Nafe’eh wins UAE President’s Cup opener in Tunisia

UAE President’s Cup Series Begins in Tunisia with Thrilling Victory for Nafe’eh

ABU DHABI – The 32nd edition of the UAE President’s Cup Series for Purebred Arabian Horses began with an electrifying start in Tunisia on Sunday, as the young stallion Nafe’eh delivered a remarkable performance to win the opening leg at the prestigious Kasr Al Saied racecourse near Tunis.

Organised under the esteemed patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan — Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court — the series reaffirms the UAE’s dedication to preserving and celebrating the global heritage of Arabian horse racing.

In a stunning Group 1 race that featured 15 elite purebred Arabians, Nafe’eh overcame tough competition and outshone a trio of heavily backed favourites: Hatim, Las Vegas, and Khaddem. The four-year-old colt, a son of Noresk Al Maury and Menjadour, demonstrated superior speed and stamina, clocking in at 2:23.03 over a 2,000-metre distance and finishing two lengths ahead of runner-up Las Vegas.

The team and the event itself both celebrated the success of the winning horse, owned by Khaled ben Othman, trained by Aymen Jaberi, and ridden by jockey Jose Santiago. The event provided the greatest prize in Tunisia’s racing history, 500,000 Tunisian dinars. This historic win underscored the international stature of the President’s Cup and its growing influence in the Arab and European equestrian circuits.

With total season prize money exceeding Dh15 million, this year’s edition of the Cup is the richest in the history of Arabian horse racing. The 2025 season includes 17 races hosted across 11 European countries — including Russia and Turkiye — as well as five races in Arab countries and one in the United States.

The grand opening ceremony was attended by several high-ranking dignitaries and officials, including UAE Minister of Economy Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Tunisian Minister of Agriculture Ezzeddine ben Cheikh, UAE Ambassador to Tunisia Dr. Eman Al Salami, and Faisal Al Rahmani, Secretary-General of the Higher Organising Committee.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Al Salami highlighted the cultural and diplomatic significance of the Cup: “This successful launch beautifully reflected the UAE’s rich heritage and was warmly embraced by both Tunisian citizens and international guests. The accompanying celebrations also shined a light on Tunisia’s vibrant traditions.”

Faisal Al Rahmani echoed the importance of the event’s strategic vision: “Thanks to the leadership and vision of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Arabian horse racing has made great global strides. The high attendance and fierce competition at this first leg portend a successful season.

With Nafe’eh’s impressive start setting the tone, the 32nd UAE President’s Cup Series is anticipated to be an unforgettable season that upholds the honorable heritage of Arabian horses on the international scene and continues to transcend cultures.