QREC Announces Prize Increase for 2023-24 Horseraces

Doha, January 18 (QNA) – The Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) has stepped up the amounts of prizes for victorious horse owners, trainers and jockeys in the 2023-24 races, set to be held at the Al Rayyan or Al Oqda racecourse turf tracks, the QREC’s Board of Directors revealed Wednesday.

In a statement, the QREC said this increase sought to elevate horseracing in Qatar, and push the heritage sport to make further achievements, especially in international races, as well as attracting foreign horse owners to participate in the races that are held annually in Qatar.

Chairman of the Board of Directors of the QREC Issa bin Mohammad Al Mohannadi stressed that the large increase will make more high-octane races. This increase came after the approval of elevating the amounts of prizes allocated for the prestigious HH the Amirs Sword Festival 2022-23, which amounted to $US 10 million, more than two-folds of those of the previous editions, Al Mohannadi said, adding that the QREC is going through a very important stage, and they will work to benefit greatly from the volume of support and the desire for continuous development.

Acting CEO of the QREC Bader bin Mohammed Al Darwish said that the increase contributes to raising the level of horseracing in Qatar and the quality of involving horses, in addition to supporting owners and encouraging them to develop the performance of their horses.

For his part, Director of the Racing Department at the QREC, Abdullah Rashid Al Kubaisi said that the planned increase would have a positive impact on the level of participating horses and the desire of owners to own horses qualified to win, and it will also increase the volume of competition among owners and trainers. At the same time, the QREC management, represented by the Racing Department, tried to take advantage of this increase to offer a racing program that contributes to achieving the goals set for this financial increase, which confirms the efforts of officials to raise the level and develop Qatari horseracing to reach its desired position. (QNA)