Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Racing Excellence Awards Winners Revealed

The Dubai Racing Club (DRC) recently celebrated the pinnacle of racing excellence by announcing the winners of the prestigious His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Racing Excellence Awards. The ceremony, held during the Super Saturday card at Meydan Racecourse, spotlighted the achievements of the most outstanding figures in horse racing across seven distinguished categories.

The awards, designed to recognize the highest standards of racing achievement, covered categories including Best Horse, Best Jockey, Best Trainer, Best Owner, People’s Choice, Lifetime Achievement, and Excellence Award. Each category was meticulously judged based on criteria set by the DRC and supervised by the Trustee’s Committee.

Equinox, a six-time Group 1 winner, clinched the Best Horse Award, with its owners, Silk Racing, taking home the Best Owner Award. This decision was based on Equinox being the top-rated horse at the Dubai World Cup meeting. Aidan O’Brien was named Best Trainer after a stellar 2023 season that saw him win 20 Group 1 races. Ryan Moore, O’Brien’s stable jockey, was awarded Best Jockey for his 19 top-level race wins in 2023.

In a historic first for the awards, two individuals were honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award: Colonel Ali Khamis Al Jafleh and Sheikh Abdulla Al Qasemi. Both were recognized for their foundational roles in establishing racing in the UAE. Saeed Bin Suroor received the Excellence Award for his contribution to promoting Dubai racing and training horses in the UAE, underscored by his nine Dubai World Cup victories and numerous global successes.

The People's Choice Award, uniquely determined by public vote, was awarded to Hamdan Sultan Al Sabusi, highlighting the community's active participation in celebrating racing excellence.

The DRC's commitment to recognizing and honoring achievements in horse racing is evident through these awards. The winners are as follows:

The Dubai Racing Club's initiative to celebrate excellence within horse racing not only honors individual and team achievements but also fosters a sense of community and pride among participants and fans alike. These awards serve as a testament to the hard work, dedication, and passion that define the sport of horse racing in the UAE.

With inputs from WAM