Seeh Al Salam Challenge to kick off new season of Dubai Endurance City

The much-anticipated 2025-2026 Dubai International Endurance City season gets underway with the Seeh Al Salam Endurance Challenge on Friday, with all of the top teams looking to create an early impact.

In what promises to be an exciting double header of endurance racing, Saturday will mark the first of the Private Stables rides with the prestigious Al Wasl Endurance Cup taking centre stage. The event will see riders testing their skill, stamina, and partnership with their horses over a challenging 101-kilometre course.

This comes ahead of the Seeh Al Salam Endurance Challenge, another major fixture on the calendar, which will cover an even more demanding 120 kilometres. Both rides are expected to attract strong participation from leading stables and riders, showcasing the depth of talent and passion that define the UAE’s thriving endurance scene.

The new endurance season is set to be a spectacular one, headlined by two of the most prestigious events on the calendar — the HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Festival and the Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Festival.

Both festivals stand as cornerstones of the UAE’s endurance calendar, drawing elite riders, top-tier stables, and equestrian enthusiasts from around the world.

The HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Festival is renowned for its grandeur, competitive spirit, and its celebration of the endurance community’s heritage and excellence. It serves as a fitting tribute to the visionary leadership that has elevated endurance riding to global prominence.

Meanwhile, the Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Festival continues to highlight the future of the sport, offering a stage for both established and emerging riders to showcase their talent and dedication. Together, these festivals not only underscore Dubai’s commitment to equestrian excellence but also reinforce its position as a world leader in the sport of endurance riding.

The HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Festival, from January 6-10, 2026, honours the riding achievements of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, while the Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Cup, from 23-27 March, 2026, celebrates the accomplishments of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai. The near six-month long season concludes with the Endurance Trainers Cup on April 4, 2026.

This year’s season features a comprehensive calendar of quality local and international races, courses developed to the highest standards, and a fully integrated veterinary and organisational system within DIEC’s facilities.

Commenting on the start of the season, Sheikh Rashed Bin Dalmook Bin Juma Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Dubai Equestrian Club, affirmed that the endurance season in Dubai is crucial to the international equestrian calendar.

He noted that the continuous support of Sheikh Mohammed and Sheikh Hamdan have played a pivotal role in establishing Dubai’s leading position in organising and hosting endurance championships.

Sheikh Rashed added that the new season focused on enhancing the competitiveness of the races and developing the organisational experience to better serve riders, participants, and spectators.

Ahmed Al Kaabi, General Manager of Dubai Equestrian Club, explained that preparations for the season are complete and include the rehabilitation of competition tracks and grading systems, the development of veterinary clinics and cooling stations, and the upgrading of timing and digital tracking systems to ensure the highest levels of accuracy and safety.