Al Zeer claimed a narrow victory in the Belgian leg of the UAE President’s Cup for Purebred Arabian Horses, winning in front of nearly 50,000 spectators at Waregem Racecourse.
Close finish in Waregem
The five-year-old stallion, owned by Mohammed bin Fahad Al Attiyah and trained by François Rohaut, won the 2,170-meter Group 3 race with a time of 2:24:01 minutes. Ridden by jockey Lukas Delozier, Al Zeer edged ahead in the final moments to beat 11 other elite contenders.
Joe Star, owned by Nasser Hilal Al Alawi and ridden by Mickael Forest, led the race into the final stretch but was overtaken in the closing strides. He finished second, while Nabucco Al Maury, ridden by Guillaume Guedj-Gay, secured third place.
The race, part of the 32nd edition of the UAE President’s Cup series, offered a total prize of €200,000. Dignitaries attending the event included H.E. Faisal Al Rahmani, Secretary General of the Higher Organizing Committee of the UAE President’s Cup Series; Khalid Al Qaidi, representative of the UAE Embassy in Belgium; and Nelly Philippo Herman, President of the Belgian Arabian Horse Association.
Strong global participation
“We are proud of the tremendous success of the Belgian leg, reflected in the exceptional attendance, fierce competition, and high level of participation from Europe’s leading stables and breeders. This underlines the Cup’s status as one of the world’s most prestigious and historic events for Purebred Arabian horses,” said Musallam Al Amri, Member of the Higher Organizing Committee of the UAE President’s Cup Series.
He added, “The guidance of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, continues to inspire us to elevate the profile of Arabian horses worldwide. We extend our congratulations to owner Mohammed bin Fahad Al Attiyah for Al Zeer’s remarkable victory in Belgium.”
The UAE President’s Cup Series aims to promote Purebred Arabian horses on international tracks while highlighting the UAE’s long-standing commitment to equestrian sports and heritage.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
