32nd edition of UAE President's Cup for Purebred Arabian Horses kicks off Sunday in Tunisia
18 Apr 2025 22:55
TUNIS (WAM) Under the patronage and guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, the 32nd edition of the UAE President's Cup Series for Purebred Arabian Horses will commence on Sunday, April 20, at the Ksar Said racecourse in Tunisia.This season's prestigious Cup features a total prize pool exceeding Dh15 million, making it the most valuable series in the history of Arabian horse racing.This reflects the wise leadership's commitment to developing the sport, supporting owners and breeders worldwide, and preserving the rich legacy of the Arabian horse.The Tunisian leg of the race will host 15 top contenders from Tunisia and North Africa, aged four and above, competing in a Group 1 race over a 2000m dirt track. With a prize of TND 500,000, it stands as one of the most lucrative races in Tunisia's horse racing calendar.Leading the pack are Libyan horses Hatim (descendant of TM Fred Texas) and Lasvegas, alongside strong competitors such as Irak, Izmir, Jaloud Carthage, Joussour El Arab, Kaser, Khaddem, nafe'eh, Nar Shalgoda, Nahr Ennil, and Bosse de Salute.The Supreme Organising Committee of the UAE President's Cup Series had earlier announced the 2025 race calendar, which includes 17 races across Europe, the UK, Turkey, Arab countries, the USA, and Russia. The season opens in Tunisia on April 20, followed by Morocco, France, the USA, Italy, Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Russia, Belgium, Turkey, the UK, Poland, Egypt, Libya, and Saudi Arabia, each hosting prestigious and lucrative racing events.Faisal Al Rahmani, Secretary General of the UAE President's Cup Series for Purebred Arabian Horses, stated, "We anticipate an exceptional season filled with success, thanks to the generous support and new initiatives introduced under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed - the global revitaliser of the Arabian horse. His vision has positioned the Cup Series at the forefront of the global Arabian horse racing industry.'He added, "The newly implemented initiatives for the 2025 season reflect the prestigious standing of the UAE President's Cup and the leadership's dedication to furthering the presence of Arabian horses on the world stage. These efforts aim to support owners, breeders, and stables, encouraging them to raise the quality of production and develop top competitors each season.'
He also extended his gratitude to Tunisia for their extensive preparations in hosting the 32nd edition, noting the country's strong record in producing champions and its significant role in the Arab horseracing scene. He emphasised the strong interest and participation from horse owners in Tunisia and North Africa, indicating a promising and competitive start to the new season.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Etihad
12 hours ago
- Al Etihad
Hamdan bin Mohammed witnesses launch of ‘National Service Athlete Program'
9 June 2025 15:06 DUBAI (ALETIHAD)His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, on Monday witnessed the launch of the 'National Service Athlete Program', a joint initiative by the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of programme is designed to support elite Emirati athletes enlisted in national service by integrating them into tailored sports programmes. It enables them to continue their training and skill development during their service period and to participate in competitions that impact their international rankings or qualifications for major global launch was held at a special event organised by the Ministry of Sports in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence. The event was attended by Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports, and Mohamed bin Mubarak bin Fadhel Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Defence Affairs. During the event, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed met with recruits forming the programme's first Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed reaffirmed that supporting elite athletes is a national priority aligned with the UAE leadership's vision of empowering Emiratis across all sectors — including sports, which plays a pivotal role in shaping character and enhancing the nation's global profile by nurturing young national talent.'Athletes are our ambassadors on the global stage. We are committed to creating an environment that enables them to thrive. The integration of national service with athletic development strengthens the physical and mental capabilities of our youth, preparing them to be future leaders and guardians of our national achievements, while instilling discipline and dedication,' His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Highness added: 'The launch of the 'National Service Athlete Program' reflects a strong spirit of collaboration between government entities to support high-performing athletes, uncover new talent, and develop champions who will proudly represent the UAE. We believe physical readiness and competitive spirit are shared values between sports and national service. This programme lays the foundation for a long-term strategic pathway that advances our national vision."Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi said: 'This programme marks a significant step in developing national sports and supporting the physical readiness of our elite athletes during national service. It harnesses the combined strengths of both ministries to strengthen national identity and deliver on the strategic priority of building a healthy and active society.'He added: 'The programme directly contributes to the goals of the 'National Sports Strategy 2031', particularly in promoting physical activity among Emirati youth and enhancing their athletic and professional capabilities. It also supports the wider ambitions of 'We the UAE 2031' to empower our youth and ensure their ability to serve the nation with the highest level of commitment and excellence.'Commenting on the programme, Mohamed bin Mubarak bin Fadhel Al Mazrouei said: 'We are committed to channelling the potential of our youth into paths that benefit the country and enhance their overall readiness. The 'National Service Athlete Program' provides an enabling training environment for elite athletes to continue advancing in their sport while fulfilling their national duty.'He added: 'This initiative also allows us to identify new talent among national service recruits and support them through a flexible system that blends military discipline with athletic excellence. The programme prepares a new generation of well-rounded individuals ready to represent the UAE at the highest levels.'The programme marks a strategic milestone in mobilising national capabilities in service of the country. It aims to sustain and enhance the athletic performance of Emirati athletes during their service, while also enabling their participation in external competitions. Technical teams will conduct assessments and regular evaluations of selected recruits to identify emerging addition, the programme fosters collaboration to strengthen the performance of national service recruits and help uncover their full athletic potential. The inaugural cohort includes athletes who will represent the UAE in major upcoming events, most notably the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar 2026 and the Olympic Games in Los Angeles 2028, as well as a range of regional and international tournaments. Participants span diverse disciplines including fencing, equestrian, archery, athletics, and combat sports — demonstrating the UAE's commitment to cultivating talent across the full spectrum of programme is built on a robust framework of coordination between both ministries, covering the organisation of joint sports activities, athlete participation in tournaments, and workshops aimed at enhancing sports and fitness capabilities. It also supports knowledge exchange, logistical assistance, and joint efforts in developing technical and administrative expertise in sports coaching and related fields. A joint committee comprising representatives from the Ministry of Sports, the Ministry of Defence, and other relevant stakeholders will oversee the implementation of the programme's initiatives. The committee will meet regularly to monitor progress and ensure alignment with shared strategic goals.
Al Etihad
2 days ago
- Al Etihad
Farida P captures UAE President's Cup Title in Sweden
7 June 2025 16:15 STOCKHOLM (WAM) The mare Farida P secured a valuable victory by winning the UAE President's Cup for Purebred Arabian Horses at its sixth stop, held at Gardet Turf Racecourse in Stockholm on June 6, 2025. The race coincided with Sweden's National Day celebrations and attracted a large crowd of over 50,000 UAE President's Cup Series is held under the patronage and guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the UAE, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court. It supports a forward-looking vision for the development of Arabian horse racing, empowering owners and breeders worldwide, and promoting the breeding and ownership of Arabian horses to preserve their noble the conclusion of the Swedish leg—the sixth race on the calendar of the 32nd edition—the series continues to record remarkable success across European circuits. The UAE President's Cup has cemented its leadership and global identity among the world's premier equestrian events in Europe and America, confirming its strong presence in shaping a new era for Arabian horse P, descended from (Al Mourtajez x Hania Dea by Majd Al Arab), owned and trained by Pieter Dekkers and ridden by jockey Fabian Lefebvre, delivered a brilliant performance in the most valuable Arabian horse race in Scandinavian history. With a prize purse of 100,000 euros, the Listed race was run over 1,500 metres on turf and was open to horses aged four and above. It featured nine of the top Arabian horses from Sweden and P surged from behind with a powerful burst in the final stretch to take the lead and claim the title in spectacular fashion. Wissam Al Khalediah (Ghadanfer Al Khalediah x Shatha Al Khalediah), trained by Janusz Kozlowski and ridden by Per-Anders Graberg, secured second place. Gindor de Bozouls (Al Mourtajez x Oudjidor de Bozouls by Dormane), owned by Omar Jorjar, trained by Elizabeth Bernard Jean-François, and ridden by Mickael Forest, finished P completed the race in 1:38.08 minutes, raising her win tally to 13 victories, and securing her second UAE President's Cup title after winning the Dutch leg last race was attended by Faisal Al Rahmani, Secretary General of the Higher Organising Committee of the UAE President's Cup Series for Purebred Arabian Horses, Ahmed Al Mansouri, representative of the UAE Embassy in Sweden, Suhail Zbibi, Vice President of the Swedish Arabian Horse Association, and Saeed Al Muhairi, representative of the organising his statement, Musallam Al Amri, Member of the Higher Organizing Committee, said:'We are proud of the impressive success that the UAE President's Cup continues to achieve across European tracks. The Swedish race has been a prime example of this success and reflects the Cup's significance among Arabian horse owners and breeders around the world.' He added: 'We commend the success of the Swedish round, the strong participation from top Arabian stables across Sweden and Europe, and the exceptional turnout. We are also proud of the widespread positive response the UAE President's Cup continues to receive across European racecourses.'
