The escalating diplomatic crisis between Qatar and its neighbours is a subject of concern to many in British horse racing, as a result of that country’s enormous investment in the sport in recent years. From a position of almost no involvement less than a decade ago, Qatar rivals Dubai for significance in Flat racing, thanks in large part to the interest shown by two members of the ruling al-Thani family, Sheikh Fahad and Sheikh Joaan.
But Qatar’s situation appears perilous, following the news on Monday that nations including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain had severed diplomatic ties with Qatar, accusing it of destabilising the region and supporting terrorist groups. The countries involved declared they would halt all land, air and sea traffic with Qatar, eject its diplomats and order Qatari citizens to leave within a fortnight.
Peninsular Qatar has a single land border, with Saudi Arabia, and the prospect of its closure has reportedly caused panic buying of food. Qatari officials deny the allegations against their country and say the blockade is part of a plan to undermine their state.
In the context of a crisis on that scale, any amount of horse racing sponsorship is clearly small potatoes. Still, British racing is awash with Qatari money just now and officials at several tracks are clearly hoping that will continue to be true for a long time.
In December 2014, the state of Qatar signed up to back Glorious Goodwood, renamed as the Qatar Goodwood Festival, in a 10-year deal that was described as the biggest in the history of British racing. No value was put on that deal in reports at the time but it took the total prize money for the 2015 meeting to £4.5m.
Just six months later, another “biggest ever” deal was struck, estimated at £50m in value, between Ascot, Newmarket, the British Champions Series of races and Qipco, an investment vehicle for some members of the al-Thani family. Under the deal, prize money for Champions Day is supposed to reach £5m by 2024.
Qipco was already the sponsor of the British Champions Series and had already become Ascot’s first official partner, entitling it to branding rights during two days of the Royal meeting each year. Sheikh Joaan had runners in Britain last year with 11 different trainers, while Sheikh Fahad used 18. Sheikh Joaan’s Al Shaqab Racing, which sponsors Newbury’s Lockinge Stakes, finished fourth in the owner’s table by prize money won with a total of just under £2m.
Understandably, officials have responded with caution when asked to discuss whether Qatari investment can be expected to continue in the light of recent events, or whether it should continue. The British Horseracing Authority said it would be guided by the position of the British government in such matters.
“The UK government has encouraged the development of a strong and growing trading relationship with Qatar and we are not currently aware of any change in that regard,” a BHA spokesman said. “Qatar remains a significant investor in the UK, accounting for £35bn of existing investment.”
Individual sponsorships of races were a matter for the tracks involved, the BHA added. Goodwood did not respond to my requests for comment, while Ascot confined itself to saying: “Qipco has made and continues to make a significant contribution to British racing through its role as sponsors, owners, breeders and charity supporters.”
A spokesperson for the British Champions Series said: “Qipco is a privately owned company which has made, and continues to make, a significant contribution to British racing through its role as sponsors, owners, breeders and charity supporters.”
So, steady as she goes, let’s see what happens and hope for the best, is the message. Doubtless everyone, or nearly everyone, is hoping for some sign of detente in the region.
Turning to Wednesday’s racing, Hamilton has passed a morning inspection after 22mm of rain but conditions are clearly going to be very testing there. Ugh, I’ve managed to nap an odds-on shot in Amy Blair. Taking 8-11 on that kind of ground is not really for me.
Archie’s Advice (4.10) might be more like it at 11-2. His last three turf wins have come on ground with some cut, two of them at this track. He’s been running OK so far this year, on much sounder surfaces, and I think it’s fair to expect a better effort here in a race that is threatening to fall apart through non-runners.
Half an hour later, the 4-1 shot Royal Connoisseur (4.40) is another who might appreciate the sog underfoot. This is his first chance on a soft surface since he scored a double in the autumn, one of those wins coming at Hamilton.
He’s only 1lb higher than for his last winning mark. Adam McNamara rides for the first time since scoring on him here in July. The favourite, Dandyleekie, is capable but has frustrated me on a couple of occasions and I’d rather be against him if 2-1 is all that’s on offer.
At Ripon tonight, Jordan Sport (8.05) is interesting at 12-1 in a sprint handicap. Just two days ago, he had his first run for four months, at Windsor, and ran well while suggesting he’d be sharper for it. He won twice on the all-weather during the winter, has winning form on soft and looks to me like a horse with more to offer.
Wednesday racing tips
Wolverhampton 1.50 Cruise Tothelimit 2.20 Makanah 2.50 Titus Secret 3.20 Strictly Carter 3.50 Viewpoint 4.20 Pirate’s Treasure 4.55 Inshiraah 5.25 Dusky Maid
Uttoxeter 2.00 Otter Moon 2.30 Robin The Raven 3.00 Dursey Sound 3.30 Sierra Oscar 4.00 Call The Cops 4.30 Day Of Roses 5.00 You’re A Lady
Hamilton 2.10 Lina’s Star 2.40 Jessinamillion 3.10 Mistiness 3.40 Amy Blair (nap) 4.10 Archie’s Advice (nb) 4.40 Royal Connoisseur 5.15 Mighty Zip
Kempton 5.55 Papou Tony 6.25 Karisma 6.55 Sand Shoe 7.25 Nathan Mayer 7.55 Murgan 8.25 Southern States
Ripon 6.35 Another Batt 7.05 Dance Teacher 7.35 Glorious Rocket 8.05 Jordan Sport 8.35 Pumblechook 9.05 Nathalie
