abdullah Al-Kubaisi has orchestrated a revised schedule splitting fixtures between Al Rayyan and Al Uqda racecourses, with five early-season meetings relocated due to Al Rayyan's turf track refurbishment. The solution sees Thursday cards divided across two days, with cup races featuring on Thursdays and supporting races following on Saturdays.
The highlight of Qatar's racing calendar, the HH The Amir Sword Festival, maintains its position from 13-15 February 2025. The Gr.1 HH The Amir Sword for Purebred Arabians and the QA Gr.1 HH The Amir Trophy for Thoroughbreds crown the final day, continuing their status as Qatar's most valuable races.
Previous winners of the HH The Amir Sword include Mon'nia, who captured the 2023 running before going on to land the Qatar Arabian World Cup at ParisLongchamp, while Ebraz dominated with three consecutive victories from 2020-2022, adding to his Prix de l'Arc weekend success.
The season encompasses 543 races across both venues, with Al Rayyan hosting 47 meetings and Al Uqda staging 22. Normal service at Al Rayyan's turf track is scheduled to resume on December 14 with the Late Sheikh Jassim Bin Mohammed Al Thani Trophy Day.
"We always strive for what is best and most suitable for the value and standing of Qatar's horse racing, which has reached a global level", said Al-Kubaisi. "This is evident in Qatar's sponsorship of some of the most prestigious and significant international race events, as well as the quality of races held in Doha, some of which see extensive international participation, especially during the HH The Amir Sword Festival."
The calendar features other significant fixtures including the Qatar International Derby (December 27), HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani Trophy (January 2), HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani Trophy (March 13), and Qatar Gold Sword (April 10).
The season concludes on May 7, 2025, with the Ain Khaled Cup Day, wrapping up seven months of high-class racing under the sponsorship of the Social & Sport Contribution Fund (DAAM) and Longines.