TAR Summer 2026

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• THE Summer 2026ARABIAN RACE HORSE on
• 'STRENGTH'Bronze - Edition 3 of 9 at Art & Horse Racing Gallery - Newmarket DEBORAH BURT
• Page 33 THE ARABIAN
• Page 4Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the former Emir of Qatar known widely as the "Father Emir", passed away on the morning of 12 July 2026 at the age of 74. He was laid to rest at the Lusail Cemetery, North of Doha, after the daily evening prayer and a simple ceremony at the Imam Muhammad ibn Abd al- Wahhab Mosque in the capital. A four-day period of national mourning was observed. Born on 1 January 1952 in Doha, Sheikh Hamad was the primary architect of modern Qatar, transforming the small Gulf nation from a financially struggling state into an ultra-wealthy, globally influential energy powerhouse and diplomatic mediator. He graduated from the United Kingdom's Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst in 1971, holding several senior posts including chief of staff and Minister of Defence in the Qatar Armed Forces. Appointed Heir Apparent of Qatar in 1977, with the support of his family he took control of the country on 27 June 1995 after staging a bloodless palace coup whilst
• Page 5Ultimately his legacy will be defined by the boom in the economy, media innovation, global investments, independent foreign policy and the use of soft power within the field of global sport. In 1996, he founded the Al Jazeera Media Network, radically altering the media and political landscape across the Middle East. By developing Qatar's immense North Field natural gas reserves, by 2010 Qatar became the world's largest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and the richest nation per capita. Sheikh Hamad carved out a unique diplomatic path, positioning Qatar as a key regional mediator. Maintaining close security ties with the United States whilst simultaneously holding open communication lines with groups like Hamas and nations like Iran; he will be notably remembered as a staunch ally to the Palestinian people by becoming the first Arab leader to visit the blockaded Gaza Strip in 2012 to launch major reconstruction projects. Also under his guidance,
• Al Shaqab Equestrian CentreFor the Arabian horse, Sheikh Hamad's legacy was his foresight and passion that led him to establish Al Shaqab in 1992, venerating the courageous war horses ridden by victorious Qatari knights of the past and ensuring that the heritage of equestrianism in Qatar would never be forgotten. Honouring his ancestor Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani [ruler of Qatar 1878-1898, 1905-1913] he established the stud on the site of the Battle of Al Shaqab [also known as the Battle of Al Wajbah] where in March 1893, Bedouin and Qatari forces led by Sheikh Jassim, routed the Ottoman troops which led to Qatar's eventual independence from the Ottoman Empire. In 1907, there were 250 horses recorded for every 1,430 camels in this sparsely populated region. As one of the world's leading breeding centre's Al Shaqab has already produced seven world champion Arabian stallions that have left their mark across the globe. In 2004, Al Shaqab became a member of the Qatar Foundation Based on three guiding principles - Excellence, Education and Heritage - in 2006 Al Shaqab began a visionary
• Al Shaqab Racing and Wathnan RacingThe silks of Sheikh Hamad's sons, initially Sheikh Joaan and latterly Sheikh Tamim, the Emir, are now a familiar sight on racecourses worldwide through their Al Shaqab and Wathnan Racing operations. Unlike their cousins' Qatar Racing (formerly Pearl Bloodstock), they have interests in both Arabians and Thoroughbreds and have raced both at the very highest level - Al Shaqab Racing came to prominence in 2013 with the Arc winner Treve and then Arabian World Cup winner Al Mourtajez [pictured right], and have owned many top horses since, including the Doha Triple Crown winner and Al Mourtajez son, Al Ghadeer. Wathnan Racing are somewhat newer to the scene, with Sheikh Tamim's involvement only becoming official after Courage Mon Ami's win in the Ascot Gold Cup in 2023 at the Royal meeting. Wathnan Racing had taken over Qatar's Umm Qarn stable owned by Sheikh Tamim's uncle and special advisor
• Page 88 Qatar & Horseracing - A Global Timeline of Success
• EPIO SERIE FACE SAL9 Qatar's Commitment to Arabian Racing Worlwide
• Page 10Most progress to further Group 1PA glory. Since 2012, eight Al Rayyan Cup - Prix Kesberoy winners, the first top level contest for three-year-olds, have gone on to gain additional success at the highest grade. They include Muraaqib, seven Gr1PA wins (sire), Lady Princess, nine Gr1PA wins (broodmare) and Al Ghadeer, 11 Gr1PA wins (sire). Also in that list is Hadi De Carrere who was the first overseas trained and owned horse to win the Obaiya Arabian Classic, the Saudi Cup's most valuable Arabian race. All four have also gone on to win either the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Poulains, or Pouliches (as have Marid and Laffan), whilst Lady Princess also won the Juments in her four-year-old season. In the UK, Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club had been supporting Arabian racing at grass-roots level during a similar timescale, including at one time the sponsorship of whole cards of Arabian races. In 2013, they sponsored the Group 1PA Harwood International Stakes at Doncaster, and again in 2014. That year they also sponsored the UK Arabian Derby at Newmarket.
• Page 1111 GOODWOOD
• Page 1212 Qatar International Stakes (Group IPA)
• AR visitQATAR W13 Wathnan Racing's Lippo De Carrere and Mureb are both trained by 2017 winning trainer Alban De Mieulle in Qatar, and currently in France for their summer campaign. Lippo De Carrere broke his maiden over this trip but impressed the world when denying Al Ghadeer a swansong victory in the HH The Amir Sword in February over 12 furlongs, with HM Alchahine finishing third. At this stage he could well be the 'heir apparent' to Al Ghadeer's throne, as having won the UAE President Cup - UK Arabian Derby last year, he is proven at the top level over 10 furlongs. However he finished second to Lacaro Du Croate, with RB Kingmaker third in May, at that distance, so has a little bit to prove, giving weight away to that mare again. Mureb acted as pacemaker in ParisLongchamp on that occasion, and would be expected to fulfil a similar role, ridden by leading Qatari jockey, Faleh Bughenaim.
• Qatar International StakesGroup 1PA 1m ~ £850,000 prize fund
• Page 15Arabian Racing Did You Know? more visitQATAR ALGHADEER
• AF FARMSVICTORY FROM THE DESERT AF FARMS