Did you know that people race Arabian horses just like they do Thoroughbreds? The world’s richest and most important race for purebred Arabians takes place in France, The Qatar Arabian World Cup.
The very first Qatar Arabian World Cup race took place 6 years ago, and the race has been run every October since then.
1. In what year was the first Qatar Arabian World Cup run?
The Arabian World Cup is open to purebred Arabian horses aged four years or older. It is run at Longchamp Racecourse over a distance of 10 furlongs.
Horse Talk – furlong: 1 furlong = 200m = 1/8 mile.
2. How long is the race in meters?
3. How long is the race in miles?
All four-year-old male horses are assigned a weight of 57½ kg. All male horses 5-years-old and older must carry 58 kg.
4. How much more weight do the older male horses have to carry?
The female horses carry less weight. They are given what is called an ‘allowance’ of 2 kg. This means 4-year-old female horses carry 2 kg less than four-year-old male horses and five-year-old female horses carry 2 kg less weight than 5-year-old male horses.
5. How much weight does a 4-year-old filly carry?
6. How much weight does a 5-year-old mare carry?
Number 8, Mushrae crosses the finish line first.
The first year the race was run, the winning horse was Lahib in a time of 2:16.00. The time is read as two minutes 16 seconds.
The next year, the winning horse was General. He won with a record making time of 2:11.20.
7. How would you read this time?
This year’s winner was Mushrae in a time of 2 minutes 17 and 36 hundredths of a second.
8. Write Mushrae’s winning time in number form.
Would you like to watch the race?
Arabian Horse Racing Answers
1. In what year was the first Qatar Arabian World Cup run?
Answer: 2008
2. How long is the race in meters?
Answer: 10 x 200 = 2,000. The race is 2,000 meters long.
3. How long is the race in miles?
Answer: 10 x 1/8 mile = 1 1/4 miles. The race is 1 1/4 miles long.
4. How much more weight do the older male horses have to carry?
Answer: 58 – 57 1/2 = 1/2. Older male horses must carry 1/2 kg more in weight.
5. How much weight does a 4-year-old filly carry?
Answer: 57 1/2 – 2 = 55 1/2. Four-year-old fillies carry 55 1/2 kg in weight.
6. How much weight does a 5-year-old mare carry?
Answer: 58 – 2 = 56. Five-year-old mares carry 56 kg in weight.
7. How would you read this time?
Answer: Two minutes 11 and 20 hundredths of a second.
8. Write Mushrae’s winning time in number form.
Answer: 2:17.36
Photos:
Pengalia – the winner by Anvisuals; CC BY 2.0
Brafor and Pengalia before the race. by Anvisuals; CC BY 2.0
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