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The Japanese horse Strawth claimed victory in the prestigious Abu Dhabi Golden Cup for Purebred Thoroughbreds at Abu Dhabi Racecourse, taking home a share of the one million dollar prize purse. The Abu Dhabi Golden Cup winner, trained by Ryo Taki and ridden by Brazilian jockey Joao Moreira, secured first place during the international racing event’s closing ceremony, which was attended by senior officials and international horse racing personalities.
His Excellency Sheikh Shakhbut bin Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of State, and His Excellency Mohamed Abdullah Al Junaibi, Chairman of the Presidential Ceremony and Strategic Narrative Authority and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, crowned the champion. Reem Mubarak Al Bouainain, Vice President of Social and Corporate Responsibility at ADNOC Group, also participated in the trophy presentation ceremony held at the Abu Dhabi track.
Japanese Horse Triumphs in Abu Dhabi Golden Cup
Strawth, owned by Carrot Farm Limited, completed the race in 1:33:98 minutes. The victory secured the horse a seat in the Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic Grade One race worth one million dollars, scheduled to take place at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby day in the United States. The winner received a specially designed trophy created by the prestigious British house Garrard.
Dark Trooper, owned by Wadnan Racing and trained by Alban de Mieulle with jockey James Doyle, finished in second place by one length. Comanche Brave, owned by John Magnier and M. Obrien and ridden by Ryan Moore, secured third place in the competitive field.
Strategic Draw Benefits Champion
According to trainer Ryo Taki, the draw favored the winning horse by placing it in a gate away from the rail where horses typically crowd at the start. Taki expressed his amazement at Abu Dhabi’s development, noting that witnessing the emirate in person exceeded what he had seen through media platforms. Additionally, the strategic positioning enabled jockey Moreira to execute the race plan effectively.
Moreira explained that while the fast start made the horse more excitable initially, it quickly calmed down. This allowed him to guide Strawth toward open space and seize the opportunity at the right moment to reach the finish line first, earning him recognition as the “Magic Man” among racing enthusiasts.
Abu Dhabi Reinforces Position as Global Racing Destination
Ali Al Shaiba, General Manager of Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club and Abu Dhabi Racecourse and Chairman of the Championship Organizing Committee, stated that the Abu Dhabi Golden Cup delivered exceptional competition levels. The event contributed to strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position on the global horse racing stage and raised standards for thoroughbred racing in the region. Meanwhile, the competition featured elite jockeys and horses from various parts of the world, reflecting the emirate’s continuous growth as a leading destination for major international sporting events.
Dale Brown, Executive Director of Horse Racing at Abu Dhabi Racecourse, emphasized that horse racing has played a pivotal role in Abu Dhabi’s sporting identity. He noted that the Abu Dhabi Golden Cup confirms the continued development of this sector at both regional and international levels. In contrast to merely providing high-level competition, the race supported the entire horse racing ecosystem, from owners and trainers to breeders and spectators, while reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s long-term vision to become a global center for elite equestrian sports.
Seven Races Feature Local and International Competitors
The closing ceremony included seven races with entertainment performances, and the total prize value reached 5.7 million dirhams. Hameem, owned by Al Ajban Stables and trained by Abdullah Al Hammadi with jockey Patrick Dobbs, won first place in the opening round for the Liwa Oasis title over 1,400 meters for purebred Arabian horses aged four years and above in the second category, with a prize of 300,000 dirhams presented by official partner Etihad Airways.
Amer Burn, owned by Ahmed Youssef Al Ureini and trained by Musabah Al Muhairi with jockey Tadhg O’Shea, won the Arabian Triple Crown first round title in the second heat over 1,600 meters for four-year-old purebred Arabian horses with a prize of 230,000 dirhams. However, Al Shaheen, owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan and trained by Anthony Gemell with jockey Sam Hitchcott, claimed first place in the third round over 2,200 meters for purebred Arabian horses aged four years and above with a prize of 66,000 dirhams.
Al Anoud Classic Honors Legendary Mare
Joe Star, owned by Mohammed Abdullah Abdulrahman and trained by Hamad Al Marri with jockey Bernardo Pinheiro, was crowned with the Al Anoud Classic Grade One title for purebred Arabian horses aged five years and above. The fourth heat over 2,200 meters carried a prize of one million dirhams. According to organizers, the launch of the Al Anoud Classic race honors the legendary mare who marked a milestone in the horse racing journey in the United Arab Emirates and perpetuates her distinguished legacy in racing arenas.
Ablan, owned by Al Rabie Racing and trained by Simon and Ed Crisford with jockey Ross Coakley, won the fifth round prize over 2,200 meters for purebred thoroughbred horses with a classification from zero to 85, aged four years and above and three-year-old horses, with a prize of 66,000 dirhams. Furthermore, Godolphin representative Royal Power, trained by Charlie Appleby and ridden by William Buick, delivered an impressive performance in the sixth round over 2,400 meters for the Abu Dhabi Championship for purebred thoroughbred horses aged four years and above and three-year-old horses, with a prize of 380,000 dirhams.
Strategic Partnership and Entertainment Program
ADNOC entered into a strategic three-year partnership to become the official sponsor of the Abu Dhabi Golden Cup until 2028, demonstrating commitment to supporting premier equestrian events. Etihad Airways joined as an official sponsor and presenting partner for the first race, contributing to the event’s international profile.
The closing evening featured a comprehensive entertainment program including live musical performances, exhibition segments, and a “Most Elegant” competition alongside family activities and a post-race celebration. The experience combined elite sport with world-class entertainment, reflecting Abu Dhabi’s growing status as an international destination for major sporting events and reinforcing the emirate’s position in the global racing calendar.
