In an impressive performance, the mare «ليبو دي كارير» from Wathan Racing proudly claimed the title at the thirteenth leg of the President’s Cup for Purebred Arabian Horses. This prestigious event took place on the historic Doncaster racetrack, coinciding with the St. Leger Stakes festival, and attracted around 30,000 spectators. The British leg of the championship continued to showcase the excellence and successes of the esteemed cup, reflecting the unwavering support and vision of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, who is dedicated to the advancement of Arabian horse racing and nurturing owners and breeders worldwide, underscoring the UAE’s commitment to preserving the legacy of Arabian horses.
Exceptional Performance in a Challenging Race
The stallion «ليبو دي كارير», bred from the lineage of “Al Murajjaz × Manara du Carrier,” was expertly trained by Alban de Miel and skillfully ridden by jockey Mikael Barzalona. He delivered an outstanding performance, seizing victory in the final meters of the race, which spanned 2000 meters on turf for four-year-old colts and fillies. With a prize pool of £400,000, this event now holds the record as the highest prize in the history of Arabian horse racing in both Britain and Europe.
A Noteworthy Achievement
With this remarkable win, the four-year-old stallion «ليبو دي كارير» achieved his fourth victory out of seven appearances, marking his first title in a category one race. He is now the proud champion of the British Arabian Derby, having previously finished as the runner-up in the Qatar Derby at Chantilly in France. Proving his worth, he surged powerfully down the straight, skillfully overtaking his competitors with a half-length lead over second-place finisher “Munir,” another stellar representative from Wathan Racing, who is bred from “Al Murajjaz × Munira bint Durman” and trained by Damien de Watrigant. Third place went to “Shihan,” from the Shadwell Racing team, bred from “Al Murajjaz × Doha” under the guidance of trainer François Rohaut and jockey Tom Marquand.
Celebrating Success and Continuing Legacy
The race and subsequent awards ceremony were attended by several dignitaries, including Aref Hamad Al Awani, a member of the organizing committee for the President’s Cup for Purebred Arabian Horses, Faisal Al-Rahmani, Secretary-General of the organizing committee, and Saud Badr Al-Taniji, representing the UAE Embassy in London, along with representatives of Wathan Racing.
Matar Al-Yehebi Al-Dhaheri, Chairman of the organizing committee for the President’s Cup for Purebred Arabian Horses, expressed pride in the significant successes achieved at the thirteenth leg in Doncaster, Britain. “The race highlighted the prestigious standing of the cup and its strong presence within the renowned St. Leger festival, concluding the Arabian Derby in England. The British leg demonstrated the value of the cup in the world’s most prestigious races. We are also pleased with the overwhelming support and warm reception from the attendees, owners, and media, reflecting the importance and historical significance of the event,” he noted. Al-Dhaheri emphasized ongoing efforts to ensure the cup continues to meet its goals through its global tours, encouraging owners and breeders of Arabian horses to participate in all races. He extended his congratulations to Wathan Racing on «ليبو دي كارير»’s victory at the British leg.