Powerscourt
At the Start
http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/arti...49&parent_id=29
Qatar will sponsor the prestigious Prix de larc de Triomphe race for a period of five years (2008-12), it was announced yesterday.
Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) and France Galop signed an agreement to this effect in Doha at a ceremony attended by QREC vice-president Sheikh Mohammed bin Faleh a-Thani, International Federation of Horse racing Authorities chairman Louis Romanet, France Galop general manager Emanuelle Bour and QREC general manager Sami Jassim al-Boenain.
It will be the worlds richest race on turf with the prize money doubled from the previous 2mn euros to 4mn euros.
“This partnership with QREC is important for France Galop as the prize money will increase from two million euros to four million for this year Prix de lArc de Triomphe and the four following years,†Bour told reporters.
This is highest since the Arc was created, thus making it the richest race on turf in the world. This twofold increase of in prize money is a major milestone for racing and the racing industry in the world, added Bour.
Over many years, the Arc was had been recognised as the best quality race worldwide, with the highest rating, but because of its prize money, it was ranked behind other important international races with inferior ratings.
“Thanks to this partnership, the Arc has found its true place among the most prestigious international races. In addition, this partnership is also an opportunity to shed special light on Arabian racing as our contract provides that four races open to Arabian horses will be staged during this week.
“The 350,000 euro Qatar Arabian World Cup will be held on the Arc Sunday. This race will be the richest Arabian race in the world,†Bour added.
“This partnership provides us an opportunity to associate the most prestigious race in the world with Qatar, which is the most dynamic country in the Gulf for sport competitions,†said al-Boenain.
“Qatar is making a determined bid to establish itself on the world stage, having already announced plans for implementing an ambitious programme for Thoroughbred racing.
“After having reached an agreement to sponsor the Arc in December, this is the real contract that was signed today. We had to get everything in order that would suit both Qatar and France and we are happy with the way it has worked,†added al-Boenain.
Apart the agreement with France Galop, the QREC also inked a contract with the Arabian Racing Organisation of the United Kingdom. This contract enables Qatar to sponsor a full day’s racing at Lingfield in August.
Earlier Qatar had sponsored a single race in Newbury. “Earlier we had held only one race in the day’s race card but we were not satisfied with that.
“So this year we have a new contract which allows us to hold a complete day’s racing on August 27 in Lingfiled. This will be followed by the races in France in September and October,†al-Boenain.
Qatar will sponsor the prestigious Prix de larc de Triomphe race for a period of five years (2008-12), it was announced yesterday.
Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) and France Galop signed an agreement to this effect in Doha at a ceremony attended by QREC vice-president Sheikh Mohammed bin Faleh a-Thani, International Federation of Horse racing Authorities chairman Louis Romanet, France Galop general manager Emanuelle Bour and QREC general manager Sami Jassim al-Boenain.
It will be the worlds richest race on turf with the prize money doubled from the previous 2mn euros to 4mn euros.
“This partnership with QREC is important for France Galop as the prize money will increase from two million euros to four million for this year Prix de lArc de Triomphe and the four following years,†Bour told reporters.
This is highest since the Arc was created, thus making it the richest race on turf in the world. This twofold increase of in prize money is a major milestone for racing and the racing industry in the world, added Bour.
Over many years, the Arc was had been recognised as the best quality race worldwide, with the highest rating, but because of its prize money, it was ranked behind other important international races with inferior ratings.
“Thanks to this partnership, the Arc has found its true place among the most prestigious international races. In addition, this partnership is also an opportunity to shed special light on Arabian racing as our contract provides that four races open to Arabian horses will be staged during this week.
“The 350,000 euro Qatar Arabian World Cup will be held on the Arc Sunday. This race will be the richest Arabian race in the world,†Bour added.
“This partnership provides us an opportunity to associate the most prestigious race in the world with Qatar, which is the most dynamic country in the Gulf for sport competitions,†said al-Boenain.
“Qatar is making a determined bid to establish itself on the world stage, having already announced plans for implementing an ambitious programme for Thoroughbred racing.
“After having reached an agreement to sponsor the Arc in December, this is the real contract that was signed today. We had to get everything in order that would suit both Qatar and France and we are happy with the way it has worked,†added al-Boenain.
Apart the agreement with France Galop, the QREC also inked a contract with the Arabian Racing Organisation of the United Kingdom. This contract enables Qatar to sponsor a full day’s racing at Lingfield in August.
Earlier Qatar had sponsored a single race in Newbury. “Earlier we had held only one race in the day’s race card but we were not satisfied with that.
“So this year we have a new contract which allows us to hold a complete day’s racing on August 27 in Lingfiled. This will be followed by the races in France in September and October,†al-Boenain.
