ABU DHABI, UAE, Dec. 18, 2025 — The grand finale of the 33rd UAE President Cup for Arabian Purebred Horses was attended by His Excellency Sheikh Khalifa bin Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Presidential Court, and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.
His Excellency presented the trophy for the seventh and final race, the HH The President Cup for Arabian Purebred Horses (Group 1), which was the night’s most valuable event with an AED 8 million prize. The prestigious title was won by HM Alchahine, from The National Stables, trained by Hilal and Tahnoon Al Alawi, and ridden by Italian jockey Cristian Demuro, who completed the 2,200-metre course in 2:23.55 minutes.
During the event, His Excellency emphasized that the UAE President Cup reflects the leadership’s steadfast dedication to safeguarding the country’s rich equestrian legacy. He also lauded the event for strengthening Abu Dhabi’s status as an international center for Arabian horse racing and for drawing top-tier international competitors. Furthermore, he recognized the event’s ongoing role in bolstering the equine industry and ensuring the preservation of this authentic heritage for generations to come.
Prior to the main event, Dark Trooper, owned by Wathnan Racing, trained by Alban de Mieulle, and ridden by Christophe Soumillon, won the HH The President Cup for Thoroughbreds, an AED 1 million race over 1,400 metres, with a time of 1:21.89 minutes.
The race card included seven exciting contests, complemented by impressive drone shows and a performance of the operetta ‘Zayed’s Dream, An Everlasting Dream’. With total prize money of AED 10.8 million, the event attracted a significant audience of racing enthusiasts and VIPs.
Samaa Al Ezz, owned by Yas Racing, trained by Ibrahim Al Hadrami, and ridden by Ray Dawson, won the opening race, the Abu Dhabi Turf Club Conditions race for fillies and mares over 2,200 metres. The AED 150,000 race was completed in 2:27.10 minutes.
A key moment of the night occurred in the second race, where Rasasi, from Al Rahmani Racing, trained by Ahmed Al Muhairbi, and ridden by Richard Mullen, set a new track record in the Yas Sprint for Arabian Purebreds (Group 3). The horse won the AED 400,000 race over 1,200 metres in 1:15.32 minutes.
Turquoise, owned by Al Ajban Stables, trained by Abdullah Al Hammadi, and ridden by Andrew Slattery, secured victory in the third race, the Al Wathba Mile (Conditions). The AED 350,000 race over 1,600 metres was won in 1:42.59 minutes.
In the fourth race, Al Laith, owned by Leith Racing, trained by Ahmed Al Muhairbi, and ridden by Richard Mullen, earned a second win for the team by taking the UAE Breeders’ Cup for Arabian Purebreds (turf-bred). The 1,600-metre race, worth AED 500,000, was finished in 1:43.84 minutes.
The fifth race featured a dominant performance by Haseef, owned by Wathnan Racing, trained by Damien Watrigant, and ridden by James Doyle, to win the Abu Dhabi Derby (Listed). The AED 400,000 race over 2,200 metres was completed in 2:25.75 minutes.
Also present at the evening were His Excellency Sheikh Zayed bin Hamad bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, Vice Chairman of the Emirates Arabian Horse Society; Sheikh Ahmed bin Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE Sailing and Rowing Federation; and Sheikh Khalifa bin Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Wajib Volunteer Association.
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