The horse «نجيب الزمان» has proudly claimed the title of Champion of the President’s Cup for Purebred Arabian Horses in Saudi Arabia. This prestigious event marked the 17th and final leg of the series, hosted at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Al-Jinadriah on Friday. The triumph of «نجيب الزمان» serves as a testament to the continuous success of the “precious cup,” which has made a significant impact on the local and regional equestrian community since its inception in the Kingdom in 2018.
Celebrating Saudi Equestrian Heritage
The 32nd edition of this esteemed series is supported under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, emphasizing the vision to enhance the Arabian horse racing industry globally. This commitment not only uplifts horse owners and breeders but also safeguards the rich heritage and identity of Arabian horses.
The Thrill of Competition
The President’s Cup race, stretching 1800 meters on sandy terrain, featured generous prize money totaling 1.5 million Saudi Riyals for horses aged four and older. «نجيب الزمان», ranked 125 and descended from the lineage of «هلال الزمان × لبوة بنت أسد سيف», showcased an impressive performance, confirming his readiness and remarkable return to the track, earning a well-deserved victory for the Al-Adiyat stables. The horse was bred by Dr. Mohamed Al-Najifi, under the expert training of Abdulaziz Al-Mousa, and was expertly ridden by jockey Abdullah Al-Fayrouz.
A Memorable Presentation Ceremony
As the race reached its climax, «نجيب الزمان» pulled ahead, finishing with a time of 2:06:21 minutes. Following closely were «نديم الملوك الخالدية» in second place and «الحارث» in third. The festive award ceremony saw the attendance of distinguished guests, including the Ambassador of the UAE to Saudi Arabia, Motar Salem Ali Maran Al-Dhaheri, and Ziad Al-Muqrin, CEO of the Riyadh Race Club. The atmosphere reflected the strong brotherhood between the UAE and Saudi Arabia, celebrating the unity of the two nations.
Reflections from Officials
Musallam Salem Al-Amiri, a member of the Supreme Organizing Committee for the President’s Cup for Purebred Arabian Horses, expressed gratitude, stating, “We extend our heartfelt thanks to His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan for the successful conclusion of the global rounds of the precious cup, which has garnered unprecedented recognition.” He acknowledged the remarkable media attention and strong participation in various racing fields across Arab and European venues.
Al-Amiri added, “Our presence at King Abdulaziz Racecourse, one of the foremost tracks in the region, underscores our strategy to showcase the series in the most prestigious arenas worldwide. We were impressed by the exceptional organization of this event, reflecting the value of the precious cup and its significant place in Arabian horse racing.” He concluded with pride in the high standards displayed at the final leg, from the quality of participation to the engagement of owners and breeders, highlighting the continuous growth of the series each year.