GCC Horse Racing Cup begins in Sharjah Saturday

Event overview

Organised by the Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club in collaboration with the Emirates Racing Authority, the fourth race of the Sharjah Longines Racecourse for the 2024/2025 season will take place at the Sharjah Longines Racecourse. The event is sponsored by Al Marwan Holding Group, Sharjah Sports Council, Sharjah Municipality, Al Bataeh Municipality, Sharjah Sports Channel, and Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority.

Strong participation from GCC countries

The race will see the participation of top Arabian horses from the UAE, Oman, and Qatar. This is the first time Qatar has joined the event, highlighting its growing importance in the region. Sheikh Abdullah bin Majid Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club, expressed pride in the participation of GCC countries, which emphasizes the race's regional significance and the unity it fosters among nations.

Enhancing the local Arabian horse industry

Sheikh Abdullah emphasized that the goal of the event is to elevate the status of local purebred Arabian horse production in the GCC countries. The race is set to become an annual highlight for elite Arabian horses from the Gulf.

A prestigious event with high expectations

His Excellency Sultan Mohammed Khalifa Al Yahyaei, Director General of the Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club, lauded the competition’s importance and the high quality of the horses participating. With many of the horses achieving significant success at both regional and global levels, this race promises to be a thrilling contest for the prestigious title. Sultan Al Yahyaei expressed his confidence that the event would feature intense competition and wished all participants the best of luck.

Races and prize details

The GCC Horse Racing Cup will include six exciting rounds, with a total of 93 horses competing and 12 horses on reserve. The total prize pool amounts to 400,000 dirhams, and the race will feature the following categories:

Round 1: Presented by Sharjah Municipality

• Category: Purebred Arabian horses, 3-year-old colts and geldings (beginners)
• Distance: 1200 meters
• Prize: Up to 40,000 dirhams
• Participants: 14 horses

Round 2: Presented by Al Bataeh Municipality

• Category: Purebred Arabian horses, 3-year-old fillies (beginners)
• Distance: 1200 meters
• Prize: Up to 40,000 dirhams
• Participants: 16 horses (4 reserves)

Round 3: Presented by Sharjah Sports Channel

• Category: Purebred Arabian horses, 3 years and older, locally produced in the UAE (beginners)
• Distance: 1700 meters
• Prize: 40,000 dirhams
• Participants: 16 horses (4 reserves)

Round 4: Presented by Sharjah Sports Council

• Category: Purebred Arabian horses, aged 4 years and older, born in the Emirates
• Distance: 1700 meters
• Prize: 40,000 dirhams
• Participants: 16 horses (4 reserves)

Round 5: GCC Cup, Presented by Al Marwan Holding Group

• Category: Purebred Arabian horses from GCC countries, aged 4 years and older
• Distance: 1700 meters
• Prize: 200,000 dirhams
• Participants: 16 horses from UAE, Oman, and Qatar

Round 6: Presented by Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority

• Category: Handicap round for purebred Arabian horses, 3 years and older
• Distance: 1200 meters
• Prize: Up to 40,000 dirhams
• Participants: 15 horses

The event promises to be a thrilling showcase of talent and competition, with elite horses from across the Gulf region competing for victory.