DOHA: One of the world’s top horse racing venues is playing host to a partnership between Qatar Airways and the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club for the prestigious Qatar Goodwood Festival. The partnership celebrates Qatar Airways’ support for the power of sport in bringing people together at one of the highlights of the social season in the United Kingdom (UK).
Bringing a sense of style and fashion to the turf, Qatar Airways will also recognise the best hats worn at Ladies Day at the Qatar Goodwood Festival, taking place at the renowned Goodwood racecourse in West Sussex, UK. Throughout Ladies Day, racegoers are encouraged to enter their hats into the Qatar Airways competition, judged by leading style influencer Hermione Olivia. The winner will receive a pair of return Business Class tickets from the UK to Doha, plus five-star hotel accommodation provided by the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club. Several hundred racegoers are expected to enter the competition, with entries to be highlighted throughout the day on Instagram using the hashtag firstclasshat.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “As an airline that brings the highest levels of service and style to everything we do, Qatar Airways is delighted to be associated with the Qatar Goodwood Festival. The UK is a very important market for Qatar Airways and is always at the forefront of our innovations. It was the first route for our award-winning Business Class concept, Qsuite, which entered service from Heathrow in June this year. Next year our network of UK destinations will continue to grow with the welcome addition of Cardiff, complementing existing flights to Edinburgh, Manchester, London and Birmingham.”
The Qatari affinity for horses has helped forge strong cultural links with horsing communities around the world and celebrates Qatar Airways’ aim to bring people together through the power of sport. Qatar Airways has also showcased its equestrian credentials in Ireland by recently partnering with The Curragh and becoming the official airline partner of the 2017 Dublin Horse Show, following the launch of flights to Dublin. The event, taking place from 1-5 August 2017, in partnership with the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club is a long-established part of the UK’s social calendar, and a major sporting and social highlight of the ‘British Summer Season’.
Over the five-day festival, top jockeys and horses will compete in some of the UK’s most prestigious races including the Qatar Sussex Stakes, one of the highlights of the flat racing season, with prize money of £1 million attracting a world-class field. Qatar Airways will be present at Goodwood throughout the event and will display its stunning First Class seat to showcase its award-wining cabins and in-flight services to race-goers. Alex Eade, General Manager of Goodwood Racecourse, said: “Goodwood Racecourse is delighted that Qatar Airways has become a partner of the Qatar Goodwood Festival. As a brand that shares Goodwood’s values in providing the best possible experience to its customers, Qatar Airways’ sponsorship of our flagship meeting is another milestone in making the Qatar Goodwood Festival a unique and global event.”
Nasser Sherida Al Kaabi, General Manager of Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club, said: “The Qatar Goodwood Festival is one of the highlights of our global sponsorship portfolio and we are delighted to welcome Qatar Airways as a partner. “We thank Qatar Airways for their response and support to our initiative. We are confident that Qatar Airways’ presence will add more success to the high-profile event and we look forward to a highly exciting edition and an extended partnership with Qatar Airways.” Qatar Airways offers a choice of 72 non-stop flights per week from London Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh to Doha and onwards to a network of over 150 destinations worldwide. Qatar Airways is also launching 26 exciting new destinations around the world between now and the end of 2018, including; Chiang Mai, Thailand; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; San Francisco, U.S.; and Santiago, Chile.
Multiple award-winning Qatar Airways was this year awarded Airline of the Year by the prestigious 2017 Skytrax World Airline Awards, the fourth time it has won this global accolade. Qatar’s national carrier also clinched Best Airline in the Middle East, World’s Best Business Class and World’s Best First Class Airline Lounge. News Desk
