The Veliefendi Racecourse in Istanbul, Republic of Türkiye, is set to host the twelfth leg of the 33rd UAE President’s Cup for Purebred Arabian Horses on Sunday, 6th September 2026. This prestigious event, held under the support of the UAE's leadership, features nine elite horses from prominent European and Turkish studs, continuing the global series aimed at elevating the Arabian horse racing industry and supporting owners and breeders internationally.
This marks the third consecutive season that the Türkiye leg has been included in the global cup series, following its initial success upon joining the calendar in 2024. The Group 3 race will span a distance of 1,600 metres on turf and is open to Purebred Arabian horses aged three years and older. The competitors are vying for a substantial prize purse of €250,000.
Among the top contenders is Molfit, sired by Al Mourtajez out of Djezabel des Forges. Representing Wathnan Racing, Molfit is trained by François Rohaut and will be ridden by jockey Faleh Nasser Bughenaim. Another notable entry is Allie Saint Lon, sired by Alsaker out of Nasma Al Chame, owned by Omar Esmil Sh Ghrghar, trained by Elisabeth Bernard Jean-François, and ridden by Adel Al Qeyadi. The final line-up of competing horses also includes Azimli, Kahraman Oglu, Zincir Koparan, Aslan Hatip, Gözpınarı, Kral Sultan, and Öztatmar.
Matar Suhail Al Yabhouni Al Dhaheri, Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee of the UAE President’s Cup for Purebred Arabian Horses, highlighted the significance of reaching the twelfth leg. He credited the continuous expansion of the Cup across international tracks to the vital support from the UAE's wise leadership, which serves as a cornerstone for promoting the heritage of Purebred Arabian horses.
Al Dhaheri expressed pride in maintaining the Turkish leg of the series, noting that its presence at Veliefendi Racecourse reflects the success achieved over the previous two seasons. He emphasized that the high level of participation underlines the Cup's reputation for attracting elite horses, while fostering closer sporting cooperation and communication between the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Türkiye.
