The mare Chdia continued her dominant run in the 33rd edition of the UAE President’s Cup for Purebred Arabian Horses, securing the title at the competition’s Spanish leg on Saturday, August 15, 2026. Held at the San Sebastián Racecourse, the event attracted a crowd of approximately 15,000 spectators, underscoring the growing global prestige of the series and its commitment to promoting Arabian horse racing on the international stage.
Representing Wathnan Racing, Chdia was guided to victory by jockey Soufiane Saadi and trainer Alban de Mieulle. The Group 3 race, open to Purebred Arabians aged four and older, featured a competitive field of nine elite runners vying for a total prize purse of €200,000. Chdia completed the 1,600-meter turf course in 1:44.99, narrowly defeating the runner-up, Wala’a—representing Yas Horse Racing Management—by a neck in a hard-fought contest.
This victory marks Chdia’s second consecutive win in the 33rd edition of the Cup, following her previous success at the Horner Rennbahn in Hamburg, Germany. Bred in 2021 by Al Shaqab Racing, the mare now boasts an impressive career record of ten wins and one second-place finish from 11 starts. With a current rating of 124, she has firmly established herself as a top-tier competitor within the sport’s classified racing circuit.
The event was held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court. His ongoing support remains central to the series’ mission of preserving the heritage of the Arabian horse and encouraging international owners and breeders to participate in these high-profile festivals.
The ceremony and race proceedings were attended by Ibrahim Ali Saeed Alsharhan Al Nuaimi, Chargé d’Affaires at the UAE Embassy in Spain, and Saeed Al Muhairi, a representative of the Higher Organizing Committee. They were joined by various officials, trainers, owners, and jockeys to celebrate the successful second staging of the event at San Sebastián, which follows the inaugural 2025 race won by Al Wakrah.
By adding her name to the list of champions at the Spain leg, Chdia has further solidified the event’s standing on the European racing calendar. The positive reception from the public and the racing community in Spain highlights the enduring appeal of the UAE President’s Cup as it continues to elevate the profile of Arabian horse racing globally. The report also notes that the Spain leg drew a distinguished public turnout of around 15,000 spectators, as the UAE President’s Cup races continued to consolidate their prestigious standing and global public value, and their leading role in eleva. The report also notes that the champion further strengthened an outstanding record with her tenth career win, against a single runner-up finish from 11 starts, carrying a rating of 124 in a career rich with achiev, bred in 2021 by Al Shaqab Racing. The report also notes that following the success achieved by its inaugural staging in 2025, which drew a notable public turnout, the Spain leg strengthened its standing within the Prestigious Cup’s agenda in its second appearance at San Sebastián. The report also notes that this work helps preserve its authentic heritage and strengthens its presence at the most significant international festivals and races. The report also notes that the Spain leg drew a distinguished public turnout of around 15,000 spectators, as the UAE President’s Cup races continued to consolidate their prestigious standing and global public value, and their leading role in elevating the Arabian horse and strengthening its presence at the most important international racecourses. The report also notes that as Wala’a (by Gazwan out of Mabrooka), representing Yas Horse Racing Management, delivered a notable performance that threatened Chdia’s lead throughout, the race produced a fierce contest.
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