The Silk Road Journal · Ownership · Qatar & Bahrain
Qatar (QREC) and Bahrain (REHC) Racehorse Owner Registration, 2026-27
Two neighbours, two racing authorities, two sets of forms. Here is who can own a racehorse in each, what the licence and colours involve, which horses can be imported, and how a horse trained abroad gets a run.
A light-hearted guide. Hamad and his sister Latifa are invented. Facts are sourced at the end and were checked on 25 October 2026. Nothing here is legal advice; QREC and the REHC have the final word.
Quick answer: owner registration in Qatar and Bahrain
Qatar: get a QREC owner licence for the current season; a horse stabled and trained in Qatar normally needs an owner with Qatari nationality or residency (a valid Qatar ID) unless QREC gives special permission. Bahrain: apply to the REHC Racing Director with the form, the fee and your Bahrain CPR; licences end each 1 October, and non-Bahraini nationals and residents are licensed at the REHC's discretion.
- Qatar from abroad: the Amir Sword Festival international races (10 to 13 Feb 2027) are by QREC invitation
- Bahrain imports: rated 60+ at 3, 70+ at 4 and up; registered within 14 days of arrival
- Bahrain Turf Series: 14 turf handicaps for horses rated 80+, 18 Dec 2026 to 4 Mar 2027
- Colours: registered with the authority before your horse can run
Qatar · Bahrain · Side by side · FAQ · Email us which country suits you
Hamad (invented, 45, owns a chain of pharmacies) wanted a horse for the Amir Sword Festival. His sister Latifa wanted one for the Bahrain Turf Series, mostly so she could beat Hamad's. They asked the same question on the same evening: "How do we register?"
The good news: both countries have one racing authority each, and both publish their rules. The less good news: the rules are not the same, and the residency question matters more than either of them expected.
How do you register as a racehorse owner in Qatar?
Apply to the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) for an owner licence for the current season, and place the horse with a QREC-licensed trainer. QREC's General Instructions say the Racing Department does not accept entries from owners, trainers or jockeys without a current licence.
- The residency question: for horses stabled and trained in Qatar, QREC's General Instructions say the owner normally needs Qatari nationality, or residency with a valid Qatar ID, unless QREC gives special permission.
- Restricted races: some races are for Qatari-owned horses only, with their own conditions.
- Stabling: QREC circular 13 of 2026, reported by Al-Sharq, set monthly stabling fees from October 2026 at QR 1,500 at Al Rayyan, QR 1,200 at Al Uqda and QR 1,000 at Al Zubara.
- The season: 70 fixtures at Al Rayyan and Al Uqda, 14 October 2026 to 15 April 2027, with the Amir Sword Festival on 10 to 13 February 2027.
We read the General Instructions edition QREC published for 2025-26. QREC's own website blocks automated reading, so ask the QREC Racing Department to confirm the 2026-27 wording, the owner licence fee and the documents before you buy. Your trainer usually makes this call for you.
Racing in Qatar with a horse trained abroad
The international races at the Amir Sword Festival are by invitation from QREC. The handicapper gives each nominated horse an international rating, and selection is based on it. In 2027 the festival includes the HH The Amir Trophy (now Group 1, US$2.5 million) and a Qatar International Thoroughbred Handicap Cup rated 90 to 110, open to international runners. In earlier editions QREC asked for blood tests within 30 days of export and the agreed health certificate from the exporting country; check the 2027 conditions.
Our service page buy a racehorse to race in Qatar covers what to buy for each route.
How do you register as a racehorse owner in Bahrain?
Racing in Bahrain is run by the Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club (REHC), which races at the Bahrain Turf Club in Sakhir. Apply in writing to the Racing Director on the correct form, with the licence fee and a copy of your Bahrain CPR (smartcard). Licences last one year and end on the following 1 October.
- Owner licence. Only licensed people can take part in racing. The Racing Director approves each owner registration and can refuse one without giving a reason.
- Who: the REHC Rules of Racing 2026/27 say owner licences are granted to non-Bahraini nationals and residents at the REHC's discretion. A syndicate counts as one ownership for this rule.
