UAE President’s Cup’s most ambitious season set to kick off in Tunisia today

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, the 33rd edition of the UAE President’s Cup for Purebred Arabian Horses is set to commence on Sunday at the Ksar Said Racecourse in Tunisia.

This year marks the launch of the most ambitious, expansive, and richly endowed season in the tournament’s illustrious history, spanning over three decades and celebrating the heritage, elegance, and unparalleled excellence of Arabian horses.

Spanning nineteen international venues across four continents, the UAE President’s Cup will feature total prize money exceeding Dhs20 million, beginning its highly anticipated season right here in Tunisia.

The Tunisia leg marks the opening of a bold new season, heralding the largest and most far-reaching agenda in the illustrious history of the UAE President’s Cup.

Over the past three decades, the cup has evolved from a regional showcase into the most prestigious and celebrated Purebred Arabian horse racing series in the world. Now, with the 33rd edition, that ambition is made tangible not only in scope but in numbers — from record-breaking prize purses to an unparalleled international roster of competitors, this season sets a new benchmark for excellence, tradition, and global recognition in equestrian sport.

Opening at Ksar Said, 14 elite horses from leading Arabian racing stables across Tunisia and North Africa will contest a Group 1 race over 2,000 metres on a dirt track — a distance and surface that historically rewards both raw speed and racing intelligence.

Leading the field is Khaddam (by Muqatil Al Khalidiah out of Bint Sur) — a dominant force in the race’s recent history. Three starts at Ksar Said, three victories — 2022, 2023, and 2024. On this track, he is truly at home, and he returns with every reason to make it four in a row. The weight of expectation follows him through every gate, leaving rivals with a single question: has anything changed?.

Stepping into the race as last year’s champion is Nafe’eh (by Noresk Al Maury out of Menjadour), who turned Tunisia 2025 into a statement. The four-year-old defied the odds at last year’s opener, outrunning three pre-race favourites to cross the line two lengths clear. He arrives as the horse to beat, carrying the form of a proven winner on this very ground.

The full field of 14 horses competing in the Tunisia leg features a mix of seasoned champions and promising contenders.

Leading the lineup is Khaddam with Nafe’eh, the defending champion, along with Las Vegas, Buraq, Afjan, Mossan, Nimis, Monib Al Wajd, Arabi Ammar, Wa’ad Al Adiyat, Warfali, Maward, RB Boyfriend, and Gindor De Bozouls. Together, they form a competitive field brimming with talent, promise, and anticipation for what is set to be a thrilling race.

Through this edition, the President’s Cup continues to build on 33 years of accumulated success.

The UAE’s investment in Purebred Arabian racing has elevated the breed’s standing at the world’s most significant equestrian festivals, transforming the series from a regional competition into a genuine global platform. Owners, breeders, and racing communities across four continents are now part of the same conversation — one that started here, with one horse, one track, and one vision.

Matar Suhail Al Yabhouni Al Dhaheri, Chairman of the Higher Organizing Committee, said:

“The unwavering support of Sheikh Mansour has led to a qualitative leap in the journey of the President’s Cup. It has strengthened its presence at major global tracks, becoming a leading platform to support owners and breeders and elevating the status of the Purebred Arabian horse internationally.

“The Tunisia leg is more than an opening race. It is a declaration. The new agenda reflects where this series stands today — present on four continents, valued at over Dhs20 million, and still growing. That is the standard Sheikh Mansour has set, and it is the standard we intend to maintain,” he added.

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter