The 93rd edition of the world’s richest horserace on turf is scheduled to be held at Longchamp racecourse, Paris on October 5
25 September 2014, Doha ~ The Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club (QREC) and Total E&P Qatar hosted a press conference at the Ritz Carlton Doha on 21 September 2014, to make a presentation of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe as the world’s richest race on turf. The 93rd edition of the world’s richest horserace on turf is scheduled to be held at Longchamp racecourse, Paris on October 5.
Total has partnered with QREC for the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe since 2008 and has extended its sponsorship until 2017. Total is also the proud partner of the Qatar Arabian Trophy for Colts, Qatar Arabian Trophy for Mares and the Prix Marcel Boussac as well as HH the Emir Sword Race, which is the top racing event in Qatar.
HE Sheikh Mohammed Bin Faleh Al Thani, QREC Chairman, Guillaume Chalmin, Total E&P Qatar Managing Director and Group Representative, Yousef Al Nesf, Total E&P Qatar Public Relations Manager, Saad Mubarak Al Hajri, QREC Head of Media Section, and Mohammed Salem Al Abdulla, QREC Head of Public Relations were present during the occasion.
HE Sheikh Mohammed Bin Faleh Al Thani started the press conference by hailing the exceptional support received from HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani as well as the directives and efforts of HH Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani and HE Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani. “Such support and directives not only cemented Qatar’s global leadership in Arabian racing, but also promoted and enhanced our thoroughbred racing as demonstrated by winning the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe through Al Shaqab Racing’s Treve last year”, he said.
Guillaume Chalmin, Total E&P Qatar Managing Director and Group Representative said, “Every sport has its showpiece event. Cycling has the Tour de France and football, Rugby and basketball have their respective World Cups. The jewel, in the crown of the horseracing world, is the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. The amazing victory of Treve, the fantastic horse of HE Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe last year, gives the opportunity to live a very entertaining and intense race. We are delighted to have established a longstanding relationship with QREC, an organization that has profoundly raised the profile of horseracing in Qatar and abroad.”
Qatar’s leading trainer Jassim Al Ghazali, who was present at the event, was confident that Qatari owned horses will once again do well in the main events. “Last year we had Al Shaqab Racing’s Treve winning the big race and this year too HE Sheikh Joaan has some more good horses like Ectot and Ruler Of The World in the race. We have a very good chance of winning it again. I wish all Qatari owners all the best and look forward to an exciting contest,” he said.
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