Archie Brookes

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.

As the international horse racing calendar pivots toward the Arabian Peninsula, the seventh renewal of the Saudi Cup at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh stands as the definitive intersection of financial ambition and athletic excellence. Scheduled for Saturday, 14th February, the $20 million centrepiece is the anchor of a weekend offering over $39.6 million in total purses, drawing the elite of the global equine population to the high-stakes sands of Riyadh.

As the international racing calendar reaches its first major crescendo of 2026, the eyes of the bloodstock world turn to Riyadh. The $2.5 million Group 2 Red Sea Turf Handicap, staged over 3,000 metres at the King Abdulaziz Racecourse, has evolved into much more than a staying test; it is now the definitive mid-winter battleground for the world’s elite long-distance thoroughbreds.