The Katara International Arabian Horse Festival — Title Show made a fantastic start yesterday in the presence of a number of dignitaries at Katara Cultural Village yesterday.
Present at the launch of the show, which is being held under the patronage of His Highness The Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, were His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani, Qatar Olympic Committee President HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, HE Sheikh Thani bin Hamad al-Thani and HE Sheikh Al Qaqa bin Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, besides other dignitaries and officials.
The Organizing Committee of Katara International Arabian Horse Festival, chaired by Katara General Manager Prof. Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti, have ensured that the event is being held under strict precautionary measures in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
With a total prize money of QR13mn, the show, which will conclude with the championship round on Saturday, is of the highest quality with contenders from as many as 12 countries participating over the course of four days. The Title Show is being conducted and organised by Katara, together with Qatar Equestrian Federation, and Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC).
Yesterday, as many as 88 Arabian horses participated in the eight classes for yearling and two-year-old fillies and colts.
Top three from the qualifying classes across yearling, junior and senior categories will reach the championship round for the respective categories.
Two fillies and a colt owned by Al Shaqab — Member of Qatar Foundation topped their respective qualifying classes. While Rafeef Al Shaqab topped class 1B for yearling fillies with 91.33 points, Falak Al Shaqab won class 2B for two-year-old fillies with 91.50 points.
Joining Rafeef Al Shaqab in the medal round from 1B on Saturday will be two Al Nasser Stud-bred fillies — Sheikh Nawaf bin Nasser al-Thani’s (Al Nasser Stud) Tibrah Al Nasser and Al Jazeel Stud’s Shadia Alnasser.

 


Qatar Olympic Committee President HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani (right) and HE Sheikh Thani bin Hamad al-Thani attend the day one of the Katara International Arabian Horse Festival – Title Show yesterday.

 

Falak Al Shaqab finished ahead of second-placed Ghaliah Al Kheesa (90.75) of Ghanim Mubarak Nasser Zamel al-Kuwari and third-placed Rose Kas (90.42) of Al Reeh Stud.
In Class 5B for two-year-old colts, Hader Al Shaqab amassed 92.08 points to beat Saa’id Al Shaqab (91.42) for the class win. Al Rayyan Farm’s Afas Al Rayyan finished third.
Guy Jamar’s Muranas Nader topped the other class for two-year-old colts with 92.58 points, while Sheikh Jassim Khalifa al-Thani’s Wadee Aljassimya and Al Sraiya Stud’s Gazwan Al Sraiya rounded out the top three with 91.75 and 91.33 points respectively.
Al Thumama Stud’s Jalyla AT was the first qualifying class winner of the show yesterday when the bay filly topped class 1A for yearling fillies with 91.25 points. Al Shahaniya Stud’s Namah Al Shahania (90.83) and Ebrahim Yusuf al-Romaihi’s Maaly (90.33) are the other fillies from the class who will line up in the championship round on Saturday.
Class 2A for two-year-old fillies was won by Al Hazm Stud’s Celine AH Stud in one of the closest qualifying classes yesterday. The class topper had 91.75 points, while second-placed Jazi Alashwa of Ghanim Mohamed al-Khayareen and third-placed Asia Al Jassim of Al Jassim Stud were second and third with 91.42 and 91.33 points respectively.
Al Nasser Stud’s Areeb Al Nasser (91.25) bagged the class 4A for yearling colts ahead of two Al Shaqab colts — Ghaith Al Shaqab (90.50) and Harqan Al Shaqab (90.25). From the second class for yearling colts, Kaheel Stud’s AG Nobel Rafee made it to the championship round with 91 points in the kitty. Zubayr Al Shaqab finished second with 90 points, while Al Hazza Stud’s Baghdad Alhazza was third with 89.75 points.
The Title Show will continue today with competition in seven qualifying classes, including three-year-old fillies, four-six-year-old mares, three-year-old colts and four-six-year-old stallions.