High Stakes at Churchill Downs: UAE President’s Cup Joins Derby Weekend

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

On Thursday, the famed Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, will host the UAE President’s Cup for Purebred Arabian Horses, coinciding with the illustrious Kentucky Derby, a pinnacle of horse racing globally.

This prestigious global racing series is dedicated to elevating Arabian horse racing's profile on leading international stages while celebrating the rich heritage of Purebred Arabian breeds. It aligns with the UAE’s vision to nurture and propagate equestrian traditions worldwide.

Founded in 1875, Churchill Downs presents an extraordinary backdrop for this premier competition. Horses aged four and older will compete, promising to draw some of the best stables and most recognized jockeys, trainers, and owners from around the globe.

With a Grade I classification, the race covers 2,000 meters and brings forth a prize purse of $400,000—the largest ever for Arabian horse racing in America. This marks the eighth occurrence of this event at Churchill Downs within the global series.

Pairing the race with the Kentucky Derby—known as the first leg of the Triple Crown—provides Arabian horses with a prominent international stage, allowing them to showcase their talent to large audiences and attract significant media coverage.

Among the entrants, defending champion Diamond Gem AA aims for a remarkable third title, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. and trained by Jeresto Torrez, competing against formidable challengers like WMA Wild Kisses and AA Take A Chance.

Ruggeri Stables is set to present a competitive roster featuring AA Take A Chance, Highh Country, and Quick Rae AA, further enriching the lineup.

Historically, the American edition has celebrated champions, including Paddys Day, who holds the win record with three victories (2016, 2020, 2021), among others like Diamond Gem AA.

According to Matar Suhail Al Yabhouni Al Dhaheri, Chairman of the organizing committee, staging this race at Churchill Downs during the Kentucky Derby is a remarkable accomplishment, underlining the UAE President’s Cup's expanding global significance and its commitment to high-caliber Arabian horse racing.