The 52nd Al Rayyan Race Meeting – Al Jumayliyah Cup will illuminate Al Rayyan on 18th February 2026, delivering a seven-race programme at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) that blends Purebred Arabian tradition with Thoroughbred quality. The headline act will be the AL JUMAYLIYAH CUP – THOROUGHBRED CONFINED PLATE (Class 2), staged over 1700 metres with Qr 120,000 in prize money.
The Al Jumayliyah Cup will not merely be another race on the card; it will be the emotional crescendo of the night. Over 1700 metres, seasoned campaigners will look to stamp their authority, while ambitious contenders will attempt to seize a defining moment. With Qr 120,000 at stake, every stride in the straight will matter, and the tension in the grandstand will be palpable as the field charges toward the winning post.
The evening will begin at 20:30 with Race 1, the PUREBRED ARABIAN PREMIUM MAIDEN PLATE (Class 6) over 1700 metres, offering total prize money of Qr 85,000. For emerging Purebred Arabians, this will represent a first real opportunity to break through. Young horses will carry not just saddlecloths but the hopes of patient owners and proud breeders eager to see potential transformed into performance.
At 21:00, speed will come sharply into focus in Race 2, the LOCAL PUREBRED ARABIAN HANDICAP 0–65 (Class 6) over a sharp 1200 metres for Qr 50,000. This sprint will test early pace and tactical precision, with riders knowing that hesitation could cost them dearly over the shorter trip.
Race 3 at 21:35 will spotlight home-grown talent in the THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP 0–75 (Class 5) – Qatari Riders Race over 1900 metres. With Qr 55,000 on offer, this contest will place the focus squarely on Qatari riders, whose tactical judgement and composure will be tested in a race likely to build steadily before quickening in the final stages.
The programme will continue at 22:10 with Race 4, the LOCAL THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP 0–65 (Class 4) over 1700 metres for Qr 60,000. Competitive handicappers will seek to exploit favourable marks, and the balance between patience and aggression will prove decisive.
Fillies and mares will take centre stage in Race 5 at 22:40, the LOCAL PUREBRED ARABIAN FILLIES AND MARES HANDICAP 70–90 (Class 3) over 1900 metres. With Qr 70,000 in prize money, this race will blend elegance and endurance, as proven performers aim to assert class while rising contenders attempt to upset the hierarchy.
Stamina will be pushed to its limits in Race 6 at 23:15, the THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP 70–90 (Class 3) over a demanding 2500 metres, also worth Qr 70,000. Over this extended trip, patience will be paramount, and riders will need to judge the tempo perfectly before unleashing their mounts in the final drive.
Then, as the clock approaches midnight, all eyes will turn to the Al Jumayliyah Cup. The atmosphere will thicken, conversations will hush, and the thunder of hooves will echo across the track. Victory in the feature will not only secure Qr 120,000 but will also provide a statement of intent in Qatar’s competitive Thoroughbred ranks.
The 18th February 2026 meeting at the QREC will promise an evening rich in narrative — from hopeful maidens taking their first steps to established runners chasing glory under the lights. When the final race is run and the cheers fade into the Doha night, the memories of courage, speed and ambition will linger long after the dust has settled.
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