Veliefendi Racecourse in Istanbul is scheduled to host the Turkish leg of the UAE President’s Cup for Purebred Arabian Horses as the series reaches its 12th stop within the 33rd edition, according to the Emirates News Agency. The Higher Organising Committee outlined in an April announcement that this year’s calendar would feature 19 stations across four continents with aggregate prize money exceeding 20 million dirhams. That expansion built upon the 32nd edition, which drew 354 horses and more than 400,000 spectators while generating over 500 million digital views, a committee assessment found. The series continues to focus on elevating the global profile of the Purebred Arabian breed.
The race will cover 1,600 metres on turf in Group 3 company for horses aged three years and older with a purse of 250,000 euros, matching the record figures established at multiple venues during the current tour, the Emirates News Agency detailed. Organisers anticipate a competitive edition that assembles performers with proven records in both Turkish and international events. This will mark the third consecutive season that Istanbul has featured on the calendar since its inclusion in 2024. The event forms part of an ongoing effort to support breeders and owners around the world.
Molfit heads the confirmed runners while carrying the colours of Wathnan Racing, the Emirates News Agency reported. The horse, by Al Mourtajez out of Djezabel des Forges, is prepared by trainer François Rohaut and will be ridden by Faleh Nasser Bughenaim in a combination that adds notable international strength to the field. Such participation underscores the race’s ability to attract high-calibre contenders from beyond Turkey’s borders.
Allie Saint Lon will also feature in the line-up for owner Omar Esmil Sh Ghrghar, according to the same Emirates News Agency list. Elisabeth Bernard Jean-François trains the progeny of Alsaker and Nasma Al Chame, with Adel Al Qeyadi booked to ride. The remaining participants are Azimli, Kahraman Oglu, Zincir Koparan, Aslan Hatip, Gözpınarı, Kral Sultan and Öztatmar, all representing elite studs from Turkey and Europe.
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan provides patronage for the UAE President’s Cup, enabling its development into one of the most significant global series for the breed, Matar Suhail Al Yabhouni Al Dhaheri, chairman of the Higher Organising Committee, said in the April statement. The Belgium leg earlier this month saw RB Kingmaker secure victory at Waregem before nearly 55,000 spectators in a 2,200-metre Group 2 event also carrying a 250,000 euro purse, Gulf Today reported. Faisal Al Rahmani, general secretary of the committee, has attended several stops to support the programme’s objectives.
The Turkish fixture has established itself as a regular feature that contributes to the series aim of broadening the Arabian horse’s presence at leading international racecourses, a committee review noted. Further legs remain on the schedule, including events in Russia, additional British venues and the grand finale in Saudi Arabia on November 20. Previous Turkish editions have drawn large crowds and produced decisive performances that have reinforced the race’s standing within the calendar.
