BARKA: At the behest of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, HH Sayyid Bilarab bin Haitham al Said presided over the Annual Royal Cavalry Horse Race at the Al Rahba Racecourse in the Wilayat of Barka on Wednesday. The event was organised by the the Royal Court Affairs (RCA) through the Royal Cavalry.
The horse Falah was crowned winner of the His Majesty the Sultan's Cup, after claiming first place in the fifth and main race.
Falah, owned by HH Sayyid Shihab bin Harib al Said, triumphed in the Wilayat of Barka race for purebred Arabian horses over a distance of 2,000 metres. Royal Cavalry horses Saad and Sani Du Loup took second and third places respectively.
Trainer Ahmed bin Ibrahim al Balushi, who prepared Falah for the race, said the victory was the result of early and careful preparation. “Falah was our top candidate for winning the most prestigious cup from the very beginning. We prepared him specifically for this major race.”
Ahmed al Balushi praised the Royal Cavalry for the excellent organisation. He also expressed hope for an increase in the number of races allocated to local owners, as well as the introduction of races for thoroughbred horses to further develop the sport.
During the ceremony, HH Sayyid Bilarab officially unveiled the new visual identity of the Royal Cavalry’s Annual Horse Race, designed as a permanent logo for future editions. The logo features the Royal Crown embodied by two facing horse heads, symbolising the Sultanate of Oman’s deep rooted heritage in horsemanship and appears in dark purple and golden brown tones.
The event featured a variety of equestrian displays, including horseback archery, traditional performances associated with horse culture in Al Batinah South Governorate, and a special segment titled 'Insight of a Knight', showcasing the inspiring experience of a visually impaired Omani youth and his bond with horses. Additional displays included horse beauty shows and miniature horse carriage performances.
FIVE RACES
The Annual Royal Cavalry Horse Race featured five competitive races. In the opening race for over 1,200 metres, Al Muhaib claimed first under rider Ramla bint Khalil al Zadjaliyah, followed by Hamsa and Mabhoor.
The second race saw Yasira, owned by the Royal Cavalry, secure first place, ahead of Amsila and Al Muqaddam.
In the third race over 1,600 metres, Bakeer, owned by HH Sayyidah Noora bint Mohammed al Said, took top honours, with Al Reem finishing second and RB Kinzman third.
The fourth race, dedicated to locally owned horses, was won by Madhmoon of Al Reef Stud, followed by Dawi and Izmir De Carrier.
The main fifth race concluded with Falah winning His Majesty’s Cup, ahead of Saad and Sunny Du Loup.
IDEAL CONDITIONS
Trainer Majid al Farsi commented on the conditions, noting that the track surface was well suited for shorter distances and that the horses showed strong readiness.
Meanwhile, Ishaq bin Hatem al Maamari, owner of Al Afaq Racing Stables, described the competition as challenging, explaining that most horses were accustomed to longer distances. "The 1,600 metres race requires stronger acceleration, especially on a dirt surface where horses that usually run on turf compete.”
In a brief statement, Nasr bin Hamoud al Kindi, Secretary-General of the Royal Court Affairs, affirmed that horse racing and equestrian sports in Oman continue to receive strong support from His Majesty the Sultan, contributing to the preservation of purebred Arabian horse bloodlines and the promotion of equestrian culture across Oman.
The event concluded with the awarding of prizes to the winners and the recognition of supporting entities, in an evening that highlighted Oman’s rich equestrian heritage and ongoing efforts to develop horse racing and support owners, trainers and riders.
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