|arabian horses|

32 | Concierge | February 2010

 |arabian horses|

A stable
mate
Horse racing is a time-honoured tradition in
the UAE, but there’s one breed that stands
out as a cultural icon not only of the sport,
but also of the region
WORDS BY georgina wilson-Powell

O
ne of the longest standing One of the oldest and purest breeds of
traditions in the UAE is that of horse, dating back 4,500 years, the
racing, caring for and being heritage of the pure Arabian horse, or
passionate about horses, or more asil, has been retained by the Bedouin
specifically Arabian horses. Far more through centuries of oral tradition, and
than just a beast of burden, alongside the breeding of mares with non-asil
the camel, the Arabian horse is stallions was forbidden. The nomadic
synonymous with the history of the tribes of the desert often stabled them
Middle East. Arabians have always been inside their tents for protection, which
known for their strength, speed and led to a deep-seated respect of these
intelligence – characteristics that have beasts’ temperament and nature.
been nurtured over centuries by the The horses are also known as the
Bedouin tribes of the area. formidable war horses of Middle Eastern
“Speed and stamina have always been armies, fearless and frightening to the
the salient features of the purebred opposing side. There is a myth that
Arabian horses,” explains Mussalem Al Allah created the Arabian horse from
Amiri, racing manager for Sheikh the four winds: spirit from the north,
Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE strength from the south, speed from the
deputy prime minister, minister for east and intelligence from the west.
presidential affairs and owner of Al But how has the role of the Arabian
Wathba Stud Farm. “It was these horse evolved with the region’s
qualities that made the breed spread modernisation and how can visitors
from the Middle East to other parts of witness these beautiful creatures at
the world.” their best? Concierge finds out... 

February 2010 | Concierge | 33

|arabian horses|

“Abu Dhabi has always been at the centre

of providing support to purebred Arabian horses,
which are part of our culture and heritage”

which will tour seven countries Located near Al Mushrif Palace,

including France, the Netherlands 10 minutes from the city centre, the
and Germany from next May, world-class facilities give visitors a
started last month. small glimpse into how serious and
Mohammed Khalaf Al Mazrouei, passionate local horse owners are
director general of ADACH, explains, about racing. The club caters for
“We are delighted that this year’s riders of all skill levels and there’s
HH Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al also plenty to do if riding isn’t your
Nahyan Global Flat Racing Festival bag, with facilities such as tennis
starts here in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi courts, swimming pools (separate
has always been at the centre of to the one for the horses!) and a
providing support to purebred golf course within the grounds. In
Arabian horses, which are part of February there will be races here
our culture and heritage. This race, every Sunday which are free to
open to horses owned by UAE attend. Races begin at 6pm and
private owners, gives them a chance there are usually six races at half-
to compete and ensure their horses hour intervals. The dress code is
go on to race at higher levels.” smart casual and food and drinks

PHOTOGRAPHY: Anwer Sher, www.aqsher.com

Before the festival kicks off in May, are available. (Contact 02 4455500
Horsing Horse racing 10 races will be held in Abu Dhabi to or visit www.emiratesracing.com)
around A love of Arabian horses continues encourage local participation.
The Arabian horse
to this day in the UAE and traditions If further proof is needed of the
has distinct features
that immediately have evolved into pastimes and emirate’s passion for Arabian horses
distinguish it from sport, with horse races being and horse racing, one need only visit
other horse breeds. staged for pleasure as well as the the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, which
It has a wedge- excitement of a physical challenge. offers five-star luxury to the horses
shaped head, a
broad forehead, All horse races and events are with air-conditioned barns and a
large eyes, large overseen in the UAE by the Emirates 70-metre equine swimming pool. It
nostrils and small Racing Association which was set up was founded over 30 years ago by the
muzzles, while in 1993. It has helped shape Abu late president, His Highness Sheikh
most also display
Dhabi and the UAE as a world-class Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Since
a concave or
‘dished’ profile. flat racing country popular among 1994 the facility has been completely
Many Arabians professional jockeys, trainers, modernised with a fibreturf
also have a slight owners and, of course, spectators. grass racetrack and flood
forehead bulge In keeping with its commitment lights so that racing can
between their eyes
– called the jibbah to preserving the history of racing carry on past sunset.
by the Bedouin – purebred Arabian horses, the Abu
that adds additional Dhabi Authority for Culture and
sinus capacity and Heritage (ADACH) recently launched
is believed to
the HH Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed
help the Arabian
horse in the dry Al Nahyan Global Flat Racing
desert climate. Festival. The horse racing festival,

