The Qatar Arabian World Cup was first run in 2008 and is the Purebred Arabian equivalent of the Thoroughbred Arc de Triomphe race at Parislongchamp on 6 October 2019. The use of World Cup in the title is very appropriate as it has attracted runners from all over the world.
The top races for the breed take place on the European stage from the spring to the autumn, before the focus changes to the Gulf States during the winter. For Qatar backed racing, two stables have dominated for the last ten years. Readily identifiable are the blue with white stars silks of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani, and the dark red and white spotted colors of his brother Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani. The 2017 winner of this race, Sheikh Mohammed’s Gazwan, will not compete this year and has now been retired to stud. Ebraz, (silks of blue with white stars) and Tayf (silks of dark red with white spots) will pick up their rivalry, as Ebraz won over Tayf in their last meeting at the 2019 Qatar International Stakes at Goodwood.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani also has enter Yazeed, and Marid. A son of the high-class PA race mare Al Dahma, Yazeed came second to Gazwan in the 2017 edition of The Qatar Arabian World Cup. Tayf boasts a win in the 2017 Qatar International Stakes, plus a second in the same race this year, whereas the younger Marid hails from the French yard of Antoine de Watrigant.
Ebraz, Yazeed and Tayf spent the winter in Qatar before heading off to France at the end of the spring. France has forged the reputation as the nursery of the breed, as the owners have set up their breeding operations there.
International it is, and it was a Polish horse, Fazza Al Khalediah, that won the 2019 edition of this race.
Qatar Arabian World Cup 6 October Entries:
The Qatar Arabian World Cup is the race directly before the Arc De Triomphe race.
photo: Pamela Burton
3rd race off at 15:25 Paris time
2,000 metres Prize Money 1 Million € (€500,000, 200,000, 150,000 100,000, 50,000)
Horse, S/A Owner, Trainer
1. Rodess Du Loup M/5, Khalifa Bin Hamad Bin Khalifa, Ch Gourdain
2. Khataab, M/7, Al Shaqab Racing, T. Fourcy
3. Ebraz GB M/6, HH Sh Mo Bin Khalifa Al Thani, J. Smart
4. Tayf, M/7, Sh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani, A De Mieulle
5. Yazeed, M/6, Sh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani, A De Mieulle
6. Mashhur Al Khalediah, M/5, Athba Racing KSA, P. Collington
7. Salam Al Khalediah M/6, Polska AKF Sp, M Kacprzyk
8. Ahzar, M/6, Jean-Marc De Watrigant, D. Watrigant
9. Marid, M/4, Sh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani, A. Watrigant
10. Deryan, M/4, Yas Horse Racing Mgmt, D. Guillemin
11. General Lady, F/5, RMP Sp Zoo, M Janikowski
Million Dollar Features
Common to the trends that we have come to expect in the English thoroughbred world, the number of races with seven-figure prizes are increasing. The Qatar Arabian World Cup (Gr1 PA) carries a purse of a $1 Million euros, whereas, The H.H The Emir’s Sword (Gr1 PA) carries prize money worth $1 Million (US Dollars), as does The Dubai Kahayla Classic (Gr1 PA) on the March Dubai World Cup card. The November Abu Dhabi feature, The Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown (Gr1 PA), is worth the equivalent of 1,25 Million euros. The organizers of the new Saudi Cup race day also have announced an international dirt race for PA horses over 10 furlongs which will carry a purse of $1.9 Millon and will be open to PA horses aged four and above.
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