DOHA: Al Emadi Enterprises — one of the leading real estate developers in the country — will sponsor the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere race at the horse racing gala in Paris next month, it was confirmed yesterday.
Mohammed Al Emadi, CEO, Al Emadi Enterprises, signed the sponsorship agreement with Sheikh Mohammed bin Faleh Al Thani, Chairman, Racing and Equestrian Club (REC), in Doha yesterday.
The Group I race, which is for two-year colts and fillies only, will be held on October 5 at Longchamp Racecourse, the venue for the Euro 5m Qatar Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe.
Al Emadi Enterprise is the official sponsor of the Euro 350,000 race. The four-day event draws more than a billion TV viewers annually.
H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani’s Olympic Glory captured the title of the 2012 edition of the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere, which was also sponsored by Al Emadi Enterprises.
“We are thrilled to have Al Emadi Enterprises as the main sponsor of Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere race,” Sheikh Mohammed said at the club premises yesterday.
“This is not the first time for Al Emadi to associate themselves with horse racing. They have supported our races many times in the past as well,” Sheikh Mohammed added.
Around 230 horses from France and around the world will be competing at Longchamp Racecourse from October 2 to 5 in Paris.
A total of 17 races, including 8 Group I races will feature at the race weekend in Paris where more than 60,000 fans will cram into Longchamp Racecourse on the final day.
Sponsored by Al Emadi Enterprises, the 2014 edition of Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere is expected to be an event to remember. The Euro 350,000 race run over 1,400 metres will see high-class fillies and colts, many of them belonging to Qatari owners.
“First, I want to thank Sheikh Mohammed for allowing us to partner this event. We are into our fourth year. Our agreement is for five years. There’s still one more year to go. We saw in Paris how Qatar dominates in Paris. When we see the flag of Qatar going up, we feel proud to be associated with this event,” El Emadi said.
“For us, as a company, to see Sheikh Joaan’s horse winning was a special moment. Though Sheikh Joaan’s horse did not win our-sponsored race last year but his horse did manage to win the biggest race of the weekend,” Al Emadi recalled.
“For us, it was a Qatari win. I was more than happy to see that happen. That was something special. At the end of the day, I want to see a Qatari owner or horse win the race,” he added.
When asked about an extension of the deal with the Racing and Equestrian Club, Al Emadi said: “First of all, our contract is for five years. We would like to continue. We hope to continue until 2022. REC will be organising the race until 2022 and we hope we can be with them.”
He added: “This will add to our brand. The benefit we get as a company can’t be expressed.”
Al Emadi Enterprises CEO said: “Al Emadi Enterprises has a special interest in sport events hosted by Qatar both in the country and overseas. The Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend is a big event on the French sports calendar. It is an event that is watched by millions of people around the world. For us, it makes perfect sense to associate ourselves with an event that is supported by Qatar.”
The REC was established in 1975. Located in New Rayyan, Doha, it has the mission of developing thoroughbred and purebred Arabian horse racing events, organising Arabian horse shows, encouraging horse owners and breeders and promoting equestrian disciplines being integral part of Qatar’s heritage.
With its state-of-the art facilities, REC is one of the most enviable horse training centres in the world. The ongoing projects include a world-class horse breeding farm that, when completed, will be one of the world’s finest breeding farms and studs. Racing events take place every Wednesday and Thursday from October to May with around 60 race meetings staged every season. THE PENINSULA
