Doha, January 12 (QNA) - The horse race for HE President of Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani's Rifle and prizes will kick off Saturday at the Al Rayyan Racecourse, organized by the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club.

The race is a prominent event in the current local season's racing program, as participants are keen to achieve advanced results, especially with the approach of the HH The Amir Sword Festival, scheduled to be held Feb. 11-14, which will be organized for the first time over four days.

The race program includes 10 races, with the first race being for purebred Arabian horses (local production) over a distance of 1,750 meters, and the second race being for purebred mixed-breed horses (local production) over the same distance.

The third race will be held for the HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani ​​Prize for Thoroughbreds over a distance of 1,200 meters, while the fourth race will be held for His Excellency’s Prize for Thoroughbreds aged three years only over a distance of 1,400 meters.

The fifth race is held for His Excellency’s Prize for Thoroughbreds (local production) over a distance of 1,750 meters, the sixth race is held for His Excellency’s Prize for Thoroughbred over a distance of 1,400 meters, while the seventh race is held for HE's Prize for Purebred Arabians over a distance of 1,750 meters.

The HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani Prize for the eighth race will be for four-year-old Purebred Arabians over a distance of over 1,750 meters. The ninth prize, which is an international event, will also target Purebred Arabians: Grade 1 - Category 3, over 2,200 meters.

The day's events will conclude with the 10th and final race for Thoroughbred horses: Grade 1 - over 2,200 meters. Winning it qualifies one to participate in the Shalfa race within HH the Amir Sword Festival. (QNA)