A Preview of the 2026 H.H. The Amir Trophy
- Archie Brookes
- 4 minutes ago
- 11 min read
By Archie Brookes (@abracing0)
As the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) celebrates its 50th anniversary, the 2026 renewal of the H.H. The Amir Trophy on Saturday, 14th February, stands as the crowning achievement of five decades of evolution. Founded in 1975, the QREC has transitioned from a regional racing authority into a central pillar of the global turf circuit. This year’s event marks a watershed moment: the Trophy has officially been elevated to International Group 2 status, carrying a staggering $2.5 million purse that attracts the highest tier of thoroughbred talent from Japan, Europe, and the UAE.
Scheduled on the same day as the prestigious Saudi Cup meeting in Riyadh, the race serves as a high-stakes alternative for elite stayers during the "Middle East Swing." While some may find the field of seven runners somewhat disappointing in terms of quantity, the compact nature of the line-up is a direct consequence of this scheduling clash. With the Saudi Cup festival drawing a massive portion of the international raiding party, the Amir Trophy has effectively become an exclusive, "best-of-the-best" contest. For the international racing community, this 2,400-metre test provides a lucrative opportunity to capitalise on horses at peak fitness following Northern Hemisphere winter campaigns or the conclusion of the Japanese season, without the overcrowded traffic often seen in Riyadh's undercard races.
The Technical Challenge: Al Rayyan’s "Tight" Circuit
Success at Al Rayyan Racecourse is contingent upon a horse’s ability to navigate a track that is significantly more demanding than the sweeping courses of Europe or North America. Unlike the massive run-ins at Tokyo (525m) or the lush undulations of Ascot, Al Rayyan is a tight 1,800-metre circuit designed with a specific geometric profile that rewards tactical versatility.
For the runners tackling the 2,400-metre trip, the race begins on a chord that joins the main oval, necessitating a quick find of rhythm to avoid being trapped wide on the first turn. The turf itself is a masterpiece of arid-climate engineering: a sand-based surface typically comprised of El-Toro Zoysia and reinforced with Netlon fibres to ensure structural integrity under high speeds. This results in good to firm or firm going as the standard, favouring horses with a "kick" rather than those that grind out a finish. The short 380-400 metre home straight means that the "point of call" happens early; a horse positioned too far back at the final bend will find the Doha straight mathematically impossible to conquer.
Detailed Runner Profiles
Goliath - The European Colossus
Entering with a peak RPR of 127, Goliath is the class act of the field and arrives under the expert guidance of trainer Francis-Henri Graffard. Famously known for his authoritative 25/1 upset victory in the 2024 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot (below), he has since cemented his status as a world-class middle-distance performer. Sired by the late Adlerflug out of the Shamardal mare Gouache, he was bred by the historic Gestüt Schlenderhan and currently races for a high-profile partnership between Baron Philip von Ullmann and John Stewart’s Resolute Bloodstock.
Goliath’s 2025 season was a testament to his global durability, though it was marked by the peaks and troughs of top-tier travel. He secured a major victory in the Group 1 Grosser Preis von Baden in September, defeating Dubai Honour by over a length, and captured the Group 3 La Coupe at ParisLongchamp earlier in the summer. While he struggled in the Breeders' Cup Turf at Del Mar, finishing eleventh, he bounced back with a highly respectable third-place finish in the Longines Hong Kong Vase in December, finishing just over a length behind the winner, Sosie (below). This pattern of rebounding from subpar efforts with elite performances suggests he is a horse that thrives on activity.
Despite a notable physical quirk known as stringhalt, which causes a distinctive spasmodic movement in his hind legs, Goliath remains remarkably consistent, having earned over £1.4 million across varied conditions. He is a massive, long-striding horse whose primary challenge at Al Rayyan will be the tight turns. He requires a genuine gallop to be at his best; a tactical "crawl" could nullify his stamina advantage. However, with the notoriously aggressive Christophe Soumillon in the irons, Goliath is unlikely to be outmanoeuvred; expect him to be positioned within striking distance of the lead to avoid being caught in a tactical trap on the final bend.
