BARKA, OCT 18
The opening race of the 2025/2026 Oman Horse Racing Season kicked off today at the Al Rahba racecourse in the Wilayat of Barka, organised by the Oman Equestrian and Racing Federation OERF, the event witnessed a vibrant turnout of fans and a strong participation from leading stables, trainers and jockeys across the Sultanate of Oman.
Marking the official start of the new racing calendar, the event featured eight competitive races covering distances of 1200 and 1600 metres , the programme included races for Purebred Arabian horses, locally bred Arabians and Thoroughbreds, with each category displaying impressive performances and close finishes.
In the first race for locally bred Purebred Arabians over 1,600 metres , Atlal Al Saif, trained by Mohammed bin Hamad al Hajri ridden by Saleh bin Salim al Marri, claimed first place, Kasab GM, trained by Hisham bin Zaid al Rasbi, finished second, followed by S S R Shaklan, trained by Yahya bin Hamad al Busaidy, in third.
The second race for Purebred Arabians over 1,600 metres saw Sarih Manlou, trained by Hamad bin Saleh al Hajri ridden by Issa bin Mohammed al Balushi, secure the top spot, while Rabih N S and RB Jefdad came in second and third respectively.
In the third race for Thoroughbreds over 1,600 metres, Thunder Doro, trained by Musa bin Mohammed al Balushi and ridden by Issa bin Mohammed al Balushi, took first place, followed by Prima Summer in second and Future Vision in third.
The fourth race for Purebred Arabians over 1,600 metres was won by RB Bestif trained by Nasser bin Hamad al Qatiti and ridden by Ahmed bin Salim al Siyabi, Basha and Al Areeq followed in second and third places respectively.
In the fifth race, reserved for three year old Purebred Arabians over 1,200 metres, Al Muqdam, representing the Royal Cavalry of Oman, claimed victory under the training of Mohammed bin Issa al Balushi and the riding of Moanes bin Salim al Siyabi, Ramz Ibra and Moajizat Izki finished second and third respectively.
The final races of the day concluded with Hadajah winning the sixth race, Cross the Ocean taking the seventh, and Saad sealing victory in the eighth and final race.
Speaking after the event, trainer Mohammed bin Issa al Balushi expressed his pride at achieving success in his first official race representing the Royal Cavalry, stating “It was an exciting debut filled with strong competition among the stables, this win motivates us for a promising season ahead.” The second race of the season is scheduled to take place on Friday, October 24, at Al Rahba racecourse in Barka, continuing the federation’s rich calendar of equestrian events.
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