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 drew a crowd of approximately 15,000 spectators, underscoring the growing global prestige of the series and its commitment to promoting the Arabian horse breed on the international stage.
Representing Wathnan Racing, Chdia was guided to victory by jockey Soufiane Saadi and trained by Alban de Mieulle. The four-year-old mare faced a competitive field of nine runners, ultimately winning the 1,600-meter turf race in a time of 1:44.99. The victory secured the Group 3 title and a share of the €200,000 prize purse, with Chdia narrowly defeating the runner-up, Wala’a—representing Yas Horse Racing Management—by a neck.
This performance marks Chdia’s second consecutive win in the current series, following her previous success at the Horner Rennbahn in Hamburg, Germany. Bred by Al Shaqab Racing in 2021, the mare now boasts an impressive career record of ten wins and one second-place finish from 11 starts, currently holding a rating of 124. Her latest triumph adds her name to the event’s history in Spain, succeeding the inaugural 2025 champion, Al Wakrah, who was also bred and owned by Al Shaqab Racing.
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 aims to preserve the heritage of Arabian horses and encourage global breeders and owners to participate in major international racing festivals.
The awards ceremony was attended by Ibrahim Ali Saeed Alsharhan Al Nuaimi, Chargé d’Affaires at the UAE Embassy in Spain, and Saeed Al Muhairi, representing the Higher Organizing Committee of the UAE President’s Cup. They were joined by various officials, trainers, owners, and jockeys to celebrate the successful second staging of the race at San Sebastián.
The continued success of the Spain leg reflects the positive reception the UAE President’s Cup has received within the European racing community. By consistently drawing large crowds and high-caliber competition, the series continues to solidify its role in elevating the status of Purebred Arabian horse racing worldwide. 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 chdia covered the 1,600 metres on turf in a time of 1:44.99, claiming the Group 3 title for Purebred Arabian horses aged four years and above, in a field of nine runners representing elite owners and studs, competing for. 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 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.
