HM Alchahine Triumphs In UAE President’s Cup Held In Germany

HM Alchahine, a four-year-old Purebred Arabian gelding owned by Helal Alalawi from France, secured victory in the UAE President’s Cup at Hamburg’s Horner Rennbahn. The race spanned 1,600 metres and was part of the seventh leg of the UAE President’s Cup series, now in its 32nd edition. This event underscores the UAE's dedication to preserving and promoting Purebred Arabian horses, a significant aspect of Emirati heritage.

The UAE President’s Cup coincided with the 156th German Derby, attracting nearly 30,000 spectators. It featured a record prize purse of €250,000, making it the most lucrative Arabian race in German racing history. The series is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, highlighting the UAE's commitment to enhancing the global stature of these horses.

Trained by Jean-François Bernard and expertly ridden by Cristian Demuro, HM Alchahine delivered a commanding performance. He clinched his second UAE President’s Cup win with a time of 1:45.42, following an earlier victory in Italy. This achievement further solidifies his reputation on the European racing circuit.

Al Wakrah (FR), owned by Al Shaqab Racing and trained by Jean-Loup de Mieulle with jockey Olivier d’Andigné, finished second. Al Zeer (FR), owned by Mohamed Fahad A.H. Al-Attiyah and trained by François Rohaut with jockey Adrie de Vries, secured third place. Other competitors included Papillion T (HOL) from the Netherlands and Djafar (FR), showcasing strong performances.

The race was attended by Dr. Peter Tschentscher, First Mayor of Hamburg; Ahmed Alattar, UAE Ambassador to Germany; Faisal Al Rahmani, General Secretary of the Higher Organising Committee for the UAE President’s Cup; and Ahmed Al Samarrai, President of the German Arabian Horse Association. Nasser Hilal Al Alawi received the winning trophy on behalf of the owner amid celebrations.

Faisal Al Rahmani expressed pride in Hamburg's success: "We are extremely proud of the success achieved in Hamburg. The outstanding organisation, strong participation, and warm reception all reflect the UAE’s growing impact on the global Arabian horse racing scene, a vision driven forward by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed."

He further congratulated Helal Alalawi on HM Alchahine’s impressive performances in Germany and Italy: "Congratulations to Helal Alalawi on HM Alchahine’s impressive performance in Germany and his earlier victory in Italy. These results reaffirm the strength of UAE-owned horses in international racing."

The UAE President’s Cup continues to serve as a cultural bridge, introducing European audiences to Purebred Arabian horses' history and values. This event not only celebrates equestrian excellence but also strengthens cultural ties through shared appreciation for these noble creatures.

With inputs from WAM