- Partnerships, leases and syndicates. Lodge a document with the names, addresses, shares and terms. One person acts in all official matters except a sale. A syndicate can put legal possession in no more than 4 members, one of them the manager.
- Colours. Owners and partnerships apply every year to register colours, for a fee set by the authority. Registration runs to 30 September the next year, and new colours must follow the REHC patterns.
- The horse. An imported Thoroughbred older than 2 must be registered with the Racing Office within 14 days of import, with its passport and racing record endorsed by the foreign racing authority.
The owner licence and colours fees are not printed in the rule book, so confirm them with the REHC Racing Office. Its application forms are online at the Bahrain Turf Club.
Which horses can be imported to race in Bahrain?
The REHC import criteria for 2026/27 are clear. 2-year-olds need no rating. 3-year-olds need an official international rating of 60 or more, or no rating yet. Horses aged 4 and up need 70 or more. A horse aged 3 or more that has not raced in the last 18 months cannot be imported, and every horse needs a fitness to race certificate with a wind examination from a registered vet.
The Bahrain Turf Series and horses from abroad
The 2026-27 Bahrain Turf Series has 14 turf handicaps for horses rated 80 and above, from 18 December 2026 to the King's Cup Festival on 4 March 2027. The club set the stabling nominations deadline for Thursday 5 November 2026; after that date, ask the club about late places. Questions about shipping, subsidies and incentives go to the club directly. More in Bahrain Turf Series 2026-27: buying a horse in time and buy a racehorse to race in Bahrain.
The Silk Road Letter
Twice a month: the sales worth watching, one buying tip and one real market number (plus the odd catalogue joke). Free with it: our 2026-27 sale calendar (PDF) and a one-page guide to what a racehorse really costs. We email a link to confirm first. Unsubscribe in one click.
Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the UAE side by side
| Country | Authority | Who can own | Licence | From abroad |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qatar | QREC | Normally Qatari nationals or residents (Qatar ID) for horses trained in Qatar; special permission possible | Current season; fee from QREC | Amir Sword Festival international races, by invitation |
| Bahrain | REHC (Bahrain Turf Club) | Non-Bahraini nationals and residents at the REHC's discretion | 1 year, ends 1 October; colours yearly | Turf Series for horses rated 80+ |
| Saudi Arabia | JCSA | People 18+, or companies with a commercial register | Owner register + colours before entries | Saudi Cup meeting, 5 to 6 Feb 2027 |
| UAE | ERA | Single owners, partnerships, syndicates; International Stable for non-residents | AED 1,200 + VAT a year | Dubai Racing Carnival, rated 80+ |
Full steps for the other two: how to register as a racehorse owner in Saudi Arabia and how to own a racehorse in the UAE.
What does it cost?
The licence is the smallest bill. The horse, the flight and the monthly training bill are the real costs. Budgets for a horse that can compete in the Gulf start from about US$50,000 with us.
- The horse: for Bahrain's Turf Series you need a horse rated 80 or more; for the Qatar international handicap, 90 to 110. Better horses cost more.
- Getting it there: vetting, export tests, the flight and quarantine. Ask your shipper for a written quote.
- Keeping it: trainer's fees, stabling (in Qatar from QR 1,000 to QR 1,500 a month), vet, farrier and race fees.
Racing is a passion with a budget, not a way to make money. We never promise wins or returns.
Race in Qatar or Bahrain this season, with the papers right.
Email us your budget, your residency and your target race. We will reply with an honest view of the right country and route, the horse that fits, and every form your trainer will need, before you spend anything.
Email info@silkroadbloodstock.com first, from anywhere in the world. Phone +971 52 311 2385 second. WhatsApp as backup.
5% fee (min US$5,000), agreed in writing. You pay the seller directly; your money never goes through us. If we are ever paid by both sides, both are told in writing first.
Selling a horse?
List it free, wherever it is trained. You pay 5% only if it sells to a buyer we introduce (including through our site), within 6 months of the introduction.
