SALES company representatives from Goffs, Tattersalls, DBS and Arqana were all in attendance at the 2015 international festival in Qatar this week, testament to the spending power of Qatari owners.

The Irish visitors included Horse Racing Ireland’s Brian Kavanagh, while Louis Romanet was also present.

Visitors travelled from the four corners of the globe and many press representatives from the leading racing nations were invited.

Arabian racing is very close to the hearts of the Qatari nation and the thoroughbred numbers are growing. Some 350 to 400 horses are in training in the country, with Dubday being the outstanding performer.

In 2004 the top-rated horse in training in Qatar was 95, but this is now approaching 120.

With an infrastructure that is improving all the time, it is the aim of the QREC to become a significant player on the world racing stage.

As owners now of some of the world’s best racehorses, they are already making quite an impact outside their native land.