The UAE announces the details of the 33rd edition of… "President’s Cup for Arabian horses" 2026

ABU DHABI, 2nd April, 2018 (WAM) – With the support of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the UAE, Deputy Prime Minister, and Head of the Presidential Court, the Supreme Organizing Committee of the His Highness the President of the State Cup Series for Purebred Arabian Horses announced the details of the agenda for the 33rd edition of 2026, which includes 19 rounds in 4 continents around the world, and offers prizes worth 20 million dirhams to the winners.

The committee confirmed, in its statement today, that the new year’s edition will enhance the cup’s position as the most expensive and largest racing series for Arabian horses in history, after the impressive successes it achieved at the end of last season (32nd edition), which set record numbers, with 354 horses participating in the races, amid a public presence exceeding 400,000 spectators at the most prestigious international tracks, while the digital content of the series achieved wide spread with more than 500 million views, forming this The achievements provide a solid base from which the new version moves towards broader horizons.

In detail, the organizing committee confirmed that the agenda of the new season will include 19 international stations, starting in Tunisia on April 19, 2026, then moving to the United States at the ancient “Churchill Downs” track on April 30, followed by France on May 10.

The journey continues through Sweden on June 6, Italy on the 21st of the same month, the Kingdom of Morocco on June 28, then Germany on July 5, the Netherlands on the 26th of the same month, the United Kingdom at the “Newbury” station on August 14, Spain on August 15, then Belgium on September 1, Turkey on September 6, and Russia on September 12, and simultaneously with it, the second leg will be held in the United Kingdom at a track. Doncaster, then Poland on September 27, then moving to the Arab tracks with the new stop in Syria on October 9, then Libya on October 24, and Egypt on the 31 of the same month, arriving at the final stop in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on November 20.

This historic edition and the huge prizes represent an extension of the UAE’s mission to support and encourage owners and breeders, and to reinforce the approach established by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, “may God rest his soul,” in preserving the Arabian horse as a symbol of identity, culture and heritage.

Through its geographical expansion across four continents (Europe, America, Asia, and Africa), the series aims to provide a competitive environment that ensures the sustainability of this ancient sport.

His Excellency Matar Suhail Al Yabhouni Al Dhaheri, Chairman of the Supreme Organizing Committee, expressed his pride in the qualitative leap forward in the precious cup, and said that the support of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan made this cup a bridge linking the Emirates to the world, adding that the committee does not merely organize races, but rather develops a global strategy to support owners and raise the value of purebred Arabian horses on every continent, and reaching 19 stations is conclusive evidence of the UAE’s leadership.

For his part, His Excellency Faisal Al Rahmani, Secretary General of the Supreme Organizing Committee, appreciated the great support of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed (the innovator of the Arabian horse in the world), stressing that the selection of historic tracks such as “Long Champ”, “Churchill Downs”, “Newbury”, “Doncaster” and “San Siro” proves that the Cup has become the first strategic partner for the greatest international racing festivals.

He expressed pride in the racing series that bears a name dear to all of our hearts, pointing out that the 33rd edition will be the largest, as the new prizes and plans represent a qualitative leap that will take Arabian horse racing to unprecedented heights.

It is worth noting that the series of His Highness the President of the State Cup tours for purebred Arabian horses was launched in 1994 with the vision of the founder, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, “may God rest his soul,” to raise the profile of the Arabian horse globally.

Over the course of 33 years, and with the continuous support of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Cup has become the most prominent and prestigious event in the world, contributing to preserving this authentic heritage and enhancing the UAE’s pivotal role in global equestrian sports.

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