Buy a racehorse to race in Qatar: a private guide for owners

By the Silk Road Bloodstock team · Updated 25 October 2026

The Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) has 70 fixtures in 2026-27, from 14 October 2026 to 15 April 2027, at Al Rayyan and Al Uqda. The highlight is the HH The Amir Sword Festival on 10 to 13 February 2027, where the HH The Amir Trophy for thoroughbreds is now a Group 1 worth US$2.5 million. We find the right thoroughbred at the best sales worldwide, buy it in your name and deliver it to a licensed trainer in Qatar, or to a trainer abroad.

The 2026-27 Qatar season at a glance

Racing opened at Al Rayyan on 14 October with the Al Ghariyah Cup meeting. Al Uqda joins from 14 November (Al Noof Cup day). The four-day Amir Sword Festival runs on dirt for its first two days and on turf for the last two. QREC also lists the Qatar Derby, the Qatar Oaks, Guineas and Barzan Cup day and other trophy days through the season.

Key dates 2026–27

What a Qatar owner usually buys

• A rated horse in training from the autumn sales in Europe, ready for the second half of the season. The festival handicap on 13 February is for horses rated 90 to 110, so the rating you buy matters.
• Dirt or turf, decided first. Qatar races on both. A turf horse with turf form is a known quantity; a turf horse "who will love the dirt" is a hope.
• A high-class horse for the festival, kept with its trainer abroad and flown in for the big days. These are rare and priced accordingly.
• A younger horse for next season, bought at the December sales and given time.

How we buy for you

1. Your brief: budget, target races and your trainer if you have one. Send it here or by email.
2. We search the best sales worldwide and private sellers, not one country, and send you a private shortlist with pedigree, form, ratings and videos. We never list specific horses on this site.
3. Inspection and independent vetting (X-rays and a wind scope) before any bid.
4. Your written authority before any bid or offer.
5. You pay the seller or the sale company directly. Your purchase money never passes through us.
6. Delivery to a licensed trainer of your choice, with a licensed shipper handling export papers, health tests and flights. Your trainer handles owner registration with the racing authority, and we confirm the owner and import rules in writing before we buy.

What it costs

• The horse: budgets from US$50,000.
• Our fee: 5% of the price, minimum US$5,000, agreed in writing before we start. If we are ever paid by both sides, both are told in writing first.
• Also allow for: vetting, insurance, shipping, import costs and training fees. Cost calculator.

Racing is never certain, and we never promise wins or returns. Owning a racehorse is a passion, not a way to make money. We promise a careful search and advice that works only for you. Licensed trainers train; we help you choose one, place the horse and supervise the plan.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Amir Sword Festival in 2027?

QREC lists the HH The Amir Sword Festival for 10 to 13 February 2027 at Al Rayyan. The HH The Amir Trophy for thoroughbreds and the Amir Sword for purebred Arabians are both on the final day, 13 February. Always check qrec.gov.qa for final dates.

Can an owner from outside Qatar run a horse there?

Some races, such as the Qatar International Thoroughbred Handicap Cup on 13 February 2027, are open to international runners. For the rest of the season the horse is usually based with a licensed trainer in Qatar. Your trainer confirms owner registration and import rules with QREC before we buy.

How much does it cost to buy a horse for Qatar?

Budgets start from US$50,000 for the horse. Our fee is 5% of the price, minimum US$5,000, agreed in writing. Also allow for vetting, insurance, shipping, import costs and training fees.

Does Silk Road Bloodstock train horses?

No. Licensed trainers train. We help you buy the horse, choose a licensed trainer, place the horse and supervise the plan.

Sources

Checked 25 October 2026. Dates and conditions are as published and can change; always confirm with the racing authority.

• Qatar Tribune, 12 Oct 2026: QREC 2026-27 programme (70 fixtures, 14 Oct to 15 Apr, Amir Sword Festival 10-13 Feb, Amir Trophy promoted to Group 1, US$2.5m, international handicap rated 90-110)
• Qatar News Agency (Arabic), 11 Oct 2026: QREC announces the local race programme for the new season

Owner registration: Qatar (QREC) and Bahrain (REHC) racehorse owner registration · Saudi Arabia (JCSA)

Read next: Buy a racehorse: Kuwait · Buy a racehorse: Bahrain · Buy a racehorse: Oman · Buy a racehorse in Saudi Arabia · Buy a racehorse in Dubai · Bahrain Turf Series 2026-27: buying a horse in time · The global owner's calendar