A general view of the Al Uqda Racing Complex in Al Khor.
Doha: Two venues and more competition weeks compared to last year will be the feature of the new horse racing season that is set to kick off at Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) today.
A total of 49 race weeks - in a season that will stretch across seven months - will see with riders battling for top honours in the Al Ghariya Cup at QREC tomorrow.
The new calendar released by QREC last month shows two additional race weeks besides hosting of events at QREC and Al Uqda Racecourse in Al Khor.
According to details, 12 races from the new season will be held at Al Uqda Racecourse.
The Amir Sword race weekend will be held at QREC from February 18-20, QREC calendar has shown. The overall prize bag for the Amir Sword week is $1m.
The new season will officially start from October 14, 2020 until April 22, 2021, Nasser bin Sherida Al Kaabi, CEO of QREC, has confirmed.
“We have been preparing for a long time for the start of the new season, and with the announcement of the season program, everyone from the owners, to coaches and jockeys - all have started arranging their cards, especially since expectations indicate that the new season will be different from previous years,” Al Kaabi said.
“Despite the current prevailing circumstances, the prize money remains unchanged for the big races. There is an increase in the number of race weeks to 49,” he said.
“The first race at Al Uqda Racecourse will be held on November 25 when we stage the Al Huwaila Cup (on sand),” Al Kaabi said in an interview to an Arabic daily.
“We will hold more races at this venue since the track is equipped with means to make the races successful. Remember equestrian is great pastime for Qatari riders and we have developed our racecourses well,” he added.
“Before the start of the season, the lighting system has been redeveloped at Al Rayyan Racecourse in a modern way that is in line with international standards and also ensuring sustainability, which will contribute to improving the quality of races and help the jockeys getting to perform really well,” Al Kaabi said.
“The new lighting system will also save energy and lessen the electricity consumption, which is in line with the strategy and vision of the club in terms of optimal utilization of facilities and their quality in order to achieve the club’s goals," he said.
“We hope to achieve the desired success in the new season and further advance the races in the interest of the club and the participants in the search for the general interest of Qatari horse racing industry,” Al Kaabi said.
“After the end of the races sponsored by the club, the last of which was the Qatar Cup race, the Qatar Prix de Arc de Triomphe, which concluded last week, the trainers and jockeys are in prime condition for the new season.
“The new season will reach its peak with the Amir Sword week in February. Starting on Feb 18, 2021 and ending on the 20th, the week will hold the richest competitions in the new season. The overall prize money will be $1m and we hope to see a cracking battle for top honours then,” Al Kaabi said.
