UAE President’s Cup Makes Historic Newbury Debut
£150,000 Arabian Racing Showdown at Newbury
The UAE President’s Cup for Purebred Arabian Horses is set to make its historic debut at Newbury Racecourse in the United Kingdom on Friday, 14 August 2026, bringing together an exciting field of emerging Arabian racing talent for one of the most significant events of the 33rd edition of the prestigious international series.
Held with the support of HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, the Newbury race represents another important step in expanding the international presence of Purebred Arabian racing.
A Historic First for Newbury
Founded in 1905, Newbury becomes the latest internationally renowned racecourse to host the UAE President’s Cup. The series has previously appeared at major venues including ParisLongchamp, Churchill Downs, Doncaster and San Siro, highlighting its growing position on the global racing calendar.
The Newbury contest will be run over 1,600 metres on turf and is classified as a Group 3 race exclusively for three-year-old Purebred Arabians. With a prize purse of £150,000, it is described by organisers as the most valuable race for three-year-old Arabian horses in Europe. Post time is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. London time, or 9:30 p.m. UAE time, with coverage available on Yas Sports TV.
Emerging Arabian Stars Take Centre Stage
Five promising horses are entered for the Newbury contest: Nehmo de Carrere, Amir Athbah, Eljas du Bienn, Lella de la Gloire and RB Tryst. The field represents prominent owners, trainers and jockeys, creating an important opportunity for a new generation of Arabian racehorses to establish themselves on the international stage.
The Newbury meeting is also the first of two British legs in the 33rd edition. Doncaster Racecourse will stage the second UK race on 12 September during the historic St Leger Festival. Together, the two events reinforce the Cup’s commitment to strengthening the profile of Purebred Arabian racing at leading European racecourses.
Supporting Arabian Racing Worldwide
HE Faisal Al Rahmani, Secretary-General of the Higher Organizing Committee of the UAE President’s Cup for Purebred Arabian Horses, said the selection of Newbury reflects the committee’s commitment to staging races at historic venues while creating valuable competitive opportunities for owners and breeders.
Beyond competition, the UAE President’s Cup carries a wider mission of preserving and promoting the heritage of the Arabian horse. The series was founded in 1994, based on the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, with the objective of elevating the Arabian horse’s international standing.
More than three decades later, the series continues to support breeders, owners and racing professionals while strengthening the UAE’s position within global equestrian sport.
With Newbury joining its distinguished roster of international venues, the 33rd UAE President’s Cup promises another compelling chapter in the continuing global development of Purebred Arabian racing.
RACE DETAILS
| Date | Friday, 14 August 2026 |
| Venue | Newbury Racecourse, United Kingdom |
| Post time | 6:30 p.m. London time / 9:30 p.m. UAE time |
| Distance | 1,600 metres (turf) |
| Category | Group 3 |
| Age | Three-year-olds only |
| Prize purse | £150,000 |
| Livestream | Yas Sports TV |
With a total prize purse of £150,000, the race becomes the most valuable contest for three-year-old Arabian horses in Europe. It is a further confirmation of the technical and competitive value of the Newbury leg and of its central role in supporting owners and breeders and in presenting a new generation of Arabian racing champions.
THE RUNNERS
The field brings together a select group of the strongest emerging Arabian horses, representing leading owners and studs:
| No. | Horse | Pedigree | Owner | Trainer | Jockey |
| 1 | Nehmo de Carrere | AF Albahar × Panita de Carrere | Sheikh Khalaf Rabah Alshammari | Xavier Thomas-Demeaulte | Guillaume Guedj-Gay |
| 2 | Amir Athbah | Assaf Al Khalediah × Jaazmah Athbah | Athbah Racing | Philip Collington | Jean-Bernard Eyquem |
| 3 | Eljas du Bienn | Muntaser Al Khalediah × Djaiza du Bienn | Sheikh Hamed Khadim Butti Al Hamed | J. F. Bernard | Antoine Werle |
| 4 | Lella de la Gloire | Al Mourtajez × Lella Nadia Al Badr | Mohammed Alhuzami | J. F. Bernard | Mickael Forest |
| 5 | RB Tryst | Majd Al Arab × Rich Frynd | K S Racing | Philip Collington | Sean Levey |
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Explore Horse Racing →HE Faisal Al Rahmani, Secretary-General of the Higher Organizing Committee of the UAE President’s Cup for Purebred Arabian Horses, said:
‘We are pleased to stage the Prestigious Cup races for the first time at the historic Newbury Racecourse, which represents a qualitative addition to the agenda of the 33rd edition and reflects the distinguished global standing the series has established at the world’s major international racecourses, thanks to the substantial support and considered vision of HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his continued commitment to elevating the standing of the Arabian horse and supporting its journey worldwide’.
