An aerial view of Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club’s (QREC) racing track in Doha, where the new horse racing season will get under way today.

DOHA: Just a few days after the success of Qatar Equestrian Festival in Paris, Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) is set to kick start its local racing season today.

Millions of equine enthusiasts the world over had witnessed Qatar Equestrian Festival in Paris in the first week of October. And now is the time for the Doha spectators to be enthralled by local horses, thanks to the continued efforts of QREC.

The 2009-2010 race schedule consists of 38 meetings. The opening day will feature seven races with the main event being the Club Cup. There are 13 runners in the fray for the Club Cup, which carries prize money of QR80,000.

The season will get under way with the Local Bred Pure Arabian Handicap race, which is open only to Qatari jockeys.

The final race meeting is slated for May 6, 2010 with the End of Season Cup contest.

“QREC has witnessed incredible expansion and growth over the recent years with an overwhelming response and support of the Qatari leaders, H H the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and H H the Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani,” QREC’s Vice Chairman, Sheikh Mohammed bin Faleh Al Thani said.

“The Club has marked its status in the local and international frame by hosting races in Hamburg — Germany, Lingfield Park Racecourse in the UK, in Paris, the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and race in Stockholm. An awe-inspiring outlook from Europe has encouraged QREC to host such events periodically,” Sheikh Mohammed added.

Every new season has a lot to offer and this is no different. A look at the previous records at the QREC track shows the emergence of some of the best Pure Bred Arabian horses from Qatar’s stables. Umm Qarn Farms’ General gave ample testimony to the world by winning the Qatar Arabian World Cup in Paris this month. One can expect more from this fine colt.

As always, there are many prestigious races to be won this season too. The most sought after event in Qatar’s racing calendar, H H The Emir Sword race will take place on March 26. H H The Emir Sword race is the richest local race with prize money of QR2m. The other highlight will be H H The Heir Apparent Sword race on January 28.

The Qatar International Horse Festival will be a two-day affair in February with the all-women jockey Fegentri World Championship race and GCC bred Pure Arabian Gulf Cup competition.

QREC General Manager Sami Jassim Al Boenain said that the new season would be exciting.

“We are ready for the start of the new season. As every year this time too we are expecting top quality action. The races will be exciting and I am sure the spectators will enjoy,” Sami Jassim Al Boenain said.

Today’s Schedule:

1st race: L/B P/A Handicap (Open to Qatari jockeys only) Rated 0-50 QR30,000 1,200 metres (4.30 pm)

2nd race: P/A Maiden Plate (Three-year-old to six-year-old only) QR30,000 1,200 metres (5.00 pm)

3rd race: Thoroughbred Plate (Three-year-olds only) QR30,000 1,400 metres (5.30 pm) 4th race: Thoroughbred Stakes (Four-year-olds and over) QR30,000 1,600 metres (6.00 pm)

5th race: Three-year-old P/A Stakes QR30,000 1,200 metres (6.30 pm)

6th race: L/TB Handicap (Three-year-old and over, rated 20-90) QR30,000 1,200 metres (7.00 pm)

7th race: Club Cup Handicap (Open to all P/A rated 20 and above) QR80,000 1,400 metres (7.30 pm)