Byzantine Dream - The Rising Sun’s Sharpshooter
If there is a horse "made" for the Al Rayyan configuration, it is the chestnut colt Byzantine Dream. Owned by Kazumi Yoshida and trained by Tomoyasu Sakaguchi at Ritto Training Centre, this son of Epiphaneia rose to prominence by winning the Group 3 Kisaragi Sho in early 2024. He has since established himself as a premier international globetrotter, spending more of his career abroad than at home. His 2025 campaign was exceptional, concluding with a commendable fifth-place finish in the Group 1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, where he was the first Japanese horse to cross the line despite the trainer's concerns regarding the heavy ground.
This performance followed a brilliant victory in the Group 2 Prix Foy (above) over the same course and distance in September, where he defeated French star Sosie with a sharp turn of foot. Earlier in the year, he established his credentials as a premier stayer by winning the Group 2 Red Sea Turf Handicap in Riyadh and finishing a narrow second, by just a head, in the Group 1 Tenno Sho (Spring) at Kyoto (below).
Renowned for both his immense stamina and a sharp turn of foot over distances ranging from 2,400 to 3,200 metres, he possesses the specific "clutch" acceleration required to navigate Al Rayyan's tight bends. Given he is still only a four-year-old, there is a strong sense that plenty of unrealised potential remains, suggesting that the 2026 season could well be his definitive international breakthrough.
Currently at the Al Rayyan turf course in Doha, he has been sharpening up with smooth trackwork ahead of Saturday's assignment, which is viewed as a stepping stone towards his primary target: the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan next month. Partnered with Cristian Demuro, who has extensive experience on Japan’s tight right-handed tracks like Nakayama, he is arguably the most dangerous horse in the final 300 metres and will be looking to pick off the leaders with surgical precision.
El Cordobes - The Desert Strategist
Master trainer Charlie Appleby follows the exact blueprint that led to Rebel’s Romance’s back-to-back successes in this race with El Cordobes. A 5-year-old by Frankel, he was a significant yearling purchase at two million guineas, and he has certainly developed into a premier international middle-distance campaigner to justify that price tag, boasting four wins from 12 career starts. After being a relatively late developer, he truly came into his own during a productive 2025 season, highlighted by prestigious victories in the Group 2 Princess of Wales's Stakes at Newmarket and a top-level triumph in the Grade 1 Sword Dancer Stakes at Saratoga (below).
His consistency at the highest level was further evidenced by a solid third in the Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic at Belmont in late September, followed by a prestigious third-place finish in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Turf at Del Mar (below), where he was beaten just two lengths by Ethical Diamond.
Currently holding an official rating of 117, El Cordobes enters the 2026 season as a key figure in Appleby’s international squad. Much like Byzantine Dream, there is a distinct impression that this horse has improved significantly over his last few outings, showing a steeper curve of progression as he matures. His greatest asset remains the "Marmoom Effect." Training out of Godolphin’s Dubai base provides a similar climate and sand-based turf experience to Doha, meaning he arrives with minimal shipping stress for his first competitive appearance of the year. Under the guidance of William Buick, a master of setting fractions in the Middle East, El Cordobes is the most likely candidate to seek the box seat or dictate the lead, ready to strike the moment the field enters the 400-metre straight.
Giavellotto - The Iron-Hearted Specialist
Giavellotto has already competed in six different racing jurisdictions and seems to improve with age and travel for trainer Marco Botti; Saturday's appearance in Qatar will mark his seventh country of competition. He has had 23 career starts, from which he has secured eight victories, three second-place finishes, and six thirds, demonstrating a remarkably consistent strike rate in top-tier international company. His curriculum vitae features a prestigious Group 1 win in the 2024 Hong Kong Vase (below) and back-to-back triumphs in the Group 2 Yorkshire Cup (2023-2024). Great credit must be given to his connections for their sporting decision to keep him in training as a seven-year-old entire horse - a rarity in an era where top-class colts are often retired early to stud.
