Emirates News Agency WAM reported that Romeo AT settled a summit clash at Doncaster to claim the UAE President’s Cup for Purebred Arabian Horses on September 12, adding another Emirati success to the 33rd edition of the series. The Wathnan Racing-owned horse, trained by Xavier Thomas-Demeaulte and ridden by Tom Marquand, produced a determined performance in the Group 1 contest over 2,000 metres to edge out strong challengers including the French Derby winner Sab’aan Al Shahania. The result underscores the competitive balance in a field drawn from across Europe’s leading Purebred Arabian stables.
The Doncaster leg formed part of a 15-race international calendar unveiled in April by the Higher Organising Committee under the directives of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, with total prize money surpassing AED20 million for the season. Staged alongside the 250th St Leger Festival, the race offered £250,000 in prize funds, reinforcing its status as Europe’s most valuable Purebred Arabian event of its type. Previous legs this year have seen victories for horses like RB Burn The Bill in Italy and Chdia in both Germany and Spain, according to series updates from Gulf Today.
Romeo AT entered the race with a strong recent record that included a runner-up finish in the French Arabian Derby at Chantilly and a third-place result in the corresponding Doncaster event last season. Those performances had marked the four-year-old, sired by AF Al Buraq out of Tawazun, as one of the leading hopes for Wathnan Racing in the British fixture. The victory at Doncaster represents a significant career milestone for the horse and its connections.
Faisal Al Rahmani, Secretary-General of the Higher Organising Committee, stated in April that the 33rd edition marked a historic turning point for Arabian racing through partnerships with iconic venues such as Doncaster. The series has attracted growing international attention, with the prior edition drawing more than 400,000 spectators and over 500 million digital views across its races. This year’s expanded programme builds on that momentum by integrating with major festivals worldwide.
The remaining legs will take the competition to Russia, followed by the final event in Poland on September 27, continuing the global tour that began in Tunisia in April, the committee’s schedule shows. Each stop offers substantial prize money and attracts top trainers and jockeys, elevating standards across the Purebred Arabian discipline. Doncaster’s contribution to the calendar highlights the enduring appeal of British racecourses for the UAE-backed series.
Wathnan Racing has secured multiple wins across the 2026 campaign, with its horses demonstrating consistent excellence in Group races, WAM noted. The stable’s success reflects the depth of UAE investment in breeding and training programs aimed at competing at the highest international level. Following the presentation ceremony, connections celebrated a result that strengthens their position in the overall standings for the season.
