Jewels stolen from lavish exhibition of Qipco chief's private collection

What has already been a challenging week for one branch of the Al Thani family took another twist on Wednesday when thieves made off with a pair of exhibits on display at the world-famous Doge's Palace in Venice.

The Treasures of the Mughals and the Maharajahs exhibition has already visited New York, London and Paris and is drawn from the private collection of Qipco chief executive, Sheikh Hamad Bin Abdullah Al Thani.

The alarm was raised at the Palazzo Ducale at around 10am on Wednesday morning following the robbery of a brooch and a pair of earrings, described by officials as contemporary but still extremely valuable.

Sheikh Hamad is the elder brother of Sheikhs Fahad and Suhaim and is heavily involved in racing, both at a sponsorship level through Qipco, as well as through its ownership and breeding subsidiary, Qatar Racing.

Al Shaqab – the racing and bloodstock entity founded by Hamad's cousin, Sheikh Joaan Al Thani – has been in the headlines over recent days after revelations of late payments to a string of high-profile trainers.

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