ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
The global tour of the 32nd UAE President's Cup for Purebred Arabian Horses reaches its climax on Friday as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia hosts the 17th and final international leg of the series at the King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Al Janadriyah.
Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, the event underscores the historic ties between the UAE and Saudi Arabia while celebrating the heritage of the Arabian horse.
Friday's feature race has drawn an elite field of 24 runners competing over 1,800 metres on dirt for a prize purse of 1.5 million Saudi riyals. Open to horses aged four and older, the contest is regarded as one of the most significant Arabian races in the region, attracting top stables and breeders.
The field is headlined by the highly fancied Najeeb Al Zaman, who carries a rating of 125. He will face stern opposition from a competitive lineup that includes Nadeem Al Molouk, rated 121, and Mutawakkil Al Khalidiyah, rated 118. Other notable contenders looking to make their mark include Anwar, Foudi Banih and Hasheem.
Matar Suhail Al Yabhouni Al Dhaheri, Chairman of the Higher Organizing Committee of the UAE President's Cup, highlighted the strategic importance of concluding the series in Riyadh.
"We commend the directives and support of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose visionary leadership has propelled the President's Cup to notable achievements across global racecourses," Al Yabhouni said. "The Saudi round reflects the deep-rooted brotherhood and historical ties between the two nations and their shared commitment to advancing Arab heritage traditions."
The Saudi leg of the President's Cup has a history of producing illustrious champions. Previous winners include Tullab Al Khalidiyah (2018), Sakhr Al Khalidiyah (2019), Badour Athbah (2020), Hamdani Khalid Al Khalidiyah (2021) and Taqdeer (2023). Last year, the title was claimed by Qaswarah Al Khalidiyah.