By the time Saturday evening settles over Al Rayyan, the story of the 51st H.H The Amir Sword Festival will have reached its defining chapter. On February 14 – the final day of Qatar’s most prestigious racing celebration – the Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club will present a nine-race programme from 3:05pm to 7:55pm that blends global excellence with deep-rooted Arabian tradition. At the heart of it all will stand two extraordinary centrepieces worth $2,500,000 each — Race 3, the H.H The Amir Trophy, and Race 4, the H.H The Amir Sword — contests that will not only crown champions but also define legacies.
The H.H The Amir Trophy at 4:15pm will serve as one of the region’s most prestigious Thoroughbred prizes. Run over 2400m as a Class 1 QA-Gr1 international invitation race presented by Longines, it will assemble seven elite runners from Japan and Europe. Japan’s challenge will come through Byzantine Dream under Cristian Demuro for trainer Tomoyasu Sakaguchi, Deep Monster partnered by Tom Marquand for Yasutoshi Ikee, and Satono Glanz guided by Tsubasa Sasagawa for Yasuo Tomomichi.
Europe will counter with serious firepower: Giavellotto representing Ireland with Pierre Charles Boudot riding for Marco Botti; Germany’s Goliath under Christophe Soumillon for Francis-Henri Graffard; Lion’s Pride from Great Britain ridden by Robert Havlin for John and Thady Gosden; and El Cordobes carrying Irish breeding with William Buick aboard for Charlie Appleby from the UAE. Over a demanding mile and a half, tactical patience and proven stamina will separate the world-class from the merely talented.
Half an hour later, at 4:45pm, attention will turn to the spiritual crown of Arabian racing — the H.H The Amir Sword. This Purebred Arabian Class 1 Group 1 international invitation, sponsored by QNB and serving as the third leg of the Doha Triple Crown, will also be run over 2400m for a $2,500,000 purse. The field of seven reads like a roll call of champions. Al Ghadeer, trained in France by Francois Rohaut and ridden by Christophe Soumillon, will aim to assert his authority. HM Alchahine, representing the UAE under Cristian Demuro for Helal and Tahnob Alalawi, will seek to challenge strongly.
Lippo De Carrere will carry the hopes of Alban Elie De Mieulle with Maxime Guyon in the saddle, while Haseef will line up for Damien de Watrigant with Pierre Charles Boudot aboard. Jean de Mieulle will saddle both Shabbab, partnered by Faleh Bughenaim, and Al Zwair under Jean-Bernard Eyquem. Completing the field, Samsa Al Shahania will represent Rudy Andre Nerbonne with Lukas Delozier riding. The Sword is more than a race; it is the ultimate honour in Arabian competition, and Saturday’s renewal will carry both prestige and pressure in equal measure.
The afternoon will begin at 3:05pm with the H.H The Amir Shalfa – Thoroughbred Handicap Cup, a Class 2 restricted race sponsored by Ooredoo. Fifteen runners will tackle 2000m for $400,000, ensuring the finale opens with depth and competitive intensity.
At 3:40pm, the H.H The Amir Silver Sword will continue the momentum. This 4-year-old Purebred Arabian Class 1 restricted race, sponsored by Baladna and open to international runners, has attracted a maximum field of 16 over 2000m for $500,000. It will offer a glimpse into the next generation of Arabian stars poised to rise through the ranks.
Following the two flagship races, the quality will remain relentless. The Qatar International Cup at 5:35pm will feature seven Purebred Arabians in a Class 1 Group 1 international invitation over 1600m, supported by The Social and Sport Contribution Fund. With $500,000 at stake, it will test speed and tactical sharpness.
At 6:10pm, the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cup will bring nine runners together in a QA Group 2 Class 1 international invitation over 1600m, again for $500,000. This contest will further underline the festival’s global reach and strong ties with international breeding powers.
The Al Rayyan Mile Cup at 6:45pm will shine a spotlight on three-year-old Thoroughbreds. Ten runners will compete over 1600m in this QA Group 2 international invitation for $400,000, offering a platform for emerging stars to announce themselves on the grandest stage.
Speed will dominate at 7:20pm in the Dukhan Sprint Cup, where six Thoroughbreds will line up for a QA Group 3 international invitation over 1200m worth $400,000. It promises to be a sharp, high-tempo contest under the evening lights.
The curtain will fall at 7:55pm with the Qatar International Thoroughbred Handicap Cup rated 90–110. Eight runners will face the stamina test of 2400m in this Class 2 event for $100,000, providing a fitting closing act to a day rich in quality and consequence.
As the final strides are taken, the 51st H.H The Amir Sword Festival will conclude not simply as a meeting, but as a statement of Qatar’s standing in global racing. The Qatar racecards 14 February will reflect a day of depth, prestige and $2.5 million showdowns that sit at the summit of the sport.
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