Horse racing and equestrian events in Qatar continue to captivate fans, offering a perfect blend of speed, skill and spectacle. Saturday’s H E Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani Rifle Day at Al Rayyan Racecourse was a fitting showcase of this excitement. The ten-race card delivered intense competition, with top riders and trainers vying for honours in one of the country’s premier domestic meetings.
Victory in the Rifle secured qualification for the upcoming H H The Amir Sword Festival, Qatar’s most prestigious racing event, set to take place from February 11 to 14. This year, the highly anticipated Festival will span four days, underscoring its growing international significance.
Meanwhile, the inaugural H H The Father Amir’s Prix at Al Shaqab’s Longines Arena has added another thrilling chapter to Qatar’s equestrian calendar. The first two Tours of the prestigious showjumping event have already concluded, featuring riders from around the globe, including more than 90 Qatari contestants, in high-stakes competitions that test both horse and rider.
The third and penultimate Tour is scheduled for January 22–24, promising more dazzling performances and intense rivalries as the month-long event progresses.
The Doha Equestrian Tour 2026, of which H H The Father Amir’s Prix is the opening fixture, features ten international championships running through April 4, with prize money exceeding €10m. Spectators have been treated to thrilling show-jumping, masterful horsemanship, and moments of true sporting drama, all set against the world-class facilities at Al Shaqab.
These events are spectacles that unite fans, families and international visitors. Each race and show-jumping round highlights the dedication, skill, and precision required at the highest levels of equestrian sport.
For Qatar, hosting these events reinforces its reputation as a hub for world-class sporting entertainment, helping the country shine on the global stage, while also nurturing a growing number of talented young riders.
As the season unfolds, the focus will shift to the final Tours of H H The Father Amir’s Prix and the H H The Amir Sword Festival. Fans can look forward to more breathtaking displays of speed, agility, and strategy, whether on the turf track or in the arena. With every leap and gallop, Qatar continues to prove that its equestrian scene is as thrilling as it is internationally renowned, keeping spectators on the edge of their seats and further boosting the nation’s sporting prestige.
