Above: UAE President Cup 12-07-2024 Finish. Photo by Ryan Thompson.
Provided by Arabian Jockey Club
Purse Increased to $150,000 for Richest Arabian Horse Race in U.S. in More than a Decade
In recognition of the 150th running of the Second Jewel of America’s Triple Crown for Thoroughbreds, the purse of the Grade 1 over 1 1/16 miles on dirt will be increased to $150,000. The global series will feature the Arabian breed in conjunction with other Classic races in 2025 at the Guineas in France on May 11 and at the St. Leger in the United Kingdom on September 13.
The UAE President Cup Series represents the vision of Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the vice president and deputy prime minister of the United Arab Emirates and an Arabian horse enthusiast and advocate. The 2025 UAE President Cup will be the richest race for the Arabian breed in America since the series hosted a race for Arabians on Breeders’ Cup Friday at Santa Anita Park in 2013.
The UAE President Cup, which began in 1994, first partnered with the Arabian Jockey Club for a race in the United States in 2010 at Keeneland. The series has subsequently showcased the versatility, heartiness, and beauty of the Arabian breed at Pimlico, Santa Anita, Churchill Downs, and Gulfstream Park.
There has been a UAE President Cup on the same card as the Preakness in 2012 (won by T M Fred Texas), 2020 (Paddys Day), 2021 (Paddys Day), 2022 (Hiab Al Zaman), and 2023 (Diamond Gem AA).
In 2024 at Gulfstream, the race produced an all-time classic for the breed with the filly RB Malexis winning a three-way photo finish against defending champion and reigning horse of the year Diamond Gem AA and 25-1 longshot WMA Smoke Signal. RB Malexis is pointing to the $1 million, Group 1 Dubai Kahayla Classic at the Dubai World Cup at Meydan on April 5.
Start of 2021 UAE Presidents Cup. Photo by Katie Jones.
