Sports Reporter/DohaLongines and Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (REC) entered into a strategic business partnership yesterday. This exclusive partnership was announced at a press conference that was graced by REC chairman Sheikh Mohammed bin Faleh al-Thani, REC general manager Sami Jassim al-Boenain, President of Longines Walter Von K?nel and Vice-President and Head of International Marketing of Longines. Juan-Carlos Capelli. Both entities are extremely notable in the international equestrian world and this alliance will see Longines become the official timekeeper for all equine events that will take place at REC. Sheikh Mohammed, speaking at the press conference, said: “I would like to welcome Longines to Qatar and thank them for lending their constant support to equestrian sports in our country. Longines’ dedication to sports is evident in their predominant role as official timekeepers at numerous top-level sporting events, including many equestrian sports such as horseracing, show jumping and endurance competitions worldwide. Its expertise is laudable”.
“We at Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (REC) are grateful to Longines for coming forward and accepting this partnership with us. I would like to thank Longines for making this long-term partnership possible,” Sheikh Mohammed added.Walter Von K?nel, the President of Longines, commented on this partnership: “This strategic partnership with the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club is a very proud moment for all of us at Longines and we believe this collaboration will be an unforgettable one for the Equestrian world. Becoming the official timekeeper for the forthcoming events at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club, Longines strengthens its commitment to a magnificent sport that exudes elegance, tradition and performance, is celebrated worldwide and is a remarkable icon of Arab culture.”With this new association, Longines strengthens its rich heritage and dedication to sports timing and also hugely impacts the equestrian circuit in the Middle East. Longines has chosen to be involved in equestrian events, because these sports fully express the values of elegance, tradition and performance that are dear to the brand.The Swiss brand is already present all around the world on various racecourses and as partner of prestigious Group I races, notably of the Melbourne Cup Carnival as of 2002, the races at Ascot and Royal Ascot, the Prix de Diane Longines, the Dubai World Cup, the Longines Singapore Gold Cup, the Kentucky Derby, the Grand Prix Longines Lydia Tesio, the Longines Grosser Preis von Baden and the Gran Premio Longines in Mexico.Becoming the official timekeeper for all upcoming equestrian events at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club, Longines will also be the sponsor of the HH The Emir Trophy and the Prix de l’Opéra Longines at Longchamp, Paris, and timekeeper for some of the most majestic and lavish races that take place in Qatar such as the HH The Heir Apparent Race and HH Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani Race.