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The upcoming Amir Sword Festival, hosted by Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club, is set to make history as three Japanese horses will be participating in the event for the very first time. This festival recognized as one of the world's top horse racing meetings, will take place for three days from 15th February to 17th February.
The Longines Outdoor Area in Al Shaqab will be the Amir's Sword for Showjumping and Dressage Championship venue.
Just ahead of the festival’s commencement, QREC Chairman Issa bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi expressed his anticipation, saying, “We look forward to the H H The Amir Sword Festival as the pinnacle of the QREC racing calendar, placing Qatar in the spotlight on the global sports scene.”
Al Mohannadi emphasised the commitment to the world-class organization.
“We apply standards, which give us confidence in the success of the Festival, especially with many top-quality international runners arriving for the Festival’s international races,” he said.
The Amir Sword Festival has witnessed a significant rise in international participation, which can be attributed to the festival's continuous development, strict technical standards, and the top-notch facilities at the Al Rayyan Racecourse. These factors have made the festival one of the most sought-after horse racing events in the world.
Recently, a delegation from Japanese animal resources authorities visited Qatar to assess the facilities. The chairman of the festival, Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah Al Thani, revealed that the delegation was highly impressed with the state-of-the-art facilities at the Al Rayyan Racecourse. This visit resulted in three Japanese horses participating in the festival for the very first time in its history.
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“We should also keep in mind that the horses coming from various countries Japan, UK, France, Ireland and Hong Kong are here because of the standing of The Amir Sword Festival, which has become one of the most important horse racing meetings in the world,” he said.
According to Al Mohannadi, the Qatari culture played a significant role in the unveiling of the festival's new identity. The new identity draws inspiration from the country's rich heritage, which is represented by the traditional male headwear, known as "al ghutra."
“The new identity highlights a symbolic meaning through its association with the ‘Al Sabiq’ traditional championship held during major race meetings at QREC,” he said, adding the Al Sabiq Championship is viewed “as the origin of horse racing in Qatar, during which riders wear ‘al ghutra,’ and the moment a rider raises his ghutra implies that he is fully prepared to start.”
Al Ain hosts a packed nine-race lineup this Thursday, headlined by a thrilling 1000m Conditions event worth AED 85,000.
A competitive field of 15 contenders will vie for victory in the feature race, with the 105-rated RB Money Maker seeking to assert dominance in this slightly calmer setting after a mixed track record since his successful local debut under conditioner Hamad Al Marar.
Champion jockey Tadgh O’Shea takes the reins aboard the talented 5YO, presenting a significant class advantage against his 14 competitors.
Among the challengers is JAP Hadad, boasting three wins and ten podium finishes in 24 starts, including a recent triumph over 1200m at Abu Dhabi. Despite the sharp 1000m course possibly testing him, the 8YO shows no signs of slowing down, with trainer Irfan Ellahi at the helm.
Also in contention is AF Yabarhin, known for securing Emirati handler Maitha Alsuwaidi's maiden training victory. While recent races have posed challenges, the 7YO excels at Al Ain's track, making him a formidable opponent under jockey Sam Hitchcott.
In another highlight race, the win-restricted 1800m event for 5YOs and older promises a competitive showdown.
Zajer Al Wathba, trained by Jean-Claude Pecout and ridden by Tadgh O’Shea, emerges as a top contender following a strong fourth-place finish in early January.
Asiak, despite previous disappointments, shows promise after a close second at Abu Dhabi, although uncertainties linger regarding his performance on dirt tracks.
Shareek and Al Jaish, third and fourth behind AA Lahab respectively, add further depth to the field, ensuring a thrilling race day for spectators.
Trainer Jabel Bittar's yard, riding a wave of success, presents formidable contenders in both divisions of the 0-75 rated 2000m handicap races, with Zammam and the pair of Untethered and Grattis poised to challenge in their respective heats.
The race card also includes two divisions of the 1000m 0-75 rated handicap and a maiden and 0-80 rated handicap over 1400m, offering a diverse array of competitive events for all-Purebred Arabian enthusiasts at Al Ain.