The Peninsula
Doha: A whopping $1.37m prize money will be on offer at Qatar International Derby Festival at the iconic Al Rayyan Racecourse later this month.
The 19th and 20th week of racing of the 2021-20 calendar will see a total of 18 races spread over two days with Qatar Derby (QA Gr10) the feature event on December 20, 2022.
Qatar Derby, a 2000 marathon on turf, will only feature three-year-old entries with the winner taking home a staggering $285,000 in a race with an overall prize bag of $500,000.
The second-placed rider will go home $110,000 richer with the third-placed jockey receiving $55,000, according to details posted on the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) website.
Last year, the $500,000 race was won by Pedro Cara, trained by Mauricio Delcher Sanchez and ridden by Tony Piccone.
Qatar Derby (Gr2 PA), to be run minutes before the feature race on Sunday, will offer $85,500 to the winner of the 2000m race.
The turf race for 4-year-olds will offer $33,000 to the second-best rider and $16,500 to the third-fastest entry.
Last year, the race was won by Shalaa, who was trained by Thomas Fourcy and ridden by Julien Auge.
Riders contesting for Qatar Derby (Gr3 PA) honours will cover a distance of 1600m with the winner taking home $57,000. The second and third best entries will get richer by $22,000 and $11,000 respectively.
Last year, the race was won by Jabalah, trained by Alban Elie Marie De Mieulle and ridden by Soufiane Saadi.
A day earlier, a field of 16 riders will aim for Qatar Oaks title (F, QA Gr 3). The feature race - for 3-year-olds fillies - will be run over 2000m with winner receiving $57,000. The second and third-placed entries will get $22,000 and $11,000.
The same day, Al Rayyan Stakes - for 2-year-old colts and geldings - will offer $100,000 as overall prize money. The winner of the 1400m race will get $57,000 with the second and third-placed entries getting $22,000 and $11,000.
Last year, the Al Rayyan Stakes was won by Maystar, trained by Archie Watson, and ridden by Hollie Doyle.
Following the 2020 Qatar International Derby Festival, the next big horse racing event will be the Amir’s Sword Festival scheduled for late February.