Horseracing: Al Wakrah wins UAE President's Cup Series for Purebred Arabian Horses in Spain
MADRID (WAM)His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, continues to drive the global success of Purebred Arabian racing, as Al Wakrah, owned and bred by Al Shaqab Racing, triumphed in the Spanish leg of the UAE President's Cup Series for Purebred Arabian Horses.The race took place on Friday, August 15, 2025, at the historic San Sebastián Racecourse in the Basque region, forming the ninth stop of the 32nd edition of the prestigious cup.The Spanish round witnessed a remarkable turnout of over 12,000 spectators, further cementing the Cup's status as one of the most prestigious and globally recognised fixtures in the world of Arabian horse racing. The success reflects the directives and generous support of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose leadership has created a historic transformation in elevating purebred Arabian horses to the highest international platforms.Al Wakrah (TM Fred Texas x Majida by Majd Al Arab), a seven-year-old mare, delivered an exceptional performance under the training of Jean de Mieulle and the skilled ride of Olivier d'Andigné, securing victory in the €200,000 Group 3 race over 1,600 metres — the richest Arabian race ever staged in Spain.Racing with tactical patience, Al Wakrah remained behind the leaders until the final 400 metres before launching a decisive surge down the home straight, powering clear to claim the win in a time of 1:42.67 minutes. The victory marked her ninth career success, showcasing her class on an international stage.Finishing second was Lino (AF Albahar x Azza by Kerbela), while Extra Time (Valiant Boy x Sand Witchh by Burning Sand) secured third place, completing a high-quality contest that featured some of Europe's finest Arabian horses aged four years and above.The winners were crowned in the presence of Ibrahim Ali Al Nuaimi, Chargé d'Affaires at the UAE Embassy in Spain; Faisal Al Rahmani, General Secretary of the Higher Organising Committee of the UAE President's Cup Series; and Eneko Goia, Mayor of San Sebastián.Speaking on the occasion, Faisal Al Rahmani said: 'We are proud of the outstanding success of the Spanish debut of the UAE President's Cup, which achieved great results both in terms of the quality of participation and the impressive attendance of more than 12,000 spectators. This historic milestone reflects the vision and guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, aimed at positioning purebred Arabian horse racing among the world's premier international competitions.
"Spain's round has reinforced the Cup's role as a global attraction for the Arabian horse industry, driving development, sustainability, and the preservation of the breed's noble heritage, while enhancing its breeding and ownership worldwide.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Etihad
2 days ago
- Al Etihad
Horseracing: Al Wakrah wins UAE President's Cup Series for Purebred Arabian Horses in Spain
16 Aug 2025 12:37 MADRID (WAM)His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, continues to drive the global success of Purebred Arabian racing, as Al Wakrah, owned and bred by Al Shaqab Racing, triumphed in the Spanish leg of the UAE President's Cup Series for Purebred Arabian race took place on Friday, August 15, 2025, at the historic San Sebastián Racecourse in the Basque region, forming the ninth stop of the 32nd edition of the prestigious Spanish round witnessed a remarkable turnout of over 12,000 spectators, further cementing the Cup's status as one of the most prestigious and globally recognised fixtures in the world of Arabian horse racing. The success reflects the directives and generous support of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose leadership has created a historic transformation in elevating purebred Arabian horses to the highest international Wakrah (TM Fred Texas x Majida by Majd Al Arab), a seven-year-old mare, delivered an exceptional performance under the training of Jean de Mieulle and the skilled ride of Olivier d'Andigné, securing victory in the €200,000 Group 3 race over 1,600 metres — the richest Arabian race ever staged in with tactical patience, Al Wakrah remained behind the leaders until the final 400 metres before launching a decisive surge down the home straight, powering clear to claim the win in a time of 1:42.67 minutes. The victory marked her ninth career success, showcasing her class on an international second was Lino (AF Albahar x Azza by Kerbela), while Extra Time (Valiant Boy x Sand Witchh by Burning Sand) secured third place, completing a high-quality contest that featured some of Europe's finest Arabian horses aged four years and winners were crowned in the presence of Ibrahim Ali Al Nuaimi, Chargé d'Affaires at the UAE Embassy in Spain; Faisal Al Rahmani, General Secretary of the Higher Organising Committee of the UAE President's Cup Series; and Eneko Goia, Mayor of San Sebastiá on the occasion, Faisal Al Rahmani said: 'We are proud of the outstanding success of the Spanish debut of the UAE President's Cup, which achieved great results both in terms of the quality of participation and the impressive attendance of more than 12,000 spectators. This historic milestone reflects the vision and guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, aimed at positioning purebred Arabian horse racing among the world's premier international competitions. "Spain's round has reinforced the Cup's role as a global attraction for the Arabian horse industry, driving development, sustainability, and the preservation of the breed's noble heritage, while enhancing its breeding and ownership worldwide.'
