The mare Chdia claimed victory at the Spain leg of the 33rd UAE President’s Cup for Purebred Arabian Horses, held on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at the San Sebastián Racecourse. This event, which drew approximately 15,000 spectators, continues the series’ tradition of promoting Arabian horse racing on the global stage, supported by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court.
Competing in a field of nine elite runners, Chdia—representing Wathnan Racing and guided by jockey Soufiane Saadi under the training of Alban de Mieulle—navigated the 1,600-meter turf track in 1:44.99. The race, which carried a total prize purse of €200,000, featured a tense finish as Chdia held off a strong challenge from the runner-up, Wala’a, to secure the Group 3 title by a neck.
This win marks Chdia’s second consecutive success in the current 33rd edition of the series, following her previous triumph at the Horner Rennbahn in Hamburg, Germany. Bred in 2021 by Al Shaqab Racing, the four-year-old mare now boasts an impressive career record of ten victories from 11 starts, maintaining a high rating of 124. Her performance further cements her status as a premier competitor in international Arabian horse racing.
The event in San Sebastián, now in its second year, has quickly established itself as a significant fixture on the European calendar. The inaugural 2025 race was won by Al Wakrah, also bred by Al Shaqab Racing, and the continued success of the event highlights the growing interest and positive reception among owners and breeders across Europe.
The official proceedings and trophy presentation were attended by Ibrahim Ali Saeed Alsharhan Al Nuaimi, Chargé d’Affaires at the UAE Embassy in Spain, and Saeed Al Muhairi, representing the Higher Organizing Committee of the UAE President’s Cup. They were joined by various officials, trainers, owners, and jockeys to celebrate the day’s competition.
By consistently hosting these races at prestigious international venues, the UAE President’s Cup continues to play a vital role in preserving the heritage of the Arabian horse. The series remains committed to supporting the global equestrian community and encouraging the development of top-tier bloodlines through its sustained presence at major racing festivals. The report also notes that the Spain leg drew a distinguished public turnout of around 15,000 spectators, as the UAE President’s Cup races continued to consolidate their prestigious standing and global public value, and their leading role in eleva. The report also notes that the champion further strengthened an outstanding record with her tenth career win, against a single runner-up finish from 11 starts, carrying a rating of 124 in a career rich with achiev, bred in 2021 by Al Shaqab Racing. The report also notes that following the success achieved by its inaugural staging in 2025, which drew a notable public turnout, the Spain leg strengthened its standing within the Prestigious Cup’s agenda in its second appearance at San Sebastián. The report also notes that the Spain leg drew a distinguished public turnout of around 15,000 spectators, as the UAE President’s Cup races continued to consolidate their prestigious standing and global public value, and their leading role in elevating the Arabian horse and strengthening its presence at the most important international racecourses. The report also notes that as Wala’a (by Gazwan out of Mabrooka), representing Yas Horse Racing Management, delivered a notable performance that threatened Chdia’s lead throughout, the race produced a fierce contest. The report also notes that however, settling the title by a neck, the champion held firm to the line.