Renowned for his immense staying power and versatility on different surfaces, Giavellotto has consistently held his own at the highest level. His 2025 campaign was particularly fruitful, highlighted by a high-class fourth in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Much like Byzantine Dream, he ran exceptionally well in the Arc on ground he typically dislikes, eventually finishing just a neck ahead of his Japanese rival. The pair now prepare for a compelling rematch in Doha on a surface far more to their liking. Giavellotto's most recent outing saw him place second in the Hong Kong Vase, where he attempted a valiant defence of his title. Initially campaigned as a 2,800-metre stayer, he has looked significantly more potent since dropping back to 2,400 metres. His form throughout 2025 was remarkably consistent, including a victory in the Group 3 September Stakes at Kempton Park (below), a third-place finish in the Coronation Cup at Epsom, and a fifth in the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan.
A fast ground specialist, the predicted firm turf at Al Rayyan is exactly what he requires to produce his best speed. While he can be a bit "lazy" in the middle part of a race, he possesses a massive engine. The booking of Pierre-Charles Boudot is a significant statement of intent; the Frenchman will likely look to follow the leaders into the straight, relying on Giavellotto’s proven stamina to wear down the opposition in the final 100 metres.
Deep Monster - The Twilight Renaissance
As a son of Deep Impact, Deep Monster carries the legacy of Japan's greatest sire into the twilight of his own career under trainer Yasutoshi Ikee. Over a career spanning 27 starts, he has established himself as a durable and talented campaigner over middle-to-long distances, primarily between 2,000m and 2,400m.
His form throughout the 2025 campaign was highly consistent; prior to his Autumn peak, he secured back-to-back third-place finishes in the Grade 3 Kokura Kinen on 20th July and the Grade 3 Niigata Kinen in August, demonstrating his reliability at the graded level. His career highlight arrived on 5th October 2025, when he claimed his first graded stakes victory in the Grade 2 Kyoto Daishoten, defeating Sunrise Earth over 2,400 metres in a sharp time of 2:23.9 (below). This breakthrough success at the age of seven stands as a profound testament to his durability and toughness, demonstrating that a veteran's heart can still prevail over younger, fresher rivals. Other notable successes include wins in the 2021 Sumire Stakes and the 2023 Andromeda Stakes, alongside a highly competitive fifth in the 2021 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger).
He remains a tactical chameleon, having won from both the front and the rear, though his most recent start in the prestigious Grade 1 Japan Cup in November saw him unable to sustain his challenge in the final stages of a competitive 17-runner field, eventually finishing 11th.
Following a brief Winter spell, the veteran has travelled to Qatar to make his 2026 debut. His suitability for Doha hinges on the famous "Deep Impact kick"; if the pace is slow, he has the raw speed to out-sprint pure stayers. The presence of Tom Marquand in the saddle is a major boost, but the jockey will need to time his run to the second to ensure Deep Monster's veteran legs can produce a sub-34 second final 600m.
Satono Glanz - The Experienced Raider
No horse in the field possesses more track knowledge than the Yasuo Tomomichi-trained Satono Glanz, who returns for his third consecutive attempt at the Amir Trophy. His record includes four wins from fifteen starts, though the son of Satono Diamond has endured a winless streak extending back to his record-breaking Kobe Shimbun Hai victory in 2023. Despite being trained in Japan, he has established himself as a model of consistency in Doha, notably finishing a solid third behind the world-class Rebel's Romance in the 2024 and 2025 (below) renewals.
