UAE Arabian horse Global Cup lands in Morocco for major showcase

RABAT – Morocco is set to become the latest focal point of the international Arabian horse world this weekend, as the Kingdom hosts the third leg of the Emirates Arabian Horse Global Cup (EAHGC), a rapidly expanding global circuit dedicated to preserving and promoting one of the Arab world’s most iconic cultural heritages.

The event takes place at the National Institute for the Horse, within the Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan Complex in Dar Es Salam, Rabat, on Saturday, bringing together 179 horses owned by around 50 breeders and owners from Morocco and abroad in a showcase of breeding excellence, beauty and tradition.

Organised as part of a UAE-led international initiative, the competition is one stop in a multi-continental series designed to elevate the profile of Arabian horse breeding worldwide while reinforcing its cultural significance as a symbol of Arab identity.

The championship is overseen under the patronage of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and follows the guidance of Sheikh Zayed bin Hamad Al Nahyan, Vice Chairman of the Emirates Arabian Horse Society and head of the higher organising committee. The third edition of the cup spans multiple continents, underlining its ambition to establish itself as a truly global sporting and cultural platform.

This year’s circuit began in Australia in January, moved on to Bahrain in April, and now arrives in Morocco before continuing to the United States in September, China in October, Italy in November, and culminating in Brazil later in the year.

The Moroccan leg is being jointly organised by the Société Royale d’Encouragement du Cheval (SOREC), the Emirates Arabian Horse Society, and the Royal Moroccan Association of Arabian Thoroughbred Breeders, reflecting deepening cooperation between Morocco and the UAE in equestrian and cultural fields.

According to organisers, the competition will feature multiple categories, including colts and fillies across different age groups, as well as mares and stallions. Judging will be conducted by an international panel of experts drawn from Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Oman and Germany, with more than 60 titles expected to be awarded across six championship categories.

Beyond competition, the event is designed as a cultural celebration of the Arabian horse, combining sport, heritage and community engagement. SOREC Director General Omar Skalli described the event as “a unique opportunity” for Moroccan breeders to present their expertise on an international stage and promote the Kingdom’s finest horses globally.

In line with the philosophy of the EAHGC, the Moroccan stage places strong emphasis on horses bred and raised within the host country, reinforcing local breeding traditions while integrating them into a wider international circuit.

Alongside the main competitions, organisers have planned a family-friendly programme including a children’s village and food areas, aiming to transform the event into a broader cultural festival accessible to the general public, not only specialists and breeders.

The UAE-backed initiative reflects a wider strategy to preserve and promote Arabian horse heritage as a living cultural legacy. It also highlights the growing international reach of Arabian horse sport, where tradition, prestige and modern competition increasingly intersect.

As the Rabat leg prepares to open, Morocco stands not only as a host nation but as part of a growing global network of breeders, trainers and enthusiasts united by a shared heritage, one that continues to evolve while remaining deeply rooted in centuries of Arab cultural identity.