Abu dhabi: The Waregem Racecourse in the Kingdom of Belgium is set to host the eleventh leg of the UAE President's Cup for Purebred Arabian Horses tomorrow, Tuesday 1 September 2026. The event will feature 11 elite horses competing in the 33rd edition of this prestigious cup.
According to Emirates News Agency, the Belgium leg of the race brings together a distinguished group of previous champions and horses that have excelled during the current season. The race will cover a distance of 2,200 meters on turf, categorized as Group 2, and is open to Purebred Arabian horses aged four years and above. The prize purse for this event stands at £250,000, marking it as the largest in the history of Arabian horse racing in Belgium.
Leading the Emirati presence at the Belgian summit are two strong contenders, RB Kingmaker and Maqbool. RB Kingmaker, owned by Helal Alalawi and trained by Elisabeth Bernard Jean-Fran§ois, is a standout with a history of notable victories. Ridden by Christophe Soumillon, RB Kingmaker previously claimed the UAE President's Cup title in Abu Dhabi in 2024 and the Group 1 Qatar International Stakes at Goodwood Racecourse earlier this season.
Maqbool, representing Yas Horse Racing Management and trained by Xavier Thomas-Demeaulte, will be ridden by Leo-Paul Brechet. Maqbool is coming off a strong runner-up finish at the Netherlands leg of the current edition.
Alongside these contenders, the field includes Netherlands leg champion Joe Star, owned by Mohamed Abdullah Abdul Rahman and ridden by Anthony Crastus, and Netherlands leg's third-placed finisher Mahdi du Breuil, trained by Melody Bailleul. Other notable entries include Sweden leg champion Freddy Py and stablemate El Paso T, as well as 2024 Italy leg winner Ska de l'Aigle, and multiple leg champion Farida P.
Completing the lineup are El Zarka D.A., Tex D.A., and Dream Seq, each with their own impressive pedigrees and records, ensuring a competitive race.
Faisal Al Rahmani, Secretary-General of the Higher Organising Committee of the UAE President's Cup for Purebred Arabian Horses, expressed pride in the continuation of the Prestigious Cup at European racecourses, highlighting the support and patronage of UAE leadership. He emphasized the global successes achieved by the event and the opportunities it provides for owners and breeders worldwide.
Al Rahmani noted the significance of the Belgium leg within the 33rd edition's agenda, due to the high quality of participation. He expressed anticipation for a strong and exciting race that reflects the advanced standard of Arabian horse racing, in line with the UAE's mission to preserve and elevate this authentic heritage globally.