His 2025 campaign was exceptionally light, consisting of only two competitive appearances. These were highlighted by his second consecutive third-place finish in the H.H. The Amir Trophy, which served as his final outing of that year. While he was frequently partnered with Yuga Kawada in Japan, he enters this renewal following a disappointing seasonal debut on 18th January, where he finished 10th of 13 in the Group 2 Nikkei Shinshun Hai at Kyoto under Thore Hammer-Hansen.
Currently based in Doha for his preparation, he handles the atmosphere of the festival better than any other raider. Seeking to finally convert a podium finish into a win, he is partnered this year with leading NAR rider Tsubasa Sasagawa. This booking may signal a more aggressive tactical shift for the veteran, who is expected to be glued to the rail, saving every inch of ground for a late, tactical dive in the straight.
Lion’s Pride - The Roaring Heir
Lion’s Pride represents the Clarehaven yard of John & Thady Gosden, a stable with a long history of success in the Middle East. From the only crop of the ill-fated champion Roaring Lion, he is an athletic, elegant horse with a clear preference for fast ground. Throughout a career yielding three victories and six further podium finishes from 12 starts, he has established himself as a high-calibre middle-distance performer.
His racing CV is highlighted by significant Listed successes, including a dominant seven-length victory in the 2025 Godolphin Stakes at Newmarket and a win in the 2023 Floodlit Stakes at Kempton Park, where he notably defeated the subsequent Group 1 winner Measured Time. He has also demonstrated high-level consistency in Group company, finishing second to the talented Kalpana in the 2024 September Stakes (below) and placing third in the Magnolia and Gala Stakes.
Having recently transitioned to the international stage with a fifth-place finish in November in the Bahrain International Trophy, the gelding now tackles his major assignment in Doha. Partnered with long-time jockey Robert Havlin, the 2,400-metre distance at Al Rayyan is viewed as his optimum trip. While the Gosden team often uses Doha as a stepping stone to Dubai, Lion’s Pride is expected to be close to peak fitness for this $2.5m prize.
The Pace Map
In a small field of seven, the "pace" is everything. Small fields often lead to a "tactical crawl" followed by a high-speed sprint, a scenario that can produce upset results.
The Lead: El Cordobes is the most likely to take the lead. Buick is a master of setting fractions, and if he can get El Cordobes into a rhythm of roughly 13.5 seconds per furlong for the first mile, he will have plenty of reserve for the straight.
The Stalkers: Satono Glanz and Lion’s Pride will likely sit in second and third. Satono Glanz will be wary of letting Buick get a "free lead," while Lion’s Pride will look to stay on the rail to save ground.
The Predators: Byzantine Dream and Goliath will track the leaders, 3-4 lengths off. Byzantine Dream needs to be "delivered" late, so Cristian Demuro will keep him under cover. Christophe Soumillon on Goliath will likely stay one-off the rail, ready to make a power move at the 600-metre mark.
The Closers: Giavellotto and Deep Monster will likely sit at the rear, relying on a late surge if the front-runners begin to tire on the fast Doha turf.
Verdict: A High-Octane Chess Match
While Goliath possesses the highest raw ability and European prestige, the tight configuration of Al Rayyan plays directly into the hands of the tactical "accelerators." Byzantine Dream represents the perfect profile for this track: a horse that can corner with precision and explode in a short straight. Provided he handles the shipping and firm ground as expected, he remains the pick for what should be his definitive breakthrough season.
However, the quality of this seven-runner field is such that it would not be a genuine surprise to see any of these international raiders cross the line first. One cannot overlook the Appleby-Buick dominance in the Middle East; if El Cordobes is allowed to dictate the terms, his acclimatisation and tactical speed make him incredibly difficult to peg back. Likewise, the proven local record of Satono Glanz and the iron-hearted durability of Giavellotto ensure this remains a wide-open contest.
As the QREC celebrates its Golden Jubilee, this renewal of the Amir Trophy stands as a testament to Qatar's status as a world-class racing hub - a 2,400-metre masterclass where strategy will ultimately triumph over statistics.