In a year full of challenges, the Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) was delighted that Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) had confirmed that the Qatar International Stakes would go ahead as part of the Qatar Goodwood Festival 2020. The festival itself began yesterday and will conclude on Saturday.
The most valuable race of their calendar, the one-mile contest for Purebred Arabians, will be held on Saturday in front of a crowd of invited racegoers.
At the top of the 12-strong entry list received for the Group 1 PA race is His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani’s Ebraz, returning, like 2017 winner His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani’s Tayf, for a fourth consecutive year. 
The £200,000 event is the first leg of the Doha Triple Crown, the Qatar Arabian World Cup at ParisLongchamp on Arc weekend the second leg and His Highness The Amir Sword, highlight of Qatar’s annual February Festival, concluding the challenge.
In February this year, on the back of his 2019 wins at Goodwood and ParisLongchamp, Ebraz won a record-breaking third His Highness The Amir Sword, and in doing so claimed the Doha Triple Crown. His place in Arabian racing history is more than deserved.
Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) CEO Nasser bin Sherida al-Kaabi said: “Supporting and Promoting Arabian racing at this difficult time is an achievement which QREC has been able to realise through coordination with ARO and the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and we do appreciate their co-operation. 
“This year’s edition will be exceptional as it comes during the Covid-19 pandemic and the related new challenges. Therefore, racing at the Qatar Goodwood Festival will remain special as ever”.
ARO Finance and Commercial Director Genny Haynes is looking forward to the race saying: “We are most grateful for the continued support by Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club and Goodwood racecourse of UK Arabian racing at this most testing time. Though our season has been pushed back in the calendar due to the current circumstances, we are all delighted to have the opportunity to showcase our sport with a top-level race in front of a crowd eager for live racing.”