17 December 2017

HE Issa bin Mohammed Al-Mohannadi, Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) Chairman hailed the excellent contests of the Late Sheikh Jassim Bin Mohammed Al Thani CUP & Trophy Day (Qatar National Day Cup & Trophy). “This race meeting is one of the most important races as it celebrates and documents an important date for us”, said Al-Mohannadi after having presented the trophies to the winners, “and coincides with the celebrations of Qatar National Day. It is named after the Late Sheikh Jassim Bin Mohammed Al Thani, the founder of our country, who cherished horses in his poems.

Horses are a part of Qatar’s heritage, customs and traditions, and so we celebrate at same time in December every year.” 

Al-Mohannadi thanked HE Salah bin Ghanem Al-Ali, Minister of Culture and Sports, for his Excellency’s keenness to be present at the significant event.

“It was very special”, said Al-Mohannadi speaking about the race meeting, “There was a surprise in the penultimate race, which was followed by another surprise in the finale of the day. The excellent tactics of trainers were obvious and Umm Qarn emerged successful eventually.”

The QREC Chairman thanked the team who undertook the coordination and made all arrangements and preparations in order produce the day in such an excellent way.

“Things are progressing very well”, he said speaking about racing this season, “I think the technical changes that have taken place have had a significant impact on improving the standard of racing. All the participations have been outstanding. I expect the upcoming Derby to see surprises. I can see a good development and diversity in winners, which have been the outcome of changes made in the relevant rules. At present, there are high-level Qatari trainers as well as promising Qatari jockeys after the training camp organised for them in South Africa last summer.”