Horses owned by HE Sheikh Jassim bin Khalifa al-Thani topped three qualifying classes, while Al Shaqab – Member of Qatar Foundation-owned contenders won two on second day of the Katara International Arabian Horse Festival (KIAHF) – Title Show yesterday.
With a total prize money of QR13mn, the show, which will conclude with the championship round tomorrow, 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).
HE Sheikh Hamad bin Ali al-Thani, Manager of Breeding and Show, Al Shaqab, expressed appreciation for the support given by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani for the Festival. Sheikh Hamad also applauded Prof. Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti, Katara General Manager and KIAHF Organising Committee Chairman, his team, and the partnering organisations for the noteworthy preparation that went into the Festival.
Yesterday, as many as 92 Arabian horses participated in the seven classes for fillies, colts, and younger mares and stallions.
Top three from the qualifying classes across yearling, junior and senior categories will reach the championship round for the respective categories.
In class 3A three-year-old fillies, Sheikh Jassim’s Emarella amassed 92.42 points to ensure a spot in the championship round tomorrow. The filly was the junior fillies champion at the 23rd Qatar National Arabian Horse Show last month. HE Sheikha Reem bint Mohamed al-Thani’s Sultanah Al Shahania and Mona Lisa Aljassimya, owned by Sheikh Jassim, rounded out the top three after being awarded 92.17 points each.
The next Sheikh Jassim-owned  contender to top a qualifying class yesterday was Momayz Aljassimya with the grey colt winning class 6 for three-year-old colts with 91.33 points. Al Shaqab’s Radhee Al Shaqab and Fahad Al Shaqab were second and third with 91 and 90.58 points respectively.
Jaal Aljassimya topped class 10B for four-six-year-old stallions with 91.75 points in a close competition, with Aljumail Stud’s Badiea Al Nasser (91.67 points) and Jabor Nasser Sultan al-Towar al-Kuwari’s Sultan Al Rayyan (91.33) second and third. Badiea Al Nasser had won the stallions gold last month. 
Al Wazna Al Shaqab was the first winner for Al Shaqab in class 3B for three-year-old fillies. The bay filly punched her ticket for the championship round with a 92.67 point haul, edging out Al Dana Al Meslemani’s (Al Thumama Stud) Maria Magdalena NWA (92.17) and Al Jumail Stud’s Adwaa Al Arab (91.83) for the win.
Kashef Al Shaqab won class 10A for four-six-year-old stallions after being awarded 92.08 points. Al Reeh Stud’s Amir Al Reeh, colts champion last month in the national show, and Al Jazeel Stud’s Badi Athbah were awarded 91.92 points each, and the former was adjudged the runner-up with better score on type.
Al Shahaniya Stud’s Hamamat Al Shahania scored the highest yesterday in class 7B for four-six-year-old mares at 93.08 points for her place in the medal round. Joining the grey mare tomorrow will be second-placed Luolou Al Nasser, owned by Al Nasser Stud, and Alsafwa Stud’s Aria Dinara with 92.33 and 91.83 points respectively.
Nasser Mohamed al-Hajri’s Najla Aludham bagged class 7A for four-six-year-old mares with 92.25 points, ahead of Al Hamad Stud’s EM Queen Desert (91.83) and Al Adeed Stud’s Fajer Al Adeed (91.08).
The Title Show will continue today with competition in five qualifying classes, including senior mares and stallions.