Nafe'eh clinches UAE President's Cup in Tunisia
The 32nd edition of the UAE President's Cup Series for Purebred Arabian Horses kicked off with grandeur amid fierce competition in Tunisia on Sunday as Nafe'eh emerged victorious in the opening leg at the Kasr Al Saied racecourse near Tunis.The event, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, forms a cornerstone of the UAE's strategic commitment to promoting the legacy and excellence of Arabian horse racing on a global scale.Defying the odds in a dramatic Group 1 showdown, Nafe'eh outpaced a field of 15 elite contenders, stealing the spotlight from a trio of pre-race favourites – Hatim, Las Vegas and Khaddem. The four-year-old stallion – sired by Noresk Al Maury out of Menjadour – delivered a commanding performance, completing the 2,000-metre course in 2:23.03 and finishing two lengths ahead of Las Vegas.Owned by Khaled ben Othman, trained by Aymen Jaberi, and skillfully ridden by jockey Jose Santiago, Nafe'eh secured a significant milestone in what was a history-making race. With a record prize of 500,000 Tunisian dinars – the largest purse in Tunisia's equestrian history – the opening round reaffirmed the Cup's international prestige and growing regional impact.With a total prize pool of more than Dh15 million, this season's prizes are the largest and most valuable in the history of Arabian horse racing. The new season's schedule includes 17 races across 11 European venues, including Russia and Turkiye, along with five Arab venues and one in the US.The opening ceremony and race were attended by dignitaries such as Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy; Ezzeddine ben Cheikh, Tunisian Minister of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries; Dr. Eman Al Salami, UAE Ambassador to Tunisia; and Faisal Al Rahmani, Secretary-General of the Higher Organising Committee for the UAE President's Cup Series.Dr. Al Salami hailed the event's success: 'We are proud of the remarkable success of this opening round, which beautifully reflected the UAE's cultural heritage and was warmly received by the Tunisian public and diplomatic guests. 'The accompanying festivities also showcased Tunisia's rich culture and traditions. Each year, this Cup brings tremendous value to Tunisia, and this year's edition has seen even more growth and recognition. The President's Cup reflects a powerful image of soft diplomacy and strengthens bonds of friendship.'Echoing that sentiment, the organising committee's Al Rahmani emphasised the broader vision behind the event: 'The vision of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan has led to unprecedented global advancements in Arabian horse racing. We take pride in the strong start and remarkable turnout for this year's edition.'
With Nafe'eh's stunning win setting the tone, the 32nd UAE President's Cup Series is poised for a landmark season.
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