UAE President’s Cup showcases elite Purebred Arabians on Preakness Stakes

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the UAE, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, the fourth leg of the 32nd edition of the UAE President’s Cup Series for Purebred Arabian Horses will take place on Saturday at the historic Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland.

As part of Saturday’s action-packed Preakness programme, the Group 1 UAE President’s Cup will headline the evening line-up at 7:43 p.m. (Maryland time).

The race will be run over 1 1/16 miles (1700 meters) with a total prize purse of $200,000, and is open to Purebred Arabians aged four years and older. It has drawn a competitive field of elite horses, trainers, owners, and jockeys from across the US and the global Arabian racing community.

Rosebrook Farms LLC takes centre stage with two strong contenders: RB Motherload and RB Grand Slam. Both trained by Jerenesto Torrez and bred by the legendary Dianne K. Waldron, these horses carry the weight of expectation and legacy.

Rosebrook’s colours have graced the winner’s circle many times before, and with Torrez’s sharp eye and Waldron’s breeding genius, few would bet against them doing it again.

But hot on their heels is Rhonda Tuley, whose barn is brimming with talent. She enters the fray with AA Take A Chance, WMA Smoke Signal, and WMA Big Baby. Each brings its own story—AA Take A Chance, a Waldron-bred wildcard co-bred by Garrett Ford and owned by Annette Lindstrom, looks to surprise; while WMA Smoke Signal and WMA Big Baby, both bred and owned by Rita Deleon, are proof of the strength of in-house talent. Deleon and Tuley’s partnership has built a quiet storm that’s ready to shake up the field.

Then there’s Like Moulin Rouge, a one-man show from Ken Danyluk, who both bred and trains the horse. Independent and fiercely proud, Danyluk’s entry is less about numbers and more about heart. His horse may be the underdog, but in a field of polished pedigrees, sometimes grit is the edge.

Don’t overlook TM Purncess, bred by L. Todd Moak and another jewel in Rhonda Tuley’s triple threat. She’s been training steadily and could be the spoiler on race day.

And finally, Quick Rae AA, a family affair for Nicole and Andre Ruggeri. Bred by Joseph and Betty Gillis, this contender is the kind of personal project that inspires fans.

With Nicole handling training duties and ownership shared with Andre, this horse brings a sense of intimacy and underdog charm to the lineup.

Since its inception, the UAE President’s Cup (US edition) has been a showcase of elite Arabian racing talent, drawing top contenders from across the nation. Its past winners reflect the depth and evolution of the sport in the U.S., with repeat champions and breakout stars leaving their mark.

The UAE President’s Cup (USA edition) has crowned legends like Paddys Day, a three-time winner (2016, 2020, 2021). Quick And Rich (2017) and Quick Sand AA (2018) showcased the strength of the AA lines, while RB Texas Hold Em (2019) and RB Malexis (2024) delivered key wins for Rosebrook Farms. Rising stars like Hiab Al Zaman (2022) and Diamond Gem AA (2023) have kept the competition fierce as the race continues to shape Arabian racing history.

Faisal Al Rahmani, Secretary General of the UAE President’s Cup Series Organising Committee, commented: “The US race represents a key milestone in our annual calendar and reflects the ever-growing global reputation of the series. Being part of the 150th Preakness Stakes this year is a powerful testament to the stature of the UAE President’s Cup. This achievement would not be possible without the steadfast support of Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed, whose visionary leadership continues to elevate Arabian horse racing and preserve its noble heritage across the world.”