Related guides
- How to register as a racehorse owner in Saudi Arabia (JCSA)
- Bahrain Turf Series 2026-27: buying a horse in time
- How to own a racehorse in the UAE: the 4 ways in
- Buy a racehorse: Qatar · Bahrain · Saudi Arabia
- How to choose a racehorse trainer: 12 questions
The Silk Road Letter
Twice a month: the sales worth watching, one buying tip and one real market number (plus the odd catalogue joke). Free with it: our 2026-27 sale calendar (PDF) and a one-page guide to what a racehorse really costs. We email a link to confirm first. Unsubscribe in one click.
Frequently asked questions
How do I register as a racehorse owner in Qatar?
Apply to the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) for an owner licence for the current season and place the horse with a QREC-licensed trainer. QREC's General Instructions say entries are not accepted from owners without a current licence.
Do I need to live in Qatar to own a racehorse there?
For a horse stabled and trained in Qatar, QREC's General Instructions say the owner normally needs Qatari nationality or residency with a valid Qatar ID, unless QREC gives special permission. International races at the Amir Sword Festival are by QREC invitation. Confirm with QREC.
How do I register as a racehorse owner in Bahrain?
Apply in writing to the Racing Director of the Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club (REHC) on the correct form, with the licence fee and a copy of your Bahrain CPR (smartcard). Licences run for one year and end on 1 October. Colours are registered each year.
Can a non-Bahraini own a racehorse in Bahrain?
Yes, at the REHC's discretion. The REHC Rules of Racing 2026/27 say owner licences are granted to non-Bahraini nationals and residents at the discretion of the REHC.
What rating does a horse need to be imported to Bahrain?
Under the REHC import criteria, 2-year-olds need no rating, 3-year-olds need an official rating of 60 or more (or no rating yet), and horses aged 4 and up need 70 or more. Horses aged 3 and up that have not raced in the last 18 months cannot be imported.
Does Silk Road Bloodstock train horses?
No. Licensed trainers train. We find and buy the right horse worldwide, choose a licensed trainer with you and handle the paperwork with that trainer.
Spotted an error? Email info@silkroadbloodstock.com and we will fix it within 48 hours.
Sources
Checked 25 October 2026. Rules and fees can change; always confirm with QREC or the REHC.
- Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club, General Instructions 2025-2026 (current-season licences; owner nationality or residency with a valid Qatar ID for horses stabled and trained in Qatar unless special permission; restricted races)
- QREC, General Instructions page (confirm the 2026-27 edition here)
- Al-Sharq (Arabic), 24 Sep 2026: QREC circular 13 of 2026, stabling fees from October 2026 (QR 1,500 Al Rayyan, QR 1,200 Al Uqda, QR 1,000 Al Zubara)
- Qatar Tribune, 12 Oct 2026: QREC 2026-27 programme (70 fixtures, 14 Oct to 15 Apr; Amir Sword Festival 10 to 13 Feb 2027; Amir Trophy Group 1, US$2.5m; international handicap rated 90 to 110)
- The Peninsula, 21 Jan 2024: QREC conditions for the Amir Sword Festival (international races by invitation; international ratings; blood tests within 30 days of export; earlier edition)
- Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club, Rules of Racing 2026/27 (Article 24 licensing, Bahrain CPR, licences end 1 October; Article 25 owners, non-Bahraini nationals and residents at the REHC's discretion; Article 26 syndicates; Article 34 colours; Article 36.8 registration within 14 days of import; Annexe 2 import criteria)
- REHC, Rules of Racing 2024 (same owner and syndicate articles in the earlier edition)
- Bahrain Turf Club, The Bahrain Turf Series 2026-27 (14 races, rated 80+, 18 Dec 2026 to 4 Mar 2027, stabling nominations by Thu 5 Nov 2026)
- Bahrain Turf Club, The REHC (role; application forms; rules)
- Emirates Racing Authority, racehorse ownership (for the UAE row)
- Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, Rules of Racing 2026-2027 (for the Saudi row)