KIAHF auction sees record of QR3.2mn

The Katara International Arabian Horse Festival (KIAHF 2022) Auction took place at the Katara Esplanade Monday and was attended by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, Qatar Football Association president Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al-Thani, as well as other dignitaries, horse owners, breeders and equestrian sports lovers.The second edition of the KIAHF is being held under the patronage of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani until February 12.The auction saw a world record being set with the embryo of champion international mare FT Shaella (of Dubai Arabian Horse Stud) fetching QR3.2mn, the organisers said in a statement yesterday.The bid was the highest in the world for an embryo, the KIAHF organisers said in a tweet.This was the first time that participants could bid for embryo and breeding horses at the KIAHF.The auction saw bidding for more than 30 purebred champions.Ghaliah Al Kheesa, champion bay mare of Al Kheesa Stud, was sold for QR350,000, while breeding FA El Rasheem (of Dubai Arabian Horse Stud) was sold for QR120,000.The auction event witnessed strict precautionary measures in compliance with the safety standards followed in the country to prevent the spread of coronavirus with all social distancing rules being followed.Malika Mohamed al-Shraim, general secretary of the KIAHF Organising Committee and New Media Department manager at Katara, said that equestrianism is one of the most important sports for which Qatar provides great support, working tirelessly to implement international standards in the championships it organises.This has made the country a global sporting destination for horse owners, breeders and horse lovers who are looking for distinctive championships that contribute to preserving the authentic Arab heritage, and boost Qatar’s reputation and make the nation proud in the field of equestrianism.Al-Shraim added that the KIAHF is one of the most important sporting events and seeks to protect the rich equestrian heritage through the diversity of its activities related to horses and equestrian sports, art and culture.Nasser bin Sherida al-Kaabi of the Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club praised the professional organisation of the KIAHF auction, which witnessed the participation of the most prominent purebred Arabian horse breeds, and noted that the beginning of the auction achieved great success amid the keenness of horse owners.He noted that KIAHF 2022 is one of the largest international festivals concerned with show horses, and witnesses a large presence of the best and most prestigious international horses.Al-Kaabi said that the festival has “written for itself a certificate of success thanks to the great co-operation between the constituent bodies of the organising committee, foremost of which is Katara – the Cultural Village Foundation”.He noted that the vision of the auction is based on Qatar becoming a global centre for Arabian horse auctions, and promoting a culture of interest in auctions to participate in championships of purebred Arabian horses that are held locally and internationally.The auction also aims to provide an opportunity for interested owners, breeders and lovers of Arabian horses.The KIAHF is organised by Katara in association with Qatar Equestrian and Modern Pentathlon federation, Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club, and Qatar Foundation.The 11-day festival has a total prize QR17,083,500, of which QR13,990,000 is for the Title Show.