 |
|
| Staff Writer |
 |
As the 2024 The H.H. The Amir Sword Festival approaches, Wathnan Racing emerges as a compelling force, with defending champion Abbes headlining their challenge in the US$2.5 million feature race. Led by a dedicated leadership team including Racing Manager Ali Al Kubaisi, the operation enters the prestigious meeting carrying impressive momentum from their domestic campaign, including multiple big-race successes and a record-breaking five winners on Qatar Derby day. Their preparation and strategy for this festival offer insights into how a relatively new racing entity has rapidly risen to prominence in both local and international racing spheres.
Rising from the heritage of Qatar's esteemed racing traditions, Wathnan Racing has rapidly transformed into a global powerhouse through collaborative leadership and strategic vision. Established in October 2022, the operation marked its international arrival with Courage Mon Ami's historic triumph in the 2023 Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, the first Group One success for the distinctive old gold and peacock blue silks in Britain. This breakthrough year was followed in 2024 with Subsanador claiming the first running of the $1m Gr.1 California Crown at Santa Anita and Kind Of Blue securing the Gr.1 US$708,000 British Champions Sprint at Ascot.
Yet Wathnan has not just excelled on foreign soil — their dominance in Qatar saw them crowned Champion Owner in their debut 2022-23 season, a title they retained in 2023-24 and, following multiple big-race successes in 2024-25, are on course to win again. In an exclusive interview with Ten Furlongs, Al Kubaisi discusses Wathnan's meteoric rise, their preparation for the upcoming The H.H. The Amir Sword Festival , and what lies even further ahead.
With Abbes preparing to defend his The H.H. The Amir Sword Festival title and Supercooled targeting the H.H. The Amir Trophy, how confident are you about your chances in these flagship races? And how do you work with principal trainer Alban De Mieulle to plan and prepare for these major campaign targets?
The H.H. The Amir Sword Festival is the main focus of Abbes's season. Of course, he's eight now, so he can be forgiven for not being quite the horse he was when he won this race as a 6YO. Supercooled's Qatar Derby win was extremely impressive. He was a good horse in France last year and can be expected to have improved with age. Even so, winning the $2.5m H.H. The Amir Trophy will be a tall order against the expected international competition. We are also bringing over some of our European horses for the meeting, including King's Gambit in the Trophy. The wonderful thing is how high the standard of racing in Qatar has become. It's not easy to win here, which is exactly as it should be! And this meeting is very much the main focus of our winter season.
Wathnan Racing enjoyed multiple successes on HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani Rifle Day, including Abbes's third consecutive trophy win. What does this momentum mean heading into the The H.H. The Amir Sword Festival ? And with RB Mary Lylah remaining unbeaten in Qatar, how do you see her campaign developing through the season?
We've had several spectacular race days in Qatar this winter — four winners on National Day, three on Oaks Day, five on Derby Day (which is a record for Wathnan Racing), and then four on HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani Rifle Day. This makes it sound easy, but I assure you it isn't! Racing in Qatar is very competitive, but we have been lucky this year and come out on the winning side plenty of times. Abbes's third consecutive win in the big Arabian race on Rifle Day was a great thrill, especially the way he did it, getting up in the very last stride. If, in the years to come, our American import RB Mary Lylah can give Wathnan as much pleasure as Abbes has, we will be very fortunate.
You've achieved remarkable success since Wathnan Racing's establishment in October 2022 with its distinctive old gold and peacock blue silks. What early decisions laid the foundation for such rapid growth? And how do you balance maintaining strong domestic success in Qatar while expanding internationally as Racing Manager of global operations?
Wathnan Racing got off to a flying start in the 2022-2023 Qatar season, greatly aided by the continuing success of the Alban de Mieulle stable. The ambition to have runners at Royal Ascot that summer gave us the impetus to establish an international racing team, and racing all around the world in many of the best races has been a special pleasure for all of us at Wathnan. We hope to continue to succeed in Europe and America while not losing our focus on Qatar and racing in the wider Middle East. The calendar is a great help to us in allowing us to concentrate on different parts of the world at different times. Even so, it wouldn't be possible without a talented and committed team.
 |  |
Your journey in horse racing began at Al Shaqab in 2011, and you've mentioned being inspired by champions like Frankel, American Pharoah, and Tabarak. How did those early years shape your understanding of both Thoroughbred and Arabian racing operations? And how have these influential horses shaped your vision for Wathnan Racing?
I was introduced to horseracing in 2011 through my previous role within the leading global equestrian organisation, the Al Shaqab Qatar Foundation, which is renowned for its excellence in equine education, breeding, welfare, and research. Through Al Shaqab, I began attending race meetings in Doha, where I quickly became fascinated by the spirit and excitement of competition. Following the likes of Frankel, American Pharoah, and the Purebred Arabian Tabarak impacted me greatly in my formative years in the sport.
After achieving Group One success internationally with horses like Courage Mon Ami, Subsanador, and Kind Of Blue, what are your primary targets for 2025? How do you plan to develop Wathnan's presence further as a significant force in key international racing markets?
It's very much one day at a time at Wathnan, hoping to be able to compete in the big international race meetings, but very much treating each horse individually. If we listen carefully enough, the horses will tell us where to run! That said, part of the pleasure of horseracing is dreaming about the future, and it would be wonderful if British Champions Sprint winner Kind Of Blue could take us back to Ascot in June. He could be a very special horse, but he has to be to win there! There are several young, unexposed types to look forward to, as well. Map Of Stars in France is a personal favourite and I hope I will have many more tales to tell about Wathnan Racing this time next year!
With the 2024 The H.H. The Amir Sword Festival approaching, Al Kubaisi's vision for Wathnan Racing continues to evolve. Wathnan Racing’s Thoroughbred division keeps strengthening, as evidenced by its recent purchase of King’s Gambit to run in the $2.5m H.H. The Amir Trophy, while the operation's commitment to both breeds is further emphasised by the sourcing of star Purebred Arabian RB Mary Lylah from Texas. With horses in training in Qatar, France, the UK and the US, and a growing roster of internationally proven performers, Wathnan Racing's trajectory suggests Al Kubaisi's ambition of competing at the highest level worldwide is being realised at remarkable speed. As they prepare for their third full season of international competition, the operation's blend of domestic dominance and global achievements is setting a new benchmark for racing excellence in the Middle East.