Royal Cavalry claims victory at Bordeaux Racecourse
Guided by experienced jockey Michael Forest and trained by renowned French trainer Elisabeth Bernard, 'Al Rasha' delivered a commanding performance, surging ahead in the final stages of the race to secure a decisive win. The victory was met with widespread acclaim from equestrian observers and experts who praised the mare's power, poise, and well-executed race strategy.
This race formed part of an esteemed international series organised under the umbrella of the European Horse Racing Association in cooperation with French equestrian authorities. The 2025 edition of the event featured strong representation from leading countries in Arabian horse breeding and racing, including France, United Kingdom, Spain, Belgium and Gulf nations such as Oman, Saudi Arabia and UAE.
'Al Rasha' crosses the finish line
Bordeaux Racecourse is recognised as one of France's premier flat-racing venues, making 'Al Rasha' triumph a significant milestone for the Royal Cavalry and a highlight in Oman's international sporting calendar.
'Al Rasha' win adds to the growing list of international successes for the Royal Cavalry, showcasing the excellence of Omani-bred Arabian horses and the investment made in nurturing top-class equestrian talent. Trainer Elisabeth Bernard expressed her satisfaction with the outcome, noting the horse's maturity and adaptability on the track.
Jockey Michael Forest also commended 'Al Rasha' responsiveness and strong finish, emphasising that showed exceptional character in a field filled with high-calibre competitors.
The victory reflects the Royal Cavalry's strategic focus on elevating Oman's profile in global equestrian sport and underlines the Sultanate of Oman's ongoing commitment to preserving and promoting the heritage of purebred Arabian horses on the world stage.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Muscat Daily
11 hours ago
- Muscat Daily
Oman's Children Culture Centre expands digital projects
Muscat – The Children Culture Centre, under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, is expanding its digital initiatives aimed at developing children's creativity and digital awareness while strengthening their connection to Omani cultural heritage. Salwa bint Saif al Rashidi, director of the centre, said, 'The goal of these projects goes beyond visual presentation or technical entertainment. Rather, it aims to build a sustainable cognitive relationship between children and their cultural identity by re-presenting Omani heritage as a living, interactive experience.' The centre's 2024 activities reached 35,603 beneficiaries, increasing to 39,383 from January to July this year. These initiatives combine culture, education and technology, using tools such as virtual reality (VR), artificial intelligence (AI), and electronic gaming to engage children. 'These projects are deeply aligned with Oman Vision 2040 and the cultural strategy, focusing on national identity, digital transformation and innovation-based education,' Salwa explained. The centre aims to empower children to contribute actively to the nation's future. Among its digital projects are interactive games like 'Amber' and 'The Hunter', designed to preserve Omani cultural heritage and develop children's creative thinking and problem-solving skills in an engaging manner. The project 'The Palm Tree and its Associated Practices: An Interactive Story of Date Harvesting (Al-Kharf)' employs VR to introduce children to the cultural and agricultural significance of the palm tree, which is recognised on Unesco's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Another key initiative is the 'Interactive Camel Racing Experience', which uses VR technology to simulate camel racing, a traditional sport. The project raises awareness of Oman's sporting heritage while providing a safe environment for users to experience the race. The centre has also launched the 'Smart Children's Culture Center' project, incorporating AI, data analysis and remote control technologies. This environmentally friendly model supports Oman's digital transformation and highlights childhood as central to building a knowledge-based, technological future. More digital projects are planned for release throughout the year. Salwa emphasised the centre's role in presenting culture and education in ways that resonate with younger generations.
