“Namour Al Shahania,” owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani and under the supervision of François Rohaut with jockey Valentin Seguy, secured the title of the Wathba Stallions Cup for Purebred Arab Horses at the age of only three years, covering a distance of 2000 meters. The race, with a prize of 10,000 euros, took place at the San Sebastián racecourse in the Kingdom of Spain on August 15, 2023, under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival.

The organization of the festival follows the directives and encouragement of HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, Minister of Presidential Court and Chairman for the Emirates Arabian Horse Society, with the aim of developing the horse racing industry worldwide, supporting the preservation of purebred Arab horse breeds, and encouraging breeders to care for them across continents.

Competing in the Wathba Stallions Cup for Purebred Arab Horses at the age of three were eight promising young horses, after the withdrawal of “Shehrazad.” “Namour Al Shahania,” guided by François Rohaut and ridden by Valentin Seguy, clinched the victory in a tight competition against “Zakadir,” owned by Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani and guided by D.Guillemin, with jockey C.Merille. In third place was “Klarine de Ghazal,” owned by Earl Al P., and guided by Elizabeth Bernard with jockey Gary Sanchez. The champion recorded a time of 2:18:83 minutes.

Following the race, Barbara de Mieulle, the representative of the Spanish Jockey Club, presented the awards to the winners.

The festival includes the races of the Jewel Crown of HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Zayed Cup, the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup, the Wathba Stallions Cup, and the International Gathering for Purebred Arab Horse Racing.

The festival began its strong start on January 11 of the same year, introducing new races in the 2023 season. It features the organization of 152 local and international races worldwide, including races that have been elevated to categorized levels, including races of the first, second, and third categories.

The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Horse Racing Festival is sustained by the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture & Tourism coordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, with National Feed as strategic partner, The National Library & Archives as the official partner , MUBADALA as the official partner ,Emirates Airline as the official carrier, Etisalat as official sponsor & sponsored by Al Massood Automobiles Nissan, Areej Alameerat, Omeir Travels Agency, YAS Sports TV, Viola Communications, the UAE’s General Women’s Union , Emirates International Endurance Village, Emirates Arabian Horse Society & Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.