Gulf Today
2 days ago
- Gulf Today
Barca will register new recruits ahead of La Liga opener: Flick
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick remains confident his club will register key players including new signings Joan Garcia and Marcus Rashford in time for Saturday's La Liga opener at Mallorca, despite ongoing financial fair play complications. The Spanish champions are still scrambling to register players due to La Liga's strict financial rules, having spent more on signings and wages than they have generated in revenue for multiple seasons. 'For me, the situation, you can imagine I'm not happy about that. But I know the situation and I believe in the club,' Flick told reporters on Friday. 'We have to wait till tomorrow. It was the same situation last season. 'We will focus on what we can change and what is in our hands. The other things, I believe in the club.' Barcelona signed goalkeeper Garcia from local rivals Espanyol in June while Wojciech Szczesny has signed an extension, but neither player has been registered yet. The club's registration headache has been partly resolved through some dramatic internal manoeuvring involving captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen. The German keeper initially refused to sign a long-term medical leave agreement that would clear 80% of his wages and help the club comply with financial rules. Sidelined for at least three months due to surgery, he was stripped of his captaincy before it was reinstated when he eventually agreed to the deal. 'I think the most important thing is that everyone speaks together. Marc and the club, they spoke,' Flick said. 'The most important thing for me, for Marc and the club is that he comes back. 'He's shown for many years here that he's a fantastic goalkeeper and the important thing is that he comes back and is ready to play. We'll all help him, we're all on his side.' The departure of 34-year-old defender Inigo Martinez to Saudi Arabia's Al-Nassr has also freed up crucial salary space, although Flick admitted mixed feelings about losing the veteran who was a mainstay in central defence. 'I was a little bit surprised but I could totally understand him. I'm not happy that he left, he's a fantastic player and has a great personality,' Flick said. 'He was one of our leaders, he was outstanding not only as a player but also a personality in the dressing room. He deserves this and I wish him all the best.' Despite the defensive reshuffle, Flick indicated he will not rush into the transfer market, backing the versatile 23-year-old Gerard Martin to step up. 'Gerard can also play in this position. From what I've seen, I really appreciate that. Last season, as a left back, he was fantastic and improved a lot,' he added. 'When he played as centre back, he was doing well. He's a good option. I like players who can play in different positions.' Garcia unconcerned: Barcelona goalkeeper Garcia says he is not worried about whether the club will be able to register him in the squad in time for their La Liga season opener this weekend. Barca paid 25 million euros to Espanyol to sign Garcia at the start of the summer, but financial fair play rules mean he has still not been registered with the first team for the new season. Although Barca is scrambling for time to include him in the squad, Garcia told the El Mundo Deportivo newspaper that he had been expecting the situation, reports Xinhua. 'When I signed, I already knew what was coming. I was already ready to face it, and I'm calm,' he said, insisting that 'everything will turn out well, and I have confidence in the club.' He explained that 'from a sporting perspective and for my future, I didn't have any doubts at all,' from a club whose fans have an intense dislike for their neighbours. 'Obviously, on the other side, coming from Espanyol, there are a few more doubts, but from a sporting perspective, I didn't have any,' he said. He said he 'understood,' the 'pain and disappointment' Espanyol fans could feel at seeing him cross the club, 'in the end, but it was the decision I had to make for myself, for my family, and for my future.' Agencies
Al Etihad
2 days ago
- Al Etihad
Nahyan bin Mubarak opens 31st Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival
16 Aug 2025 03:19 ABU DHABI (WAM) Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, inaugurated the 31st edition of the Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Sports Nahyan bin Mubarak, patron of the opening ceremony, launched the festival's first move through artificial intelligence, in the presence of Tarim Matar Muhammad Tarim, President of the UAE Chess Federation, and Hussein Abdullah Al Khouri, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Chess and Mind Games Club. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan reviewed the festival's activities and inspected the various competitions coinciding with the opening ceremony, marking the official launch of the tournament in a competitive atmosphere among participants from across the world.
