Set in a beautiful and tranquil environment in Al Rayyan, the prestigious Al Shaqab Stud farm – owned by HH the Emir, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, and attached to Qatar Foundation is home to an unrivalled collection of pure-bred Arab show and race horses. One of the first private studs to be established in the Gulf, its architecture reflects the historic importance of horses in Arab culture and tradition, with walled paddocks surrounding a fortress-style stable yard and water well.

Al Shaqab has promoted Qatar to the fore in the world of the equestrian show ring, and among indigenous Arabian bloodlines at the stud today can be found pedigrees with recent histories in America, Britain, Egypt, Poland, Russia and Spain. The stud, which was originally set up to reintroduce the breeding of these magnificent horses in Qatar, is now ensuring that horsemanship continues to be taught and appreciated through its professionally managed Equestrian Academy with some of the best facilities in Qatar and a regular programme of events and competitions.