The Peninsula
Doha, Qatar - The formation of a new school for future riders and expansion of the Al Rayyan Racecourse were among several key decisions which were taken during the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) Board of Directors’ meeting, which took place yesterday.
QREC Chairman Issa bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi chaired the meeting, the first of such meetings following the decision of Minister of Culture and Sports, H E Salah bin Ghanem Al Ali, to form the QREC Board of Directors for a term of four years.
The Board Members, including new Member, Ahmad bin Mohammed Alabdulmalik, as well as Nasser bin Sherida Al Kaabi, QREC CEO, were present at the occasion.
During the meeting, several matters related to QREC were discussed and some important decisions were made in favour of the Qatar’s equestrian Sport and its progress.
Such decisions included a package of projects to develop the QREC’s infrastructure and to achieve the Club’s vision of promoting Qatar as a world hub for horse racing.
Following the meeting, Al Mohannadi said: “We would like to thank Minister of Culture and Sports, H E Salah bin Ghanem Al Ali for supporting QREC and his commitment to provide stability, which ensures realising the planned objectives in the coming years. The first meeting saw the launch of a package of projects aimed to develop the infrastructure at QREC in favour of the Qatar’s equestrian Sport, especially as such projects will be self-financed by QREC and also funded through sponsorships by a number of the country’s organisations collaborating with QREC.
“This package of projects includes the expansion of the QREC Al Rayyan Racecourse to match the scope and standing of horseracing in Qatar at present,” the QREC Chairman said.
“This step will deliver an excellent result for owners, trainers and jockeys and will maximise the racecourse’s capacity and, consequently, bring about a significant move in the international and the local race meetings run every season,” Al Mohannadi said.
“It has also been decided to build a riding school at QREC and provide the necessary related support. It is considered as one of the most important projects at QREC as it is intended for future riders in order to produce new riders who can take over in future. The new school project is built on previous related steps made by QREC in terms of organising rides for young riders (pony rides), the latest of which was held during the H H The Amir Sword Festival. This type of rides will help produce a base of young and new riders over the time,” Al Mohannadi said.
“It has also been decided to complete the development of the quarantine in line with the international requirements and to concurrently operate the Vet Clinic. In addition, new stables will be built to meet the needs of QREC and all participants and to provide the best environment for horses, which will, in turn, enhance their performance. It was further agreed, during the meeting, to establish the Qatar National Stud with a view to supporting Qatari jockeys in riding on a larger scale in local race meetings and also providing them with the opportunity to ride overseas with the Stud’s horses.
“This will increase the base of riders as well as their chances of riding. In fact, QREC is committed to providing Qatari riders with training opportunities such as the training camp, which was organised for them in South Africa. In addition, the Stud’s activities will include breeding by the QREC’s excellent stallions,” Al Mohannadi said.
The Minister of Culture and Sports, has issued a decision forming the QREC Board of Directors recently. It consists of the QREC Chairman, Vice-Chairman Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al Attiyah and the Members Khalid bin Mohammed Al Ali, Khalifa bin Mohammed Al Attiyah, Ahmad bin Mohammed Alabdulmalik and Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Kuwari.