The hague: The 33rd edition of the UAE President's Cup for Purebred Arabian Horses continues tomorrow, Sunday, 26 July, with the seventh leg staged at the Duindigt Turf Racecourse in The Hague, Kingdom of the Netherlands. This marks another European appearance for the prestigious cup within its expansive global calendar.
According to Emirates News Agency, the Cup series continues to receive sustained interest and patronage from the UAE's wise leadership. This support is aimed at assisting owners and breeders worldwide and encouraging the acquisition and breeding of Arabian horses. The commitment helps preserve the breed's authentic heritage, elevates its international standing, and strengthens its presence at significant racecourses and festivals worldwide.
The Netherlands leg will feature 11 horses representing elite studs and stables from the Netherlands and across Europe. The race will be run over 2,150 meters on turf in the Group 3 category, open to Purebred Arabian horses aged four years and above, with competition set to begin at 3:00 p.m. The Hague time.
All eyes will be on Al Zeer, owned by Omar Ismail Garghar, trained by Fran§ois Rohaut, and ridden by jockey Adel Al Qiyadi. Al Zeer arrives at this Dutch summit with a distinguished record, having claimed the Belgium leg title of the Prestigious Cup in 2025 and finishing runner-up at the Netherlands leg in the same season. The horse also placed third at the Italy leg of the current edition, marking him as one of the most consistent performers on this year's European tour.
Farida P, owned and trained by Pieter Dekkers with jockey Koen Clijmans, returns to the scene of one of her finest days. The mare won this very leg in 2024 before claiming the Sweden leg title in 2025 and finished third at Sweden in the current season. Few horses in this field know Duindigt better, and few carry a stronger record across the Prestigious Cup's European legs.
The field includes other notable contenders such as El Paso T, Al Rifaa, Go Star, El Zarka D.A., Love Me Do La Serre, Maqbool, Mahdi du Breuil, Farouk Al Shahania, and Papillion T. This gathering of elite owners, trainers, and jockeys ensures a fiercely contested competition to the finish line.
The Netherlands leg holds a distinguished place in the journey of the Prestigious Cup. Previous champions include Jalmar (2017), Lightning Bolt (2018), Khair Al Sham (2019), Jarif (2021 and 2022), Messi (2023), Farida P (2024), and Afjan (2025).
Matar Suhail Al Yabhouni Al Dhaheri, Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee of the UAE President's Cup for Purebred Arabian Horses, stated, "The Prestigious Cup continues its distinguished global journey. The Netherlands represents one of the important legs on the agenda of the 33rd edition, given the distinguished position it occupies within the European Arabian racing scene and the growing presence of the Prestigious Cup at international racecourses. This is consistent with our mission to elevate the standing of the Arabian horse and preserve its authentic heritage."
He concluded, "We take pride in the strong participation of elite studs and stables in the Netherlands race, and in the presence of a group of horses already crowned at legs of the Prestigious Cup. This enhances the technical and competitive value of the race and confirms the commitment of owners, trainers, and jockeys to taking part in this distinguished global event."
