The 2026–2027 United Arab Emirates horse racing season commenced on Thursday at the Abu Dhabi Turf Club, marking a vibrant start to the campaign at the capital’s flagship venue. The opening meeting featured seven competitive races, including five dedicated to Purebred Arabians and two for Thoroughbreds, boasting a total prize pool of Dhs 466,000. With total prize money of Dhs 466,000, setting the stage for another eagerly anticipated season of racing at the capital’s premier venue, the opening fixture comprised five races for Purebred Arabian horses and two for Thoroughbreds.
Highlighting the card, Khalid Khalifa Al Nabooda’s RB Boujee secured a narrow win in the 2,200-metre Wathba Stallions Cup. The race, reserved for private stable owners, saw a dramatic conclusion as RB Boujee surged late to overcome Al Sulaiti Racing’s Al Ghanim.
In the Qasr Al Watan Challenge Cup, Yas Racing’s Yarmouk, trained by Eric Legrix and guided by jockey Richard Mullen, held off Al Ajban Stables’ Envy to win the 2,200-metre test for Purebred Arabians aged four and older. Similarly, the Arabian Stride Mile provided a tight finish, with Sandro Paiva steering the Ajban Stables entry, Italy, to victory over BF Gala F Gala in a 1,600-metre sprint.
The meeting opened with the Fursan Al Watan race, won by Sultan XMansor. Owned and trained by Mansour Ali Suleiman Al Shamsi and ridden by Hamad Al Busaidi, the five-year-old son of RB Burn led from early stages to finish ahead of the Abu Dhabi Racing-owned Laheeb Baynounah in the 1,200-metre contest. Giving his connections an early reason to celebrate, sultan X Mansour delivered a successful performance to open the new campaign in style.
Hamad Al Busaidi also partnered with National Stables’ M N Hattan to dominate the 1,400-metre Al Ezz Elite Cup. The four-year-old gelding, trained by Tahnoon Al Alaawi, finished nearly five lengths clear of competitors including RB AK Qaaher and Mister Vialettes, asserting clear superiority on the track. Sultan Majed Khalfan Al Jahoori’s RB AK Qaaher and Al Ain Stud’s Mister Vialettes were left trailing behind as M N Hattan asserted his authority in commanding fashion.
In the Thoroughbred categories, Road Block—owned by Sayed Hashish and Hana Refai—secured a comfortable win against Bhupat Seemar’s Royal Office in the Desert Jewel Handicap. The evening concluded with the Capital Speed Sprint, a 1,200-metre event for maiden Thoroughbreds. Silvestre de Sousa rode the Sky Racing-owned Masubi to victory, showcasing an impressive turn of foot in the final stages to edge out Aiglemont, trained by Salem Bin Ghadayer. With the pair battling for supremacy throughout the race, the contest developed into a thrilling duel between Masubi and Salem Bin Ghadayer’s Aiglemont. However, when de Sousa called upon his mount in the closing stages, the four-year-old gelding by Too Darn Hot responded with an impressive turn of foot, accelerating decisively and secure victory.
