Final Cup glory for RB Yas Man in Barka showpiece

Al Rahba Racecourse in the Wilayat of Barka hosted the season’s closing horse racing event in a vibrant and festive atmosphere under the auspices of Dr Khamis bin Saif al Jabri, Minister of Economy, on Saturday. The event featured five competitive races for purebred Arabian and Thoroughbred horses, drawing strong participation and a notable crowd of racing enthusiasts.
The opening race, the 'University of Nizwa Cup' for three-year-old purebred Arabians over 2,000 metres, was won by the colt 'Ibraz Malik', owned by Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Abdulrahman, trained by Mohammed bin Suleiman al Balushi, and ridden by Hamad bin Sultan al Malki.
In the second race, the 'University of Sharqiyah Cup' over 2,000 metres for purebred Arabians, 'Gillian' secured first place for owner Saleh bin Ali al Ghanboosi, under trainer Amer bin Salem al Ghanimi, with jockey Al Moatasim bin Said al Balushi.
The third race, the 'Muscat University Cup' for Thoroughbreds over 2,000 metres, saw 'Ode to Duty' claim victory. The horse is owned by Majid bin Ali al Maamari, trained by Mousa bin Mohammed al Balushi, and ridden by Amer bin Ali al Rasbi.

SOHAR UNIVERSITY CUP
The highlight of the event came in the fourth race, the 'Sohar University Cup – Final Cup' for purebred Arabians over 2,000 metres, where 'RB Yas Man' delivered a standout performance to take first place. The horse is owned by Saud bin Harib al Said, trained by Ahmed bin Ibrahim al Balushi, and ridden by Saif bin Hamad al Balushi.
The fifth and final race, the 'Sultan Qaboos University Cup for Local Production' over 1,600 metres, was won by 'Madmoon', owned by Majid bin Ali al Maamari, trained by Hussein bin Ali al Snaidi, and ridden by Amer bin Ali al Rasbi, marking his second win of the day.
The event also featured a range of inter-race entertainment, including traditional tent pegging displays, equestrian acrobatic performances showcasing riding balance and position changes, and a live musical band performance.
Spectators were also treated to a special appearance by 'Falah', the winner of the prestigious Dubai Kahayla Classic in the United Arab Emirates, who was paraded during the event. Notably, the horse is trained by Ahmed bin Ibrahim al Balushi, the same trainer who captured the final cup.

CAREFUL PREPARATION
Speaking after the race, trainer Ahmed bin Ibrahim al Balushi expressed his satisfaction with winning the main title, saying, “This victory is the result of careful preparation and a well-structured training programme. We focused on bringing the horse to peak physical and tactical readiness, and we are proud to secure the final cup.”
Jockey Amer bin Ali al Rasbi also highlighted the competitive nature of the event, stating, “The races were highly competitive, and achieving two wins reflects the strong teamwork and preparation. We aim to continue delivering strong performances in the upcoming races.”
The closing event marked a successful conclusion to the racing season, reflecting the continued growth and organisation of horse racing in Oman, as well as its cultural and sporting significance.