DOHA: The 2016 H H the Emir’s Sword Meeting - which takes place over the weekend - has attracted strong international entries for all the feature races.

The feature races include the 2016 H H the Emir’s Trophy (Gr 1) Thoroughbred and H H the Emir’s Sword both being run over 12 furlongs.

The H H Emir’s Trophy (Gr 1) Thoroughbred has attracted the Qatar Derby dead heat pair of Tannaaf Mike de Kock and Rogue Runner Mario Hofer.

From the UK Brian Meehan runs Agent Murphy with Richard Hannon running the Al Shaqab owned Tashaar and David O’Meara with the Mrs John Magnier and Middleham Park Racing owned Afonso De Sousa.

From France the Pascal Bary-trained Billabong completes the European contingent.

The H H Emir’s Sword features the Thomas Fourcy-trained and Al Shaqab owned Al Mourtajez with runners from UAE and Oman such as Abu Alabyad and Shaheer as well as Arkan.

The Qatar International Cup features another horse from the combination of Thomas Fourcy and Al Shaqab in Aba’ath who won at the Qatar Derby meeting for Purebred Arabians. So Big is Better will make the trip from Abu Dhabi for his American trainer/owner Mark Powell.

The H H the Emir’s Sword Meeting will see the introduction of a new thoroughbred turf race programme over the three days with the Qatar International Thoroughbred Cup now sponsored by Irish Thoroughbred Marketing for three year olds and up over a mile on the Saturday.

The Richard Hannon-trained and Al Shaqab owned Moheet heads the sole UK entry with one entry from France in the Francois Graffard-trained and Al Shaqab owned Snaad. Mike de Kock has entered Anaerobio and Abdulla Kuwaiti has Bartack in the race.

Nasser Al Kaabi General Manager of the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) said: “The 2016 H H The Emir’s Sword Meeting is our most prestigious race meeting of the year in Qatar and we are pleased to have attracted such a strong international entry. I am particularly pleased to see the victorious Qatar International Derby horses in Perkunas Rogue Runner and Tannaaf all returning to Qatar.”

On February 27 there will be the running of the Katara Sprint Cup over six furlongs for three-year-olds and up and the running of the H H the Emir’s Shalfa (Laffan Mile) over one mile.

The Katara Sprint Cup sees recent Lingfield Park winner Rivellino being entered by Karl Burke as well as the Marco Botti-trained Golden Steps.

Brian Meehan could return to Qatar with Al Rayyan Stakes victor Perkunas whilst Richard Hannon has Tony Curtis in the saddle.

Also yesterday QREC signed a sponsorship signing ceremony with Al Emadi Enterprises who was represented by CEO Mohammed Al Emadi.

Al Emadi said: “We’re very proud to be associated with the prestigious H H the Emir’s Sword Meeting. We’re indeed very much impressed with their high-level of event organisation. It is our great pleasure and privilege that we have the opportunity to partner with QREC during this week. “

Shipment of invited horses will be arranged and paid for by QREC. Connections of horses will also receive business class flights and accommodation.The Peninsula