ABU DHABI: Latakia Racecourse in the Syrian Arab Republic is scheduled to host the 16th leg of the 33rd UAE President’s Cup for Purebred Arabian Horses on Friday, Oct. 9, marking a historic first as the series is staged on Syrian soil for the very first time.
Staged with the support of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, vice president, deputy prime minister, and chairman of the presidential court, the cup races aim to develop the Arabian horse-racing industry, assist owners and breeders in acquiring and breeding the animals, and elevate the breed’s standing globally.
This leg forms part of the UAE–Syrian Festival, held Friday and Saturday at Latakia Racecourse, featuring a program of 15 races for Purebred Arabian horses—10 on the first day and five on the second. Within the agenda of the 33rd edition, the Syria leg holds particular significance as a new addition that extends the cup’s reach across the Arab region, continuing the mission of supporting Purebred Arabian horse racing and standing alongside local owners and studs.
The Syria leg includes 16 runners, among them Sanad Al-Aref, Victor Damascus, Mohib Al-Aref, and Awad Al-Khaled, in a meeting gathering horses with top performances in local racing. The full participant list features Sultan Al-Khatib, Habib Al-Kutub, Easar Al-Shabak, Ward Al-Kour, Baghdad Al-Shabak, Rami Al-Souriya, Shibl Al-Lagha, Al-Hajjaj H, Ward Al-Mahayni, Fahd Al-Kour, Zain Al-Waad, and Douma Al-Ezz.
Matar Suhail Al-Yabhouni Al-Dhaheri, chairman of the higher organizing committee of the cup, welcomed the expansion into Syria.
“This is an expression of the considerable support and wise direction of HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, and his sustained commitment to developing the Arabian horse-racing industry and supporting owners and breeders,” he said. He added that the new leg aims to “expand the scope of the cup’s races and to bring them to more racecourses,” providing “new opportunities that strengthen the development and sustainability of this industry.”
The UAE President’s Cup for Purebred Arabian Horses was founded in 1994 by the late Sheikh Zayed to elevate the standing of the animal worldwide.