The International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing (IFAHR), under the leadership of its president Faisal Al Rahmani, continued its efforts to expand the reach of Arabian horse racing worldwide by building new partnerships and strengthening cooperation with stakeholders across different continents. In this context, the People’s Republic of China has recently witnessed significant developments aimed at opening new horizons for Arabian horse racing, within a vision spearheaded and supported by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chief of the Presidential Court, who is renowned for his pioneering role in reviving and developing Arabian horse racing globally.
Tianjin Region
During a field visit to Tianjin, a major city near Beijing, Al Rahmani discussed with Chinese officials and horse racing organizers ways to enhance cooperation with the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing, aiming to organize more races and increase international participation. This initiative comes at a time of rapid growth in equestrian sports in China, particularly in the Beijing-Tianjin region, which has become a rising center for the sport in Asia.
During the visit, Al Rahmani attended an Arabian horse race held at the Jinmen Ma Hui Racecourse in Tianjin, where he observed the competition and participated in the awards ceremony, reflecting the growing international presence of these races. He also toured the racecourse.
An inspection tour of the stables, facilities, and infrastructure of the racetrack was conducted to assess its technical and organizational readiness to host Arabian horse races in the coming period.
Intensive Meetings
The visit was not limited to ceremonial or protocol aspects. It included a series of intensive meetings with horse racing organizers in China, during which future plans for developing the sport were reviewed, and mechanisms for cooperation with the International Federation were discussed. This included organizing sanctioned races, attracting owners and trainers from various countries, and enhancing training and development programs related to this industry.
These initiatives are part of a broader strategy adopted by the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing, which focuses on expanding the reach of races beyond their traditional regions in the Middle East and Europe, and accessing new markets in Asia and Latin America. China is considered one of the most important of these markets, given its large size, growing interest in equestrian sports, and the investment potential and infrastructure that are beginning to develop around this sport.
These steps also reflect ongoing efforts to solidify the presence of the Arabian horse on the global racing scene, not only as a cultural and historical heritage linked to the Arab world, but also as an international sport with growing competitive and economic value. Through these new partnerships, the International Federation aims to build a broader and more diverse racing ecosystem, enabling Arabian horses to reach new audiences and markets worldwide.
