The Katara International Arabian Horse Festival (KIAHF 2022) auction took place on Monday at Katara Esplanade in the presence of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Qatar Football Association President Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al-Thani, as well as other dignitaries, horse owners, breeders and equestrian sports enthusiasts.

The second edition of KIAHF is held under the patronage of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani until February 12.
The auction saw a world record set with the embryo of international champion mare FT Shaella (of the Dubai Arabian Horse Stud) reaching 3.2 million QR, organizers said in a statement yesterday.
The bid was the highest in the world for an embryo, KIAHF organizers said in a tweet.
This was the first time participants could bid for embryos and breeding horses at KIAHF.
The auction saw bids for over 30 purebred champions.
Al Kheesa Stud champion bay mare Ghaliah Al Kheesa was sold for QR 350,000, while kennel FA El Rasheem (of Dubai Arabian Horse Stud) was sold for QR 120,000.
The auction event witnessed strict precautionary measures in accordance with the safety standards followed in the country to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, with all social distancing rules observed.
Malika Mohamed al-Shraim, secretary general of the KIAHF organizing committee and head of the new media department at Katara, said that horse riding is one of the most important sports for which Qatar gives great support, working tirelessly to implement international standards in the championships it organizes.
This has made the country a global sporting destination for horse owners, breeders and horse enthusiasts who seek distinctive championships that help preserve authentic Arabian heritage, enhance Qatar’s reputation and make the nation proud in the field. horse riding.
Al-Shraim added that the KIAHF is one of the most important sporting events and seeks to protect the rich equestrian heritage through its diversity of activities related to horses and equestrian sports, art and culture.
Nasser bin Sherida al-Kaabi of Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club praised the professional organization of the KIAHF auction, which saw the participation of the most prominent Arabian horse breeds, and noted that the start of the auction was a great success amid the enthusiasm of horse owners.
He noted that KIAHF 2022 is one of the biggest international festivals dedicated to show horses and that it sees a large attendance of the best and most prestigious international horses.
Al-Kaabi said the festival has “written itself a certificate of achievement thanks to the great cooperation between the constituent bodies of the organizing committee, foremost among which is Katara – the Cultural Village Foundation”.
He noted that the vision for the auction is based on Qatar becoming a global center for Arabian horse auctions and promoting a culture of interest in bidding to participate in purebred Arabian horse championships. pure that take place locally and internationally.
The auction is also intended to provide an opportunity for interested Arabian horse owners, breeders and enthusiasts.
The KIAHF is organized by Katara in association with the Qatar Equestrian and Modern Pentathlon Federation, Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club and the Qatar Foundation.
The 11-day festival has a total prize pool of QR 17,083,500, including QR 13,990,000 for the Title Show.