‘International exposure to Qatari racing has increased’

Presence in some of the most prestigious race meetings in Europe, attracting top international trainers to Qatar for flagship meets, developing relations with one of America’s biggest racing identities, top class Arabian racing, growing footprint in Thoroughbred racing, growing infrastructure at home, a lot is happening at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC).And all this is making QREC general manager Nasser Sherida al-Kaabi a pleased man.“Qatar Goodwood Festival and Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe are some of the prestigious races around the world. As far as we are concerned, we want both the meetings to be the best they can in terms of atmosphere or experience, whether it is for the viewer, the horses, the riders, the trainers, the owners, everybody in the industry or even outside for that matter. It is something that we Qataris look forward to every year,” al-Kaabi told Gulf Times.Not only have the two meetings from either side of the Channel seen a growth in profile, QREC also has been instrumental in instituting the Doha Triple Crown, a million-dollar bonus for an Arabian horse that wins the £400,000 Qatar International Stakes (Gr1 PA), €1mn Qatar Arabian World Cup (Gr1 PA) at the Arc meeting and $1mn His Highness The Amir’s Sword (Gr1 PA) in Qatar.So far, it’s been a big ask for any horse.“For us, in Qatar, Arabian racing is a major interest. For us to keep it at the same level is very important. The Triple Crown is something special in itself, encouraging trainers to make an effort to find or breed this great Arabian horse that can win all three,” he said.QREC also has an agreement with the Breeders’ Cup, a part of the American Triple Crown, presenting races at each other’s flagship meets — Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club Juvenile Turf Sprint Stakes in the US and Breeders’ Cup Dukhan Sprint in Qatar.“North American racing is an exceptional horse racing industry, and has some of the most famous races like the Kentucky Derby and the Breeders Cup. Also, you can find some amazing horses that have been bred there. For instance, many winners and stallions in the world these days trace themselves back to Northern Dancer (including Al Shaqab Racing’s two-time Arc star Treve),” he said.“So for us not to be associated with them is not the correct approach. Our vision has always been to have good relations with the Americans.“But of course, the racing is different in America; they run on sand, while a lot of our racing happens on turf. But I think American racing does have a big impact on racing across the world.”As far as a more robust presence like in Europe is concerned, al-Kaabi said, “Maybe in the future. For now, our strategy revolves around Goodwood and the Arc, also we have Breeders’ Cup.”At home, QREC has organised yet another successful season with His Highness the Amir’s Sword Racing Festival, Qatar’s flagship racing meeting, Qatar International Derby and other meets attracting top international talent.“I think any administration in the world is looking to go ahead. The international exposure to Qatari racing has been increasing. Even the competition has grown. I think it is healthy for the sport, healthy for Qatar, healthy for everybody involved in the sport here. I am personally proud of this.“We had Tip Two Win here this season. He won (Al Rayyan Stakes winner) and finished runner-up once. I think for us, having horses come here, win and then going back and also winning quality races there is an indication that our races are not any less.”Closer home, the unjust siege has done little to dampen the spirits.“For us, we don’t mix politics with sport. Not going to Dubai (World Cup meeting) has not affected us because we have mostly raced in the Kahayla Classic and we have nothing left to prove there,” he said. Qatar-owned horses have snapped up four out of last nine editions of the Group 1 race.If not by attracting talent and enhancing Qatar’s profile, infrastructure at home has also been a focus. “Our racing has been growing in profile. Our infrastructure is growing. We have a new track in Al Uqda, and there are talks of another proposed track in future somewhere else. For us to grow, we need to be on the right foundation from the start. Al Uqda near Al Khor is expected to be completed by October. Al Rayyan is expected to have major races because it is within the city, while Al Uqda is expected to have racing in other categories. The specifics of the calendar are yet to be ironed out. The facilities there are not any less from Al Rayyan. For us our plan is to grow as much as we can.”