News From BELGIUM

The Arabian Horse Racing Club of Belgium

"The International Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club Cup" and "The Doha Cup"

Dear Race-enthusiasts, Please find enclosed the conditions for both races for Arab Horses, to be run during QATAR DAY on 21st of July 2002 on the Ostend Wellington Racetrack ( Belgium). The already "traditionnal" Group III - race for 4 years old and older , over 1800 m : "The International Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club Cup", received from our generous Qatari sponsors an increased purse. In view of the very international participation in this race in 2001, it is our aim to make this Qatar race in Belgium to a kind of "finals" of all the races sponsered by Qatar in the different European countries (mostly national races). We therefor are happy to be able to offer a travel fund to the winners of the last-year Qatar race in the far-away countries that will participate ( see race-conditions). Even if not covering the totality of the traveling expenses , we hope it will help to convince last-year winners to come and represent their country in this International Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club Cup. Apart from the main race, Qater Day also stages a longer race ( 2.900 m) for 4-year old and older Arabians to pay tribute to the stayers potential of the Arab Horse. Dreaming of realising a "Stayers-Challenge" consisting of longer races spread over Europe during the whole season, so as to justify the training over these stayers-distances , I hope this race will attrack horses from all over Europe, just to prove that there is an interest in longer races !! If you stand behind this idea, please enter your horse for the "DOHA CUP"!! Thanking yet in advance H.E. Sheikh Abdul Aziz Bin Khaled Bin Hamad Al Thani, Chairman of the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club for his generous support of the Arab Horse Racing in Belgium, we are looking forward to tight competition between a lot of fast and beautifull Arab Horses during Qatar Day !! Nelly Philippot

- , Posted on 21 July 2002