23rd edition of Dubai International Arabian Horse Championship off to perfect start

The 23rd edition of the Dubai International Arabian Horse Championship kicked off at the Dubai World Trade Centre, further cementing the UAE's reputation as a premier global hub for equestrian excellence.

With 155 horses representing 12 nations, the opening day witnessed 18 horses secure their spots for the final championships, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion to this prestigious event.

The first day’s qualifying rounds featured 63 horses competing across four main classes. Some of these classes were further divided into Sections (A) and (B), resulting in a total of six groups. These included Yearling Fillies - Section A (Class 1A) with 13 participants, Yearling Fillies - Section B (Class 1B) featuring 12 entries, Fillies 2 Years Old (Class 2) with 11 contenders, Fillies 3 Years Old (Class 3) comprising 8 competitors, and Mares 4+ Years Old - Section A (Class 4A) with 10 horses. Additionally, Mares 4+ Years Old — Section B (Class 4B) also took part in the event.

From these, 18 horses earned their spot in the championship finals.

In the results of the preliminary rounds, the filly Balma O from Al Sharah Stud won first place in the first heat for yearling fillies (A), followed by Salah Al Remas owned by Mohamed Tariq Al Hassan in second, and E.S. Gidaa owned by Sheikh Abdullah Bin Majid Al Qasimi in third.

In the second qualifier for yearling fillies (B), Selene Al Badair owned by Sheikh Mohammed Saud Sultan Saqr Al Qasimi came in first, followed by Mawzen S.H owned by Nasser Misfer Al Hajri in second, and "Afkham Dalal" owned by Nayla Hayek in third.

In the qualifiers for the two-year-old fillies, Ajiba Al Badair owned by Sheikh Mohammed Saud Sultan Saqr Al Qasimi took the lead, followed by Sama Al Jazil from Al Jazil Stud in second, and Dee Niran from Dubai Arabian Horses Stud in third.

In the qualifiers for three-year-old fillies, Sidra Al Ghazali owned by Nayla Hayek secured first place, followed by Dee Nafais owned by the same owner in second, and Wujood Al Bahiyah from Ras Al Khaimah Stud in third.

In the fifth qualifier for mares aged 4 years and older (A), Shidan Yasser owned by Nayla Hayek won first place, followed by E.S. Salma owned by Sheikh Abdullah Bin Majid Al Qasimi in second, and Miral BD owned by Nayla Hayek in third.

As for the sixth qualifying round for mares aged 4 years and older (B), "A.J. Asay owned by Mohammed Sheikh Suleiman won first place, with Dee Shihana from Dubai Arabian Horses Stud in second, and Estonia owned by Yusuf Ahmed Abdul Latif Al Ali in third.

Ziad Galadari, Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee, noted that the wide international participation reflects the country's status as a secure and sophisticated destination for major sporting events. This success is underpinned by strategic leadership support aimed at preserving the cultural heritage of the Purebred Arabian horse while maintaining world-class standards.

He pointed out that the wide international participation reflects global trust in the UAE, both in terms of organizing and the safe and stable environment it offers.

He added that the continuous support from the wise leadership is the foundation of the championship's success, and the event's timely occurrence reflects a strategic vision to solidify the country's global position and enhance its role in supporting the equestrian sector and preserving the cultural heritage associated with purebred Arabian horses.

He explained that logistical efficiency contributed to the success of the preparations, including the management of horse transport, stable arrangements, and organizing the technical schedules according to the highest international standards to ensure the comfort of participants and smooth running of the competitions. He also highlighted that the organizing committee worked to attract the best horses in the world, with high specifications in line with the championship’s prestige and value.

Dr. Ghanem Al Hajri, Secretary-General of the UAE Equestrian Federation, emphasized that the championship is one of the world's premier competitions in terms of prize value and organizational level. He noted its distinction in providing the highest standards of comfort and well-being for the horses, in addition to the ongoing development of the organizational aspects.

He clarified that the championship’s professional and high-quality execution confirms that the UAE has vast experience in organizing major events, praising the organizing committee's efforts in presenting an exceptional edition and confirming the integration of roles among the entities concerned with the equestrian sector, which contributes to enhancing the UAE's global presence.

Khaled Al Jehani, of Al Shaqab, expressed his happiness with participating in the current edition, highlighting the warm reception and the quality of organization, which he described as a continuous development year after year.

He pointed out that the competitions in the first heats were strong due to the high level and increased number of horses participating compared to the previous edition.

He mentioned that the championship is characterized by a high level of organization and the quality of the participating horses, which contributed to the emergence of world-class champions, stressing that it is one of the most prominent events in the calendar of Arabian horse beauty competitions.

In the same context, Khaled Al Hammadi, Vice President of Operations at DXB Live at the Dubai World Trade Centre, confirmed that the specialized teams succeeded in transforming the exhibition halls into a complete competition arena within a very short period. He pointed out that the teams are distinguished by their speed and professionalism in executing the requirements of major sporting events, in line with the prestige of the event and enhancing the quality of its organization.

This technical precision ensures smooth competition and maintains the event's status as a leading fixture on the international calendar.

Experts and participants have praised the championship for its consistent evolution, citing it as one of the most prestigious global competitions. Ultimately, the event serves as a vital platform for showcasing elite equine talent while reinforcing Dubai’s role in fostering international sporting collaboration and professional excellence.