QATAR ARABIAN WORLD CUP - The world’s best race for Purebred Arabians on turf

Since 2008, the Qatar Arabian World Cup (Group 1 PA) has established itself as a major and unmissable international event for Purebred Arabians from around the world. Few races for the breed have brought together so many different nationalities, and its history is filled with runners from across Europe, the Gulf, as well as North Africa, Turkey and North America. Purebred Arabian racing is expanding rapidly in the Gulf countries, but also in France, where its importance has continued to grow in recent years. The Qatar Arabian World Cup, regarded as the best race in the world on turf for this breed of racehorse, plays a crucial role in the industry worldwide. Owners, breeders and trainers around the world dream of winning it. 

Ahead of the 2026 edition, which takes place on Sunday at ParisLongchamp, three trainers shared their thoughts with France Galop, organiser of the Qatar Arabian World Cup. They include François Rohaut, a four-time winner, three of those victories coming with the outstanding Al Ghadeer. Also Xavier Thomas-Demeaulte, one of the leading figures in the discipline in France, who is enjoying an excellent 2026 season. And finally Jean de Mieulle, one of the youngest trainers to have won a Group 1 for Purebred Arabians in France, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. 

Here are their main comments:

François Rohaut, trainer of Molfit and Geneva

“The Qatar Arabian World Cup has been Geneva’s main target this year. There was only one concern: that she might not be able to run because her own brother, Al Theeb, was also entered [a rule limits the participation in the same race of horses produced by embryo transfer and born in the same year, with Theeba having produced three foals in 2021, editor’s note]. Once he was withdrawn, we knew for certain that we would be able to take part.

“We have planned her entire season around this race. We come into it with a mare who is at the top of her game, who has always worked very well and who once again showed her quality in the prep race. If it were to rain again, even though that is not forecast, it would only be better for her and probably less favourable for some of her rivals. Geneva is going to run very well. I am convinced she will produce another big performance. She will be ridden by Tom Marquand.

“Molfit had a problem last year. He was really ill and, when he came back, we had to stop him completely and give him a break. We started again from scratch. He made a magnificent comeback in Turkey, where he won easily over a distance that was much too short for him. The horse will be at 100% for the big race.

“Obviously, it is a real challenge, but he has already shown that he is not far off the best. If one of those ahead of him underperforms, he will be there to take advantage. He is a horse who should be perfectly suited to ParisLongchamp. He is a big horse with plenty of substance, and I think he is really going to enjoy this track. Faleh Bughenaim knows him very well now. In short, everything is looking positive for both of them.

“When I think back to Al Ghadeer’s victories, there was always pressure, but it was good pressure. Today, he has another life [he has become a stallion] and we are carrying on with the others. In a way, everyone gets their turn. We have two excellent horses and it should once again be a very good race, on a track that looks set to be perfect.” 

Jean de Mieulle, trainer of Shayeg

“Shayeg is a genuine outsider, but a good outsider. He finished third in the prep race and he should improve from that. He will certainly lack a little experience, but if we are here, it is because we want to take our chance. We are going to try to cover as little extra ground as possible and hope to pick up a place. He is a horse who is improving with every run. There are some very good horses this year. On paper, it is difficult to imagine finishing in the first five, to be very honest, but I am coming here with a fresh horse. He will certainly be very good in the future, but I want to take our chance because the programme becomes more complicated afterwards. It is a very good edition this year. He will be ridden by Augustin Madamet. The draw does not really matter with him. He is a horse who is held up.” 

Xavier Thomas-Demeaulte, trainer of Lacaro du Croate and Maqbool

“We know Lacaro du Croate well; she has always been very consistent. She reached her best level in May at ParisLongchamp, where she ran very well. Last time at Goodwood, she was not necessarily running over her ideal distance, but she still produced a good performance, with a good finish.

“We had it in mind to come back to ParisLongchamp for this great race. We are going there with no pressure; anything we get will be a bonus. We know it is a strong field, but it is already a pleasure to take part in this race. Maqbool, meanwhile, is coming back from a season in Abu Dhabi. He then competed on the UAE President Cup circuit, as planned, and adapted to it quite well. We do not have a leading chance, but we are going to ride him with the aim of trying to pick up a place. You never know, if an opening appears… It is already a pleasure to have these colours represented in this race. So we are going to try to achieve the best possible finishing position. Marvin Grandin will ride Maqbool and Guillaume Guedj-Gay will partner Lacaro du Croate. He has remained loyal to her and rode her when she won in May. The partnership works perfectly, so we decided to keep them together.”