34 | Concierge | February 2010

|arabian horses|

Endurance racing
Endurance racing has found a
natural home in the UAE, with
horses and riders traditionally
undertaking long-distance rides,
which have now become great race
days. The first modern race took
place in 1993 and pitted camels
against horses over a 40-kilometre
distance. The first 15 places were
won by horses.
The UAE hosted the first world
championship endurance race in
1998, which attracted 162
competitors. Only 78 completed
the gruelling 160-kilometre ride.
Modern riders might find
themselves riding against royalty in
these hotly contested races as the A polo match has four riders per
events are much loved by the ruling side and is formed of six seven-minute
families. HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin plays or ‘chukkas’. The horsemanship
Mohammed Al Maktoum became and temperament needed for a
the youngest rider in history to win successful polo team have found
the FEI World Cup Endurance natural players in the UAE. Ghantoot
Championship in 2001 in Spain. Equestrian and Polo Club, about 45
In 2000 Abu Dhabi opened the minutes from Abu Dhabi, holds local
Al Wathba Endurance Village which and international matches from
Al Saheel: A Thousand and
hosts both the HH Endurance Cup One Horse Tales October to April.
and the slightly shorter (120km) The historic and timeless bonds between Opened five years ago by HH
National Day Cup in December. The man and horse are celebrated in this Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan,
HH Endurance Cup has been nick- equine-themed extravaganza inspired by the son of the country’s first
named the ‘crown jewel of Middle the ancient Arab tradition of storytelling. president, the late Sheikh Zayed Bin
Transported through the world of fables,
East Endurance’ and the prize on Sultan Al Nahyan, the club has six
the audience is treated to a series of magical
offer is AED1.5 million (US$408,000). tales through performances by 44 specially polo fields, a 2,000-seat grandstand,
(Visit www.uaeequafed.ae) trained horses and 30 riders. swimming pool, sauna and Italian
The 25 acts include classical Spanish restaurant for those who want to
Polo dressage, stunt riding, humorous pony acts make a day of it.
and traditional ‘horse whispering’ as well as
Another form of equestrian sport specialist acts such as horse skipping with a In fact, the club recently opened a
that is becoming increasingly rope and fire acts. new field, named after the late
popular in Abu Dhabi is ‘the sport When: Thursday, Friday and Saturday president, and will stage the
of kings’, polo. An ancient horse- evenings at 7.30pm Ghantoot Golden Cup from February
based sport, polo is thought to have Where: HoofbeatZ Pavilion, Dubai Polo & 6th to 12th, while a regular exhibition
originated from Persia (now Iran) Equestrian Club, Arabian Ranches, Dubai match will be held on February 26th.
in approximately the fifth century. Tickets: Adults AED225; children (two to (Contact 02 5629050 or visit
It became popular in India, Egypt, 12 years) AED100; children under two enter www.grpcpolo.com)
for free. Tickets can be bought online at
China and Japan over the next With so many opportunities to
www.timeouttickets.com or from the Al
thousand years before being Saheel box office at HoofbeatZ Pavilion witness one of Abu Dhabi’s favourite
introduced to England where it was Contact: [email protected] or
creatures in action, why not saddle
formalised by ex-army colonists in 050 1810401 up and make tracks for a day of
the late 19th century. horsing around? n

36 | Concierge | February 2010