Chdia clinches UAE President’s Cup for Purebred Arabian Horses title in Hamburg

The UAE President’s Cup for Purebred Arabian Horses continued its brilliant run through Europe’s finest racecourses as Chdia claimed the title of the sixth leg, held on Sunday, at the Horner Rennbahn in Hamburg, Germany, as part of the historic 157th German Derby, one of European racing’s most celebrated annual occasions.

The Cup races are held with the support of the UAE leadership, whose commitment to developing Arabian horse racing and elevating the breed’s global standing has driven the 33rd edition to its most expansive and richest calendar in history.

The race was run over 1,600 metres on turf in the Group 2 category, open to Purebred Arabian horses aged four years and above.

A crowd exceeding 30,000 spectators filled the Hamburg-Horn track, bringing exceptional energy to what proved to be an exceptional afternoon for Arabian racing in Europe.

Chdia (by Al Mourtajez out of Rkaya), representing Wathnan Racing, delivered one of the performances of this Cup season. Trained by Alban de Mieulle and ridden by James Doyle — Wathnan Racing’s retained first jockey and one of Britain’s most decorated riders — the mare produced a controlled front-running display, surging clear in the final straight and holding off a sustained challenge from stablemate Haseef to win in a time of 1:54.66.

The victory was Chdia’s ninth win from 10 career starts — a record that places her among the elite of Purebred Arabian racing in Europe. Her trophy cabinet already includes the Qatar International Cup and the Qatar Golden Sword, both Group 1 honours.

The result also delivered a commanding 1-2 finish for Wathnan Racing, as Haseef (by Al Mourtajez out of Ghazwa), trained by Damien de Watrigant and ridden by Faleh Bughanaim, finished second.

It was a statement of strength from one of Europe’s most prominent Arabian racing operations, whose colours crossed the line first and second at one of the continent’s most prestigious racing weekends.

The race and the crowning of winners were attended by Ahmed Al Attar, UAE Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany, and Dr Peter Tschentscher, First Mayor of the City of Hamburg — alongside Faisal Al Rahmani, Secretary-General of the Higher Organising Committee of the UAE President’s Cup for Purebred Arabian Horses, and Ahmed Al Samarrai, President of the German Arabian Horse Federation.

The trophy was received by Mohammed Al Suwaidi, representative of Wathnan Racing, in a festive atmosphere that reflected the standing this Cup has built within Germany’s racing calendar.

With this victory, Chdia joins a distinguished roll of Germany leg champions: 2019 Mashhour Al Khalediah; 2020 Freddy Py; 2021 Lamat Shamal; 2022 Queenshala; 2023 Jabala; 2024 El Paso T; and 2025 HM Al Shaheen.

Matar Suhail Al Yabhouni Al Dhaheri, Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee of the UAE President’s Cup for Purebred Arabian Horses, said, “We take pride in the great success and distinguished resonance of the Germany leg, and the remarkable public turnout and wide engagement we witnessed in Hamburg — embodying the global standing the Prestigious Cup has reached.”

He added, “The Germany leg has once again confirmed the value and standing of the Prestigious Cup at the world’s most prominent international festivals and racetracks — with elite horses, studs, owners, trainers and jockeys participating, and with competitive levels that reflect the growth of Arabian horse racing and its expanding presence on the global stage.

“We also value the outstanding cooperation with our partners in Germany and their distinguished role in delivering an event worthy of the name and standing of the Prestigious Cup.”