Trophies designed by students of the Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar (VCUQatar) for the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club’s prestigious Qatar Prix de l’ Arc de Triomphe and the Qatar Arabian World Cup races will be showcased at the events coming up on Sunday in Paris, a spokesperson said.
Of the six different designs which won the Equestrian Club’s approval, Noura al-Khulaifi’s work was chosen as the design for the Qatar Prix de l’ Arc de Triomphe trophy. Yang Soon Ju’s design went to the Qatar Arabian World Cup trophy.
Foundation (first year) student Noura al-Khulaifi, who designed the Arc trophy, was thrilled to see the final product which was handmade in Milan from a wooden mould of her design and fabricated into a masterpiece in gold and pearls with a malachite base.
Al-Khulaifi’s trophy design was inspired by the Qatari flag and rocco French style, incorporated with nine triangles of the flag at the bottom, the fluer de lys motif in the centre and a horse to crown the trophy.
“I think this is the most beautiful trophy I’ve ever seen,” Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club’s general manager, Sami Jassim al-Boenain, who brought the finished trophy to VCUQatar said.
He added that the detail and the design of the trophy captured the spirit of the Qatar Prix de l’ Arc de Triomphe.
“It is a fusion of the two cultures and shows the element of co-operation and collaboration,” he added.
VCUQatar dean Allyson Vanstone said: “We are honoured that the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club approached VCUQatar to collaborate on the trophy designs. When reviewing the project, we decided that it was an outstanding opportunity for our first-year students to begin thinking about the integration of cultures, design and sport.”
“The final trophy designs showcase the thoughtful creations VCUQatar students are capable of with the guidance and support of their VCUQatar faculty. The trophies are a great achievement and we are thrilled to have been a part of the project,” Vanstone added.
Considered the most prestigious flat race, the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is a group one race, limited to 20 starters, run on turf over the classic distance of 2400m on the first Sunday in October.
The inter-generational competition brings together the best male and female thoroughbreds aged three and above.
A total of 4mn euros is awarded as prize money for the race with the first place winner taking €2,285,600, €914,400 awarded to the second place winner, €457,200 to the third, €228,400 to the fourth and €114,400 to the fifth place winner.
Last year, the Qatar Arabian World Cup was included, for the first time, in the programme of the Arc day of racing as part of the new partnership and with a prize money of €450,000, thus becoming the most prestigious race for pure Arabian horses.
The first place at the event wins €225,000, the second place €90,000, the third place €67,500, the fourth place €45,000 and the fifth place €22,500.
The Qatar Prix de l’ Arc de Triomphe race will be run at 4.10pm and the Qatar Arabian World race at 5pm.
Both races, to be held at Longchamp race-course in Paris, will be telecast live on Al Jazeera channel.
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