QREC Chairman Confident In Successful Amir Sword Festival

Issa bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi, the chairman of the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club, has unveiled the terms and conditions for the upcoming H H The Amir Sword Festival's international races. The festival is scheduled to take place from 15-17 February at QREC Al Ryyan turf course. The prize money for these races has been increased to an unprecedented US$10m, which is expected to attract massive and competitive participation.

“As the start of the H H The Amir Sword Festival is approaching and is due to take place within a few weeks, the pace of preparations for the prestigious event is accelerating within QREC in order to ensure the level of success, which is up to the value and prestige of the Festival, which has become one of the main highlights in the horse racing world at this time every year,” said QREC Chairman Issa bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi. 

“In addition, the QREC management makes sure to have all technical and organisational arrangements finalised in an optimal manner, reflecting the standing, which Qatar’s horse racing has reached at the international level. In fact, the increased number of international runners in the Festival every year is a demonstration of the high confidence in the organisational level of the races, which will be staged over three days at Al Rayyan Racecourse.”

“Work is progressing in full swing in preparation for the H H The Amir Sword Festival. The conditions of international participation have been announced. QREC also has many strategic relationships with organisations, who, as our success partners, contribute to the sponsorship of the Festival. The closer the date of the start of the Festival approaches, more details will be revealed both in terms of sponsors and public events, which will be held at QREC on the sidelines of the Festival.” 

The Festival puts a spotlight on the international races, given the prestige of their titles and the high calibre of their runners. These races will take place on the last day of the Festival, which falls on Saturday, 17th February. The schedule for the races is as follows, listed in running order:

• The Gr.2 Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cup is for 4YOs and older, spanning 1600m, with a prize of US$500,000.
• The Gr.1 Qatar International Cup is for Purebred Arabians aged four and above, spanning 1600m, with a prize of US$500,000.
• The Gr.3 Dukhan Sprint is for 3YOs and older Thoroughbreds, spanning 1200m, with a prize of US$400,000.
• The Gr.2 Al Rayyan Mile is for 3YO Thoroughbreds, spanning 1600m, with a prize of US$400,000.
• The H H The Amir Trophy is for 4YOs and older Thoroughbreds, spanning 2400m, with a prize of US$2,500,000.
• The Gr.1 the H H The Amir Sword, is the finale and is for 4YOs and older Purebred Arabians, spanning 2400m, with a prize of US$2,500,000. It is also the third and final leg of the Triple Crown.