Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Qatar: Inside the 'Hollywood' of horses, Al Shaqab is the essence of equine luxury

CNN.com - Full Article

By Matt Majendie, for CNN
Updated 5:27 AM ET, Mon November 11, 2019

(CNN)It has been described as the "Hollywood" of horses, and it's certainly a winner in the glamor stakes. But Qatar's Al Shaqab is more of a seven-star equine resort than a make-believe movie set.

The multi-million-dollar center on the outskirts of the capital Doha is Qatar's luxury launchpad into equine excellence, from elite show jumpers to Arabian show horses and endurance racers. It is also helping to spawn the highly successful thoroughbred horse racing operation now predominantly based in France under the same name.

The stunning complex has been built in the shape of a horseshoe around an old Ottoman stable and fort. It serves to promote both Qatar's rich heritage with Arabian horses, and set the "highest standards in horse welfare, breeding, equine education and research," according to its website.

The facilities include a breeding center and stabling for more than 400 horses, a state-of-the-art equine hospital, indoor and outdoor performance arenas as well as an air-conditioned hydrotherapy and exercise unit complete with walking carousel, a circular swimming pool akin to a lazy river and a therapeutic spray bath like an equine Jacuzzi. Huge heat lamps dry the horses after their dips...

Read more here:
https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/11/sport/al-shaqab-hollywood-horses/?utm_medium=40digest.7days3.20191112.home&utm_source=email&utm_content=&utm_campaign=campaign

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