News DeskAbu Dhabi, UAE – The 32nd edition of the prestigious UAE President’s Cup Series for Purebred Arabian Horses galloped into action in grand fashion on Sunday, April 20, with a stunning opening round at the historic Kasr Al Saied Racecourse in Tunisia. Amid a festive atmosphere and a packed crowd, the surprise champion NAFE’EH emerged victorious in the Group 1 race, securing his place among the elite in Arabian horse racing.
NAFE’EH, trained by Aymen Jaberi and ridden by jockey Jose Santiago, stormed to the finish line in 2:23.03 minutes, outpacing strong contenders LASVEGAS and HATIM in a field of 15 top-tier horses from Tunisia and North Africa. Owned by Khaled Ben Othman, the champion’s win earned a slice of the record-breaking 500,000 Tunisian dinar prize—the highest purse ever awarded in the country’s racing history.
The event was held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of the Presidential Court, and showcased the UAE’s ongoing commitment to elevating the status of Arabian horse racing on the global stage.
Dignitaries present included Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy; Ezzeddine Ben Cheikh, Tunisian Minister of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries; Dr. Eman Ahmed Mohamed Ahmed Al Salami, UAE Ambassador to Tunisia; and Faisal Al Rahmani, Secretary-General of the Higher Organizing Committee, alongside members of the diplomatic and equestrian communities.
Dr. Eman Al Salami lauded the opening round’s success, calling it a powerful symbol of cultural diplomacy and UAE-Tunisia friendship:
“We are proud of the remarkable success of this opening round, which beautifully reflected the UAE’s cultural heritage and was warmly received by the Tunisian public and diplomatic guests. The accompanying festivities also showcased Tunisia’s rich culture and traditions. Each year, this Cup brings tremendous value to Tunisia, and this year’s edition has seen even more growth and recognition.”
Faisal Al Rahmani echoed the sentiment, crediting the vision of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed for the Cup’s global impact:
“This was a powerful and vibrant start to the new season. The support of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed continues to elevate Arabian horse racing internationally. The pre race auction in Tunisia demonstrated the high demand for Arabian horses, further validating the impact of our development strategy.”
The event not only celebrated elite equestrian sport but also highlighted the fusion of Emirati and Tunisian culture, setting the stage for a dynamic season ahead in the world of Arabian horse racing.
