Hamad bin Abdulrahman al-Attiyah (centre) with (l-r) – Jean-Christophe Giletta, Lord March, Genny Haynes and Adam Waterworth at the launch of the Qatar Arabian Triple Crown.
Sports Reporter/Doha
A major new race series for Purebred Arabians has been announced by the Qatar International Equestrian Committee yesterday, The Qatar Arabian Triple Crown.
The Qatar Arabian Triple Crown will feature a bonus of USD $1 million for the winner of three of the world’s most prestigious Arabian races, beginning with the inaugural running of the GBP 400,000 Qatar Harwood International Stakes on Saturday, 1 August, the concluding day of the Qatar Goodwood Festival.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the finale of the HH The Emir 24th International Equestrian Sword Festival, the President of Qatar Equestrian Federation Hamad bin Abdulrahman al-Attiyah said, “The Qatar Arabian Triple Crown represents a major development in the global promotion of Arabian Racing linking three major festivals and strengthening our alliance with European racing.
“We are delighted that our new partnership with Goodwood provides us with the opportunity to launch the series at one of the world’s most beautiful racecourses and one of international racing’s most highly regarded race meetings.”
Qatar Equestrian Federation and Goodwood Racecourse recently announced British racing’s most valuable commercial partnership.
Goodwood Racecourse Chairman, Lord March said, “Goodwood has a long held reputation for combining heritage and innovation and we are looking forward to welcoming some of the world’s highest rated Arabians to race on the Sussex Downs.
“We are very excited about our partnership with Qatar Equestrian Federation and we are delighted to be staging Britain’s most valuable race of its kind.”
Longchamp provides the second leg of the Qatar Triple Crown where the Euros 1 million Qatar Arabian World Cup has quickly become an established feature of Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Weekend in early October, with the HH The Emir’s Sword, Qatar’s most valuable race worth QR 3 million providing the finale in February, 2016.
France Galop Deputy Managing Director, Jean-Christophe Giletta, said, “We are delighted to be a part of this announcement. We have been working with Qatar to promote Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend since 2008 and I am very pleased that we have been able to enhance our long-term partnership in this way.
“The Qatar Arabian World Cup is a very special race and even more prestigious now that is forms part of the Qatar Arabian Triple Crown.”
Genny Haynes, Director of the Arabian Racing Organisation, the sole Arabian Racing Authority in the UK said, “It is extremely exciting to have a race of this stature forming part of the UK Arabian Racing Calendar.
“Qatar are major supporters of Arabian racing in the UK and have been particularly supportive of initiatives to encourage smaller owners and breeders and we look forward to playing our part in the promotion of this major new race series.”
Trainer Julian Smart who has won the HH The Emir’s Sword three times in the past five years and is a three-time winner of the Qatar Arabian World Cup said, “It will take a very special horse to win the Qatar Arabian Triple Crown, but the challenge is there now.
“It’s very exciting to have another race of this value and importance in Europe and the positioning of the Qatar Harwood International Stakes should ensure that it is very well supported.”
