The Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club (QREC) will step into the international spotlight on Wednesday, February 11, as Day 1 of the 48th H.H. The Amir Sword Festival opens a four-day celebration of elite Thoroughbred and Purebred Arabian racing at Al Rayyan. From 3:00pm to 6:30pm, seven races will unfold, setting the tone for a festival that stands as one of the most prestigious fixtures on the Middle Eastern racing calendar. With deep prize money, strong international connections, and a blend of emerging and proven talent, the opening day is set to underline why the Amir Sword Festival holds such global significance.
While the entire card carries weight, attention will naturally gravitate toward the closing double, where the Thoroughbred Handicap Cup 85–105 and the Purebred Arabian Open Handicap Cup, both valued at USD 30,000, will anchor the afternoon. These two feature races are expected to provide early indicators of form and intent as the festival builds toward its marquee contests later in the week.
Racing will begin at 3:00pm with Race 1, the Thoroughbred Maiden Cup, a Class 6 contest restricted to three-year-olds. Run over 1200 metres, the race will feature a full field of 15 runners competing for USD 15,000. As the opening act of the festival, it is expected to showcase raw talent and future potential, with young Thoroughbreds taking their first meaningful steps on a major stage.
Race 2 at 3:35pm will shift the focus to Purebred Arabians with the Novice Cup, a Class 5 race over 1700 metres. Thirteen runners are set to line up for a prize of USD 18,000, offering a competitive test that blends stamina and progression, and highlighting the depth of Arabian racing that defines the Amir Sword Festival.
The card will return to Thoroughbreds at 4:10pm for Race 3, the Thoroughbred Novice Cup. This Class 5 contest over 1700 metres will draw 16 runners, again with USD 18,000 on offer. With a larger field and developing profiles, the race is likely to be run at a strong tempo and could reveal horses capable of climbing through the festival ranks in future seasons.
Race 4 at 4:45pm will be a Purebred Arabian Handicap Cup 0–70, a Class 5 Qatari Riders Race over 1900 metres. Sixteen runners will compete for USD 15,000, and the race will place emphasis on local riding talent, reinforcing the festival’s role in nurturing domestic excellence alongside international participation.
As the afternoon deepens, Race 5 at 5:20pm will raise the standard with the Thoroughbred Handicap Cup 70–90. This Class 3 sprint over 1200 metres will feature 15 runners chasing a USD 24,000 purse. Speed, positioning, and precision are expected to define the contest as seasoned campaigners test themselves against a competitive handicap framework.
The first of the feature races will arrive at 5:55pm with Race 6, the Thoroughbred Handicap Cup 85–105. A Class 2 event over a demanding 2500 metres, it will see a compact but high-quality field of five runners. Mujtaba will be partnered by Saleh Faraj Al-Otaibi for trainer Hamad Al-Jehani, while One Nation brings international flair under Pierre-Charles Boudot for Ahmed Al Jehani.
Loaded Gun, ridden by Marco Casamento and trained by Gassim AlGhazali, adds depth alongside Hyperchromatic with Jefferson Smith aboard for Mohammed AlGhazali. Completing the field is Sussex, partnered by Damien Morin for trainer M.H.K Al Attiyah. With USD 30,000 on offer, the race is expected to reward stamina, tactical awareness, and composure.
The curtain-raiser to Day 1 will come at 6:30pm with Race 7, the Purebred Arabian Open Handicap Cup. This Class 2 contest over 1900 metres will feature seven runners competing for another USD 30,000 and promises a fitting conclusion to the opening evening. Hadi De Carrere will be ridden by Marco Casamento for trainer Gassim AlGhazali, while Alshanfara teams Youssef Lachhab with trainer Hadi Al Ramzani. Baker De Saularie lines up under Mohammed Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik for Osama Al-Dafea, and Ghanem will carry the colours of Gassim AlGhazali with Tsubasa Sasagawa in the saddle.
M’tawa El Saa’yeb, partnered by Jefferson Smith for Hamad Al-Jehani, joins Mejlad with Salman Fahad Al-Hajri riding for Mohammed Ahmed Al-Hajri, and Salwa, guided by Ivan Rossi for trainer Ahmed Kobeissi. The race brings together elite Arabian bloodlines and seasoned connections, ensuring a strong closing statement.
Qatar Racecards 11 February are expected to balance ceremony with competition, tradition with ambition. As the first chapter of a four-day racing showcase running from February 11 to February 14, it will not only set benchmarks on the track but also establish narratives likely to shape the rest of the festival.
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