22 June 2017, UK ~ A high class list of entries was released by the Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) for the Qatar International Stakes (Gr1PA), the first leg of the Doha Triple Crown, to be run as part of the Qatar Goodwood Festival on 2 August. Entries include several classy-four-year-olds – Ebraz, winner of this years’ HH Emir’s Sword (Gr1 PA), and Nafees and Ahzar, first and second in the Qatar Derby des Pur-Sang Arabe at Chantilly last Sunday, (June 18). Also among the entries are multiple Group winners Al Mouwaffak, Muraaqib and Tayf, as well as Prada T, a Group 1 winning mare and twice been placed in this event.
22 June 2017, UK ~ A high class list of entries was released by the Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) for the Qatar International Stakes (Gr1PA), the first leg of the Doha Triple Crown, to be run as part of the Qatar Goodwood Festival on 2 August. Entries include several classy-four-year-olds – Ebraz, winner of this years’ HH Emir’s Sword (Gr1 PA), and Nafees and Ahzar, first and second in the Qatar Derby des Pur-Sang Arabe at Chantilly last Sunday, (June 18). Also among the entries are multiple Group winners Al Mouwaffak, Muraaqib and Tayf, as well as Prada T, a Group 1 winning mare and twice been placed in this event.Initiated two years ago, the Doha Triple Crown’s second and third stages are the Qatar Arabian World Cup (Gr1PA), run at Chantilly in October, and the HH Emir’s Sword (Gr1PA) to be run in Doha in February 2018. This series links together three of the most prestigious international events and also carries a $1,000,000 bonus to any horse who can win all three stages.
The overall prize fund for the Qatar International Stakes is £400,000. ($506,713.96), and with £200,000 to the winner, the one mile contest has attracted 17 entries, with a supplementary stage closing at noon on 25 July. Declarations are on 31 July for the race to be run on Wednesday, 2 August.
Gemma Cobb, ARO Racing Operations Executive said: “The quality of entries has exceeded expectations and includes some exciting young horses just starting to make their mark on the international scene, as well as established champions.”
Cobb continued. “It is an honour for ARO to stage the first leg of such a high-profile initiative for international Arabian racing. The addition of this race at such a prestigious event in the UK racing calendar is a huge boost to the profile of the sport, both domestically and worldwide.”
~ ARO supplied report