Sharjah 24
6 days ago
- Sharjah 24
Dibba Al Hisn Football Club to return to the Professional League
The club emphasised that the grant constitutes a fundamental pillar in the development of sports infrastructure and achieving sustainability in building strong clubs capable of competing in various fields. In a press statement, the club confirmed that the grant reflects His Highness's commitment to supporting the sports sector and upgrading its facilities, which will contribute to strengthening the capabilities of clubs and developing the performance of teams, most notably the first football team. The club noted that the anticipated stadium will bring about a qualitative shift in the sports performance environment and provide an ideal platform for honing the skills of players and meeting the aspirations of fans. Constant source of inspiration His Excellency Mohammed Abdullah Rashid Al Tarban, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Dibba Al Hisn Football Club, praised the unlimited support that sports in the emirate receives from His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah. He noted that His Highness's continuous generosity represents a constant source of inspiration and motivation for athletes and reflects an integrated development vision based on empowering youth and elevating sports institutions to the highest levels. Al Tarban also expressed the club's great appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Executive Council; His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Salem Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Deputy Chairman of the Executive Council; and His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah. He commended their continued support, which has had the greatest impact in consolidating the institutional structure of the sports sector across the emirate. The Chairman of the Club's Board of Directors indicated that the 2024-2025 sports season marked a historic milestone in the journey of the first team, which competed in the ADNOC Professional League for the first time and succeeded in delivering outstanding performances that earned the respect and appreciation of the sports community, despite the significant challenges it faced throughout the tournament. Valuable lessons Al Tarban emphasised that the team's positive results, the players' heroic performance, and the tactical discipline on the field are all indicators of technical maturity and tangible development in collective performance. He pointed out that the team's failure to continue in the Professional League, despite competing until the final round, was due to circumstances beyond its control in some crucial matches. However, the experience remains a source of pride and valuable lessons upon which the team's future will be built. Al Tarban apologised to the club fans for the past, emphasising that the coming period will be a time of progress, continuity, and perseverance. Time for reorganisation In preparation for the new season, the club announced the implementation of a comprehensive plan to reorganise the team's ranks. This plan began with renewing confidence in Egyptian coach Captain Tarek El Sayed, who had previously successfully led the team in previous stages and demonstrated his technical skills and tactical ability to keep pace with the requirements of the First Division. New players Al Tarban explained that the club succeeded in retaining the most prominent foreign players who had contributed significantly during the previous season such as Medna, Alion, and Vitor, while also seeking to strengthen the team's ranks with new players who would contribute to creating a technical balance and preparing it to achieve its goal of returning to the Premier League. External training camps Al Tarban pointed out that the management is currently studying several options for holding an external training camp during the preparation period. The proposed destinations include Serbia, Turkey, and the Arab Republic of Egypt. The goal is to enhance the team's physical and technical readiness and build harmony among the team members before the start of official competitions. The club also extended its thanks and appreciation to His Excellency Issa Hilal Al Hazami, Chairman of the Sharjah Sports Council (SSC), for its continuous support of the first team and all the club's sports teams. He emphasised that this support has directly contributed to achieving numerous gains and has instilled confidence and motivation among the players and the technical and administrative staff. Back to the Professional League Concluding his statement, the Chairman of the Dibba Al Hisn Club Board of Directors emphasised that the club will continue to work with determination and resolve to return to the Professional League through an integrated administrative and technical system, a strategy based on investing in talent, and long-term planning. He noted that the dream has not stopped, and that the next season will be an opportunity to return to the top ranks, with the support of the fans, the solidarity of the city's residents, and the team's unwavering will to achieve the impossible.
