The Al Ghariyah Cup will headline the opening meeting of the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club’s (QREC) 2026-2027 domestic racing season on October 14, marking the start of a 70-fixture campaign across the Al Rayyan and Al Uqda racecourses.
QREC, chaired by Hamad bin Abdulrahman al-Attiyah, has announced a comprehensive programme featuring a series of major cup races, prize money allocations and race conditions across all divisions, with strong support expected from local owners, trainers and jockeys.
The new season will begin at Al Rayyan with the Al Ghariyah Cup meeting, which has become a traditional season-opener in recent years. The Al Hamla Cup meeting will follow on October 15, with the opening day’s action staged on the dirt track before racing switches to the turf for the second day.
Al Uqda will join the schedule for the 11th fixture of the campaign on November 14, when the Al Noof Cup meeting takes place. The programme will initially feature racing on Wednesdays and Thursdays, with Saturday fixtures added to the weekly calendar once meetings begin at Al Uqda.
The season is scheduled to conclude at Al Rayyan on April 15 with the End of Season Cup, bringing the curtain down on a campaign designed to showcase Qatar’s domestic racing talent across both venues.
International Group 1 upgrade for HH The Amir Trophy
The prestigious HH The Amir Sword Festival will take place at Al Rayyan from 10 to 13 February 2027, marking the second consecutive year the showpiece fixture is staged across four days. The opening two days will be held on the dirt track before action moves to the turf for the final two days.
Headline news for the upcoming edition comes with the implementation of the decision by the International Grading and Race Planning Advisory Committee (IRPAC) of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) to promote the HH The Amir Trophy from international Group 2 to international Group 1 status. The premier contest stands as the flagship Thoroughbred race of the festival and on the Qatari racing calendar each season, reflecting the ongoing growth of the prestigious event.
The upcoming festival will also feature upgrades in status for several other races. The Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cup has been promoted to Group 3 level from Listed status while both the Dukhan Sprint Cup and the Al Rayyan Mile have been elevated to Listed status.
Season’s flagship features
The Group 1 HH The Amir Trophy for Thoroughbreds and the Group 1 PA HH The Amir Sword for Purebred Arabians - the third and final leg of the Doha Triple Crown - will take centre stage on the closing day as the fourth and fifth contests on a nine-race card. Each carries a purse of $2.5mn, marking the richest prizes on the QREC calendar.
For the second consecutive season, new races feature on the festival programme. The final day includes the Qatar International Thoroughbred Handicap Cup (90-110), open to international runners. Day two adds two contests: the Local Purebred Arabian Middle Distance Cup (Handicap rated 85-105 over 1,700m) and the Thoroughbred Dirt Sprint Cup (Handicap rated 85-105 over 1,200m).
For the second consecutive season, several recent additions remain on the festival programme. The final day retains the Qatar International Thoroughbred Handicap Cup (90-110), open to international runners. Day two again features two contests introduced last term: the Middle Distance Cup for Local Purebred Arabians (handicap rated 85-105 over 1,700m) and the Sand Sprint Cup for Thoroughbreds (handicap 80-105 over 1,200m).
Key fixtures on programme
Beyond the HH The Amir Sword Festival, the newly published programme features several key fixtures throughout the season, including The Late Sheikh Jassim Bin Mohammed Bin Thani Trophy, the Qatar Derby, the Qatar Oaks, the Guineas and Barzan Cup Day, the HH Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al-Thani Trophy, the HE Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani Rifle, the HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa Al Thani Trophy and the Qatar Gold Sword and Trophy.
Focus on Qatari jockeys
The unveiling of the new programme comes on the heels of the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe weekend, bringing QREC's international sponsorship campaign to a close. Attention now turns to Al Rayyan and Al Uqda for the domestic season where keen competition is expected as owners and trainers assemble top-quality strings. Action will feature elite international jockeys alongside Qatari riders, who remain a central focus for QREC management through ongoing support and development aimed at preparing them to compete at the highest level.
