Three Qatar-Linked Runners Chase Breeders’ Cup Glory at Keeneland as Wathnan Racing and Qatar Racing Target World-Class Honours
Mdmar – Doha – Keeneland
Qatar-linked ownership interests will be represented by three runners on Saturday, October 31, as the 2026 Breeders’ Cup World Championships reach their conclusion at Keeneland Race Course in Kentucky, United States.
Wathnan Racing’s Map of Stars joins Qatar Racing co-owned Bless the Broken and Nakatomi in three prestigious Grade 1 contests carrying a combined $9 million in prize money.
The trio faces formidable international opposition in a championship programme featuring some of the world’s most accomplished Thoroughbreds, trainers and jockeys.
Map of Stars Targets the $5 Million Breeders’ Cup Turf
Wathnan Racing’s five-year-old Map of Stars takes on an elite international field in the Grade 1 Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf, contested over 1½ miles on grass with a purse of $5 million.
Trained in France by Francis-Henri Graffard and partnered by James Doyle, Map of Stars secured his place in the starting field following the withdrawal of Test Score.
The son of Sea The Stars has recorded six victories from 14 career starts, including an impressive success in the Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot in June 2026.
His record also includes Group 2 victories in France and several strong performances in Group 1 company, demonstrating his ability to compete against high-class international opposition.
Map of Stars now faces a challenging assignment against defending champion Ethical Diamond, Diamond Necklace, Benvenuto Cellini and Bay City Roller.
A strong performance would represent another significant achievement for Wathnan Racing on one of the sport’s biggest international stages.
Bless the Broken Carries Qatar Racing Ambitions
Four-year-old filly Bless the Broken represents Qatar Racing in partnership with Mountmellick Farm and Hunter Valley Farm in the Grade 1 Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf.
The $2 million contest is run over 1 3/16 miles on grass.
Trained by Brad Cox and ridden by Oisin Murphy, Bless the Broken breaks from post position seven after an encouraging campaign highlighted by her successful transition to turf racing.
She captured the Grade 2 Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf Stakes in September before finishing third in the Grade 1 First Lady Stakes at Keeneland in early October.
Her proven ability at the host venue offers encouragement, although the longer distance and strong opposition present another significant test.
Among her principal rivals are Blue Bolt, Precise and Lush Lips.
Nakatomi Seeks Sprint Glory for Qatar Racing
Veteran sprinter Nakatomi represents Qatar Racing in partnership with Mrs. Fitriani Hay in the Grade 1 Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint.
The seven-year-old contests the six-furlong dirt championship, worth $2 million, under Tyler Gaffalione for trainer Wesley Ward.
Drawn in post position nine, Nakatomi brings substantial experience to the contest, having finished third in the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Sprint and also competed in the 2024 and 2025 editions.
His credentials received a timely boost on October 2, when he captured the Grade 2 Phoenix Stakes at Keeneland for the second successive year.
With several victories already recorded at Keeneland, Nakatomi has valuable familiarity with the racing surface and surroundings.
However, he faces stiff competition from leading sprinters including Englishman and T O Elvis, making pace and positioning crucial to his chances.
Qatar’s Global Racing Presence
The involvement of Wathnan Racing and Qatar Racing across three Grade 1 championship races underlines the continued presence of Qatar-linked owners at the highest international level.
With Map of Stars competing over a mile and a half on turf, Bless the Broken tackling a demanding middle-distance grass contest, and Nakatomi seeking honours in a dirt sprint, the three runners highlight the breadth of Qatar’s racing interests.
“Mdmar” website for horse racing and equestrian News
The “Mdmar” website which was Founded by Khaled Makhlouf in 2007 for horse and equestrian races is keen to cover and follow all competitions related to horses, from show jumping, Horseracing, speed and endurance races, and purebred Arabian horse beauty shows, which belong to the Arab Gulf countries at home and abroad in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the State of Qatar, the State of Kuwait, the Sultanate of Oman, and the Kingdom of Bahrain.
