Doha, Qatar: The Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC), chaired Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al-Attiyah, has announced its domestic racing programme for the 2026-2027 season.
A comprehensive 70-fixture schedule will run across the Al Rayyan and Al Uqda racecourses, featuring major support from local owners, trainers and jockeys. The published programme sets out prize money allocations, cup races and race conditions across all divisions.
The new campaign gets underway at Al Rayyan on Wednesday with the Al Ghariyah Cup meeting - a traditional season-opener in recent years - followed the next day by the Al Hamla Cup meeting. Opening day action takes place on the dirt track, with day two staged on the turf. The season will draw to a close on 15 April with the End of Season Cup, also at Al Rayyan.
Al Uqda enters the fray for the 11th fixture of the campaign on November 14 with the Al Noof Cup day. Racing will initially run on Wednesdays and Thursdays, with Saturday fixtures added to the weekly schedule once action begins at Al Uqda
International Group 1 upgrade for H H The Amir Trophy
The prestigious H H The Amir Sword Festival will take place at Al Rayyan from February 10 to 13, 2027, marking the second consecutive year the showpiece fixture is staged across four days. The opening two days will be held on the dirt track before action moves to the turf for the final two days.
Headline news for the upcoming edition comes with the implementation of the decision by the International Grading and Race Planning Advisory Committee (IRPAC) of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) to promote the H H The Amir Trophy from international Group 2 to international Group 1 status.
The premier contest stands as the flagship Thoroughbred race of the festival and on the Qatari racing calendar each season, reflecting the ongoing growth of the prestigious event.
The new campaign gets underway at Al Rayyan with the Al Ghariyah Cup meeting.
The upcoming festival will also feature upgrades in status for several other races.
The Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cup has been promoted to Group 3 level from Listed status while both the Dukhan Sprint Cup and the Al Rayyan Mile have been elevated to Listed status.
Season’s flagship features
The Group 1 H H The Amir Trophy for Thoroughbreds and the Group 1 PA H H The Amir Sword for Purebred Arabians - the third and final leg of the Doha Triple Crown - will take centre stage on the closing day as the fourth and fifth contests on a nine-race card. Each carries a purse of $2.5m, marking the richest prizes on the QREC calendar.
For the second consecutive season, new races feature on the festival programme. The final day includes the Qatar International Thoroughbred Handicap Cup (90-110), open to international runners. Day two adds two contests: the Local Purebred Arabian Middle Distance Cup (Handicap rated 85-105 over 1,700m) and the Thoroughbred Dirt Sprint Cup (Handicap rated 85-105 over 1,200m).
For the second consecutive season, several recent additions remain on the festival programme. The final day retains the Qatar International Thoroughbred Handicap Cup (90-110), open to international runners. Day two again features two contests introduced last term: the Middle Distance Cup for Local Purebred Arabians (handicap rated 85-105 over 1,700m) and the Sand Sprint Cup for Thoroughbreds (handicap 80-105 over 1,200m).
Key fixtures on programme
Beyond the H H The Amir Sword Festival, the newly published programme features several key fixtures throughout the season, including The Late Sheikh Jassim Bin Mohammed Bin Thani Trophy, the Qatar Derby, the Qatar Oaks, the Guineas and Barzan Cup Day, the H H Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al-Thani Trophy, the H E Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani Rifle, the H H Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa Al Thani Trophy and the Qatar Gold Sword and Trophy.
Focus on Qatari jockeys
The unveiling of the new programme comes on the heels of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend, bringing QREC’s international sponsorship campaign to a close. Attention now turns to Al Rayyan and Al Uqda for the domestic season where keen competition is expected as owners and trainers assemble top-quality strings.
Action will feature elite international jockeys alongside Qatari riders, who remain a central focus for QREC management through ongoing support and development aimed at preparing them to compete at the highest level.