Observer
12 hours ago
- Observer
Registration open for 14th edition of Musannah Race Week
MUSCAT: Registration is now open for the 14th edition of Musannah Race Week, presented by Asyad. To be held from October 15-21, 2025, at Barcelo Musannah Resort, the event will bring together over 100 sailors from around the world for a week of coaching, camaraderie and competition in Optimist, ILCA 4, ILCA 6, ILCA 7, Hansa 303 and the inclusive RS Venture Connect class. The Musannah Sailing School, operated by Oman Sail, has been designated a Category A High Performance Centre by the Asian Sailing Federation (ASAF), and is also the base for Oman's national sailing teams, giving the young sailors the chance to experience international standard facilities as they take the next step on their journey in sailing. Conditions in Musannah are also expected to be ideal for sailing once again this year to give some of the region's top sailing talent the perfect platform to showcase their skills. During the event, Oman Sail coaches will also hold daily community 'Try Sailing' sessions to introduce people from the local community to the sport and experience the feeling of being on the water with a qualified instructor. The initiative aims to inspire the next generation of Omani sailors and show how accessible sailing can be at Oman Sail's Musannah Sailing School, based at Barcelo Musannah Resort. Abdulaziz al Shiedi, Acting Sailing Director at Oman Sail, said, 'The standard of sailing [within the region] is improving year on year, so we are excited to welcome a high calibre of athletes, along with their coaches and families, to Al Musannah in October for a week of racing, learning and mutual understanding. Shaima al Asmi The event promises to be a celebration of the sport as well as a chance for young sailors to interact, grow as athletes and individuals, and gain experience in the high level regatta environment – all in the spirit of friendship and sportsmanship.' Shaima al Asmi, Oman Sail's Operations Executive and Musannah Race Week Project Manager, added, 'Musannah Race Week has always been known as a festival of sailing that goes beyond racing to promote friendship, inclusion and mutual understanding. This year marks the 14th edition of the event, which is an undeniable success story for sailing in Oman and Oman Sail, and we are looking forward to welcoming the next generation of sailing stars to our shores for another wonderful week on the water.' Competition at Musannah Race Week will begin after three practice days, where 12 races in each class - no more than three per day – will decide the winners. Prizes will be awarded for the overall top three in each class, as well as the Junior top three for sailors under the age of 12, and the girls top three, as well as the overall Team Racing competition. Oman Sail and the Barcelo Musannah Resort will also host a BBQ night for all sailors, staff and families to offer a unique opportunity to experience authentic Omani hospitality and get to know each other in the idyllic surroundings of the resort. The 2024 edition of Musannah Race Week achieved Gold Clean Regatta Certification from Clean Regattas, the world's leading sustainability certification, in recognition of Oman Sail's commitment to preserving the environment during the event. Initiatives including a beach clean-up, waste reduction measures on-site, a recycling programme and the elimination of single-use plastics underlined the potential for sailing to be a clean sport. Similar initiatives will be in place this year, including a beach clean-up during the event days. Musannah Race Week 2025 is supported by presenting partner Asyad and venue partner Barcelo Musannah Resort. AbdulAziz al Shiedi
Observer
12 hours ago
- Observer
Al Nahda clubbed with Al Rayyan, Al Shabab and Hadhramout
MUSCAT, AUG 11 Oman's Al Nahda are clubbed alongside Al Rayyan (Qatar), Al Shabab (Saudi Arabia), and Tadhamon Hadhramout Club (Yemen) in Group B of 2025-26 AGCFF Gulf Cup Champions League. The draw was organised by the Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation (AGCFF) on Monday in Doha, Qatar. Group A comprised Zakho Club (Iraq), Al Ain (UAE), Sitra Club (Bahrain) and Al Qadsia Club (Kuwait). The official group draw will mark the much-anticipated return of the prestigious Gulf club competition following a long absence from the regional football calendar. The championship, which is scheduled to kick off in October 2025 and conclude in April 2026, will feature eight elite clubs nominated by their respective national football associations of the GCC member states. The participating teams are divided into two groups of four, with the top two from each group advancing to the semifinals. Al Nahda, recently crowned champions of the four-team friendly tournament in Salalah, following their win over Oman Olympic team in the final clash by 4-3 in penalties after the regulation time ended at 1-1 draw. They will hope to deliver top performance in the Gulf League and eye a spot in the semifinals despite the expected tough challenge. For the Al Buraimi-based club, this campaign will present a significant opportunity to make an impact against some of the region's most respected clubs. With their strong domestic record and competitive spirit, the Omani side will be aiming to advance deep into the tournament and add a new chapter to the Sultanate's football success story. The AGCFF Gulf Cup Champions League will also serve as an important platform for strengthening football competitiveness among Gulf clubs, fostering technical exchange, and contributing to the professional growth of football in the region. It also offers an opportunity for clubs to showcase their tactical skills, teamwork and football heritage on a prestigious regional stage. Shabab Al Ahli (UAE) has won the title three times, alongside Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli and Al Ittifaq. The last edition saw Iraq's Duhok Club crowned champions after defeating Kuwait's Al Qadsia Club in a thrilling two-legged final, sealing the win with a dramatic 2-1 result in the second leg.
