A new Partnership with the distinguished Qatar Racing and Equestrian club

Longines spreads its elegance throughout the equestrian world.
Attaining a further milestone and bestowing the Middle East with its prominent attitude of elegance, Longines has entered into a strategic business partnership with the acclaimed Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club. This exclusive partnership was announced at a glittering press conference that was graced by His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed Bin Faleh Al Thani, the Chairman of the Club, Mr. Sami Al Boenain, General Manager of the Club, Mr. Walter Von Känel, the President of Longines and Mr. Juan-Carlos Capelli, Vice-President and Head of International Marketing of Longines. Both entities are extremely notable in the international equestrian world and this alliance will see Longines become the official timekeeper for all equine events that will take place at the Racing and Equestrian Club.

Mr. Walter Von Känel, the President of Longines, commented on this partnership: “This strategic partnership with the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club is a very proud moment for all of us at Longines and we believe this collaboration will be an unforgettable one for the Equestrian world.

Becoming the official timekeeper for the forthcoming events at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian club, Longines strengthens its commitment to a magnificent sport that exudes elegance, tradition and performance, is celebrated worldwide and is a remarkable icon of Arab culture.”

His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed Bin Faleh Al Thani, the Chairman of the Club, spoke out on the occasion saying: “I would like to welcome Longines to Qatar and thank them for lending their constant support to equestrian sports in our country. Longines’ dedication to sports is evident in their predominant role as official timekeepers at numerous top-level sporting events, including many equestrian sports such as horseracing, show jumping and endurance competitions worldwide. It is expertise is laudable”. His Excellency also added: “We at Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) are grateful to Longines for coming forward and accepting this partnership with us. I would like to thank Longines for making this long-term partnership possible”.

With this new association, Longines strengthens its rich heritage and dedication to sports timing and also hugely impacts the equestrian circuit in the Middle East. Longines has chosen to be involved in equestrian events, because these sports fully express the values of elegance, tradition and performance that are dear to the brand.The Swiss brand is already present all around the world on various racecourses and as partner of prestigious Group I races, notably of the Melbourne Cup Carnival as of 2002, the races at Ascot and Royal Ascot, the Prix de Diane Longines, the Dubai World Cup, the Longines Singapore Gold Cup, the Kentucky Derby, the Grand Prix Longines Lydia Tesio, the Longines Grosser Preis von Baden and the Gran Premio Longines in Mexico.

A source of pride for Qatar, the Racing and Equestrian club is a landmark that can be credited with bringing to the fore a sport that along with being loved by millions, is also considered an innate part of Arab culture. Established in 1975 by His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar and His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, the Heir Apparent, the Racing and Equestrian club is an architectural marvel that contains state of the art facilities and is a force to reckon with in the equestrian world. Boasting of luxurious boxes and magnificent grandstands, the Racing and Equestrian Club is the official sponsor of numerous glamorous events. Bringing together some of the world’s best horses by presenting some of the world’s most important races, one such race being the Qatar Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe, that is held in Longchamp, Paris during the first week of October. This prestigious event attracts droves of viewers and spectators to the Longchamp racecourse every year and is one of the most exquisite equine events. Yet another inimitable occasion created by the Racing and Equestrian club is the Qatar Arabian World Cup, a purebred Arabian race.

Becoming the official timekeeper for all upcoming equestrian events at the Racing and Equestrian club, Longines will also be the presenting sponsor of the Emir Trophy and the Prix de l’Opéra Longines at Longchamps and timekeeper for some of the most majestic and lavish races that take place in Qatar such as the Sheikh Tamim Race and Sheikh Abdullah Race.

A blend of Qatari charm and the stylishness of Longines, it is evident that this partnership will be an alliance of sorts as royalty meets elegance in a season that will indubitably be memorable for the equestrian world.

Source: Press release