Wathnan Racing’s Haseef gallops to glory at UAE President’s Cup in Warsaw

Haseef, carrying the silks of Wathnan Racing, was crowned champion of the UAE President’s Cup Series for Purebred Arabian Horses in its Polish round, which formed the 14th and concluding European leg, held as part of the Central European Derby at Sluzewiec Racecourse in Warsaw on Sunday.

The prestigious Cup reaffirmed its global standing as the curtain fell on the European rounds of its 32nd edition, which featured 11 major legs across France, Italy, Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, Turkey, Britain, Russia, and finally Poland, where an impressive crowd of 20,000 spectators was in attendance.

The UAE President’s Cup Series enjoys the support and patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the UAE, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, in confirmation of the plans to elevate the stature of the Arabian horse across the world, and to encourage its ownership and breeding through a developed racing industry that supports owners and breeders and enhances the presence of the Arabian horse in the most prestigious international races.

The colt Haseef (Al Mourtajez × Ghazwa by Zawam), trained by Damien de Watrigant and ridden by jockey Faleh Bughenaim, claimed a well-deserved victory with a brilliant performance in the 2000m turf race (Group 3). The prestigious contest featured 15 horses from leading studs across Europe and Poland. With a prize fund of €200,000 — the richest in the history of Arabian horse racing in Poland — the race marked a historic milestone for the sport.

Throughout the race, Haseef showed remarkable composure, settling just behind the front-runners and conserving his energy for the decisive stages. As the field entered the final turn, the colt shifted gears, displaying both power and class as he stormed down the home stretch to sweep past his rivals and claim a commanding victory.

The runner-up honours went to the colt Katrin de Ghazal (Gazwan × Karabosse de Ghazal by Munjiz), owned by Hilal Al Alawi, expertly prepared by trainer Elizabeth Bernard Jean-François, and guided by jockey Michael Forest. In third place was Power Bolt (Al Mourtajez × Oleya du Loup by Kerbella), representing owner Rafal Płatk, under the care of trainer Van den Bos Catherine, and partnered by jockey J. Marien. Completing the 2000m turf test in an impressive time of 2:12.80 minutes, Haseef not only underlined his class but also reaffirmed his place among the elite of Arabian horse racing.

The race was attended by Prince Jan Lubomirski-Lanckoronski, Honorary President of Sluzewiec Racecourse; Mohammed Ahmed Al Harbi, UAE Ambassador to Poland; Faisal Al Rahmani, General Secretary of the Higher Organizing Committee of the UAE President’s Cup Series for Purebred Arabian Horses; alongside Mohammed Al Suwaidi representing Wathnan Racing, in addition to the trainer and jockey.

For his part, Matar Suhail Al Yabhouni Al Dhaheri, Chairman of the Higher Organizing Committee of the UAE President’s Cup Series for Purebred Arabian Horses, said: “We extend our highest thanks and appreciation to Sheikh Mansour for his continuous patronage of the prestigious cup series, which has established its position at the highest global levels thanks to his vision.

“We also take pride in the great success of the Poland leg, which concluded the European calendar for 2025 in the best way, and we are proud of the large public attendance of 20,000 spectators, extending our gratitude to the management of Sluzewiec Racecourse for their distinguished organisational efforts,” he added.