AL SHAQAB, Qatar, is one of the most spectacular equestrian venues in the world. AL SHAQAB joined the glittering line-up of world-class venues making up the Longines Global Champions Tour season in 2011 and since 2013 the facility has been host to the final Grand Prix of the year, providing a fabulous international stage for the crowing of the overall Longines Global Champions Tour Champion. Vision, foresight and a passion to preserve the heritage of the Arabian horse in Qatar led His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani to establish AL SHAQAB in 1992. The architecture was specifically designed to honor the distinguished classic beauty as well as the treasured and versatile skills of the Arabian horse, all within an incredible 980,000 square-metre horseshoe shaped design. Centuries before natural gas and petroleum gave prominence to Qatar as one of the world's fastest growing economies, the country was known for its prized Arabians horses. When the Al Thani ancestors, the ruling family of the State of Qatar, migrated out of the inhospitable Arabian desert three centuries ago to settle in Qatar, the Arabian horse was a vital part of daily life. The Arabian horse played an important role in the founding of Qatar. In 1893, Bedouin tribesmen and their courageous Arabian steeds, led by Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, defeated the Ottomans in a battle that would eventually led to Qatar's independence. In honour of his ancestor, Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, His Highness the Father Amir located the Arabian breeding farm at the landmark AL SHAQAB battle site where more than a century ago the Bedouins had fought that pivotal battle that led to Qatar’s independence. Within an amazingly short period of time, AL SHAQAB bred three World Champion stallions, Gazal AL SHAQAB, Al Adeed AL SHAQAB and Marwan AL SHAQAB. Today, champion offspring of these stallions enhance the pedigree of Arabian horses in Qatar and worldwide. In 2004, AL SHAQAB became a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, with the mission to promote the highest standards in the breeding and showing of Arabian horses and provide innovative, educational and competitive opportunities in all of the equestrian arts. This year's Longines Global Champions Tour of Doha Grand Prix takes place on Saturday 15th November and will be broadcast on GCT TV, Eurosport, beIN Sports, Equidia Life and ClassHorseTV. Tickets for the event will be available soon, clickhere to register your interest and we will let you know as soon as tickets go on sale.
