Sharjah Equestrian Club Successfully Hosts 8th GCC Cup Race

The eighth edition of the Gulf Cooperation Council Cup for the 2025/2026 season kicked off at the Sharjah Longines Racecourse. The prestigious event was organised by the Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club in cooperation with the Emirates Racing Authority and featured a distinguished lineup of elite Arabian horses from the United Arab Emirates, the Sultanate of Oman, and the State of Qatar.

The race marked the fourth event of the season at Sharjah Longines Racecourse and was held under the patronage of Al Marwan Group, Al Marwan Developments, Al Marwan Machinery, the Sharjah Sports Council, and Sharjah Sports Channel.

Strengthening Bonds of Brotherhood

Sheikh Abdullah bin Majid Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club, welcomed participants from across the GCC, noting that the strong regional presence reflected the race’s esteemed reputation. He emphasised that the event successfully brought together some of the finest purebred Arabian horses while reinforcing the bonds of brotherhood and unity among GCC nations.

A Platform for Elite Gulf-Bred Arabian Horses

Sheikh Abdullah Al Qasimi reaffirmed that the continued organisation of the event aims to elevate the status of locally bred purebred Arabian horses within the GCC. He highlighted the club’s commitment to maintaining the race as a key annual fixture in its calendar, providing a dedicated platform to showcase elite Gulf-bred Arabian horses.

Strong Participation: 87 Horses and 11 Reserves

Sultan Mohammed Khalifa Al Yahyai, General Director of Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club, stated that the race has grown into one of the major sporting events uniting GCC countries. The competition recorded strong participation, featuring purebred Arabian horses, locally bred horses, and purebred hybrids. A total of 87 horses, along with 11 reserves, competed for cash prizes amounting to AED 400,000.

Six Races Across Distances and Levels

The event featured six races covering various distances and categories.
The first race was dedicated to three-year-old beginner purebred Arabian colts and geldings over 1,200 metres, offering prizes of up to AED 40,000, with 16 horses and 4 reserves participating. The second race featured three-year-old beginner purebred Arabian fillies over the same distance and prize value, also with 16 entries and 4 reserves.
The third race was open to three-year-old and older purebred Arabian horses, beginners from UAE local production, over 1,700 metres, with AED 40,000 in prizes and 16 horses competing alongside 2 reserves. The fourth race was a handicap for UAE-bred purebred Arabian horses aged four and above over 2,000 metres, offering AED 40,000 in prizes and featuring 9 horses.
The fifth race, one of the highlights of the event, was dedicated to purebred Arabian horses bred in GCC countries aged four and above over 1,700 metres. It carried prizes of AED 200,000 and featured 14 horses from the UAE, Oman, and Qatar.
The sixth and final race was a handicap for purebred hybrid horses aged three and above over 1,200 metres, with AED 40,000 in prizes and participation from 16 horses and 4 reserves.
The successful conclusion of the eighth GCC Cup further cemented Sharjah’s position as a prominent hub for Arabian horse racing in the region.