The UAE President’s Cup for Purebred Arabian Horses returns to Churchill Downs on Thursday, with the American leg of the series taking place during Kentucky Derby week.
The race, the second leg of the 33rd edition of the global series, will be staged at the famous Louisville racecourse, which opened in 1875 and remains one of the best-known venues in world racing.
This year’s Grade I race will be run over 2,000 metres and carries prize money of $400,000. Organisers say it is the highest purse offered for an Arabian horse race in the United States.
It is the eighth time Churchill Downs has hosted a leg of the UAE President’s Cup.
The race is open to horses aged four and above. Nine runners have been entered, including Diamond Gem AA, the defending champion.
Diamond Gem AA won the race in 2023 and will try to claim a third American title. A win would draw him level with Paddys Day, who holds the record with three victories in the race, in 2016, 2020 and 2021.
Irad Ortiz Jr will ride Diamond Gem AA, who is trained by Jeresto Torrez.
The field also includes WMA Wild Kisses, AA Take A Chance, Highh Stakes, Highh Country, RB Badonkadonk, WMA Grand Finale, WMA Smoke Signal and Quick Rae AA.
Ruggeri Stables will be strongly represented, with AA Take A Chance, Highh Country and Quick Rae AA all entered.
The American leg has built a strong roll of honour since the UAE President’s Cup first became part of the Churchill Downs programme. Previous winners include Quick And Rich, Quick Sand AA, RB Texas Hold Em, Hiab Al Zaman, Diamond Gem AA and RB Money Maker.
Matar Suhail Al Yabhouni Al Dhaheri, Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee of the UAE President’s Cup for Purebred Arabian Horses, said holding the race at Churchill Downs during Kentucky Derby week was an important step for Arabian racing.
“The widespread positive resonance that the race series enjoys across its various international stops shows the success of the UAE’s vision in supporting the status of the Purebred Arabian horse.”
The series remains part of an effort to promote Purebred Arabian racing at major international tracks. Its place on the Churchill Downs card gives the breed a rare stage in front of a large American racing audience.
