Today's Edition
Ajman (Aletihad)
The Global Champions Arabians Tour's second season kicked off in style at the picturesque Al Zorah waterfront arena, captivating the crowds with breathtakingly beautiful Arabian horses competing for top honours at the first tournament of 2025 over four days.
With a packed grandstand, including royal visitors from across the GCC, over 150 horses competedfor an early lead in this eight-part Europe and the Middle East series.
D Seraj, owned by the UAE's Dubai Arabian Horse Stud, was crowned the Gold Senior Stallion champion, following a jaw-dropping display which featured magical equestrian theatrics, traditional Emirati dancers, and an incredible drone show and firework display.
The competition in Ajman was intense, with multiple reigning and former world champions taking to the arena in a bid to earn their first points of the season, which boasts an overall prize fund of over €24 million (Dh91mn) across both the Europe and Middle East and the Americas series, and the World Arabian Horse Championship Supreme.
"The quality of horses at this first stage in Ajman has been very impressive," remarked Sheikh Mohammed bin Nasser Al Thani, Deputy CEO of Global Champions Arabians Tour. "It's very early to make any predictions on the Horse of the Tour, as we still have seven more stages to go, but it would not be surprising to see one of the Champions from the Ajman stage at the top of the leaderboard at the final stage in Prague this September."
SQ Ghandoura, an exquisite chestnut yearling filly sired by SQ Sager took the first gold of 2025 for Switzerland's Hanaya Stud, owned by Nayla Hayek. With Frank Sponle at the end of the lead, she takes 20 points and a €50,000 prize.
D Neeran took the silver title for Dubai Arabian Horse Stud, whilst AJ Sindala secured bronze for Ajman Stud. Yearling colt Sharar Almenhal clinched gold for Emirati breeder Fahed Zaabi, having won his class on the first day with 91.79 points, expertly handled by Wynand Gerhard Bouwer.
Silver went to Federico Jose Morales' FAM Vortex, and D Mazyoon followed with a bronze title for Dubai Arabian Horse Stud. In the Junior Fillies Championship, Al Shaqab Stud's Shahalel Al Shaqab stole the hearts of the judging panel to take gold for the Qatar-based farm.
This former world champion filly beat Dubai Arabian Horse Stud's D Rowa to the silver medal, whilst Albidayer Stud's Aseelah Albidayer followed in bronze.
As for the Junior Colts, Sharjah's Albidayer Stud claimed gold with 2-year-old Azzaam Al Amal, a refined grey colt bred in South Africa. D Hayel took silver for Qatar's Al Thamer Stud, and D Shakar, who finished third in the overall rankings during the first season of GCAT followed in the bronze medal position.
D Beisan started the new season on a high note, taking gold in the Senior Mare Championships for owners Al Shaqab Stud of Qatar, with new handler Arnauld Mertens. Sired by D Seraj, D Beisan tied for the highest-scoring horse of the Ajman stage with a class win on 93.14. Silver went to Ajman Stud's Al Aryam Banafsaj, and bronze to Al Zobair Stud's El Esmera.
Senior Stallion D Seraj, sire of the gold champion mare, wowed the judges with his impressive type to take the gold, whilst Qatar's Almirqab Farm's Amaar took silver with Giacomo Capacci. Bronze went to Hleetan Qatar Stud's Berlin MP, bred in the USA by Mindy Peters.
After the first stage, last year's Handler of the Year Paolo Capecci sits at the top of the leaderboard with 54 points, with Arnauld Mertens closely behind with 52 points and Raphael Curti in third spot with 50 points.
The Tour now moves to Doha for the second stage of the Europe and Middle East series, which will take place from February 5-8, and followed by the Americas series with the first one in Scottsdale on February 18 and 20.
