Post by : Badri Ariffin

This Thursday, Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, will host the UAE President’s Cup for Purebred Arabian Horses, coinciding with the prominent Kentucky Derby, a hallmark in the world of horse racing.

This race series aims to enhance the visibility of Arabian horse racing, uphold its presence on leading international venues, and celebrate the rich culture of Purebred Arabian horses. It aligns with the UAE’s vision to elevate Arabian equestrian traditions globally.

Founded in 1875, Churchill Downs serves as an illustrious venue for this elite competition. The event caters to horses aged four years and up, drawing prominent stables, esteemed horses, and acclaimed jockeys, trainers, and owners.

Set over a distance of 2,000 meters, this Grade I race boasts a lucrative prize purse of $400,000—the highest in the U.S. for Arabian racing. Notably, this marks the eighth occasion that Churchill Downs welcomes this prestigious global series.

Co-locating the race with the historic Kentucky Derby, the first leg of the Triple Crown, provides significant international exposure for these Arabian horses, allowing them to compete in front of extensive crowds and to attract substantial media coverage.

Nine elite Arabian competitors are slated to race, including the reigning champion Diamond Gem AA, who seeks a third title, aiming to tie the all-time victory record. He will be ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. and trained by Jeresto Torrez.

Other noteworthy entrants are WMA Wild Kisses, AA Take A Chance, Highh Stakes, Highh Country, RB Badonkadonk, WMA Grand Finale, WMA Smoke Signal, and Quick Rae AA.

Ruggeri Stables is set to participate with a strong lineup featuring AA Take A Chance, Highh Country, and Quick Rae AA, intensifying the competition.

Past champions in this American leg include Paddys Day, who holds the record with three victories (2016, 2020, 2021) and other notable winners like Quick And Rich, Quick Sand AA, RB Texas Hold Em, Hiab Al Zaman, Diamond Gem AA, and RB Money Maker.

Matar Suhail Al Yabhouni Al Dhaheri, Chairman of the organizing committee, remarked that hosting this event at Churchill Downs during the Kentucky Derby represents a significant milestone. He emphasized its role in promoting the UAE President’s Cup and Arabian horse racing on a global scale.

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