The horse Banishing, owned by Saudi Sharaf Mohammed Al-Hariri, achieved a remarkable milestone by winning the title of the second race, the Godolphin Mile, as part of the Dubai World Cup 2026 held at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai on Saturday. This victory is considered a new addition to the record of Saudi equestrianism and reflects the development of this sport in the Kingdom.
Owner Sharaf Al-Hariri expressed his pride in this achievement, stating: "Thank God for this great victory on the night of the Dubai World Cup. I extend my deepest thanks and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince for their unlimited support for equestrian sports." He added: "I sincerely thank the Minister of Sports and the Chairman of the Equestrian Authority for their continuous support and interest, and I dedicate this precious victory to the great Saudi people."
Event Details
The victory came under the guidance of jockey Silvestre De Sousa and the supervision of trainer David Jackson, in the race designated for thoroughbred horses over a distance of 1600 meters on dirt, classified as Grade 2. Banishing demonstrated a strong and decisive performance, finishing the competition in his favor, confirming his presence in one of the highlights of the evening, which had a prize of $1 million.
The Dubai World Cup is considered one of the richest and most important horse races in the world, with a total prize pool of $30.5 million distributed across nine races, featuring horses representing more than 12 countries. The main race leads with a prize of $12 million, making it a prominent event in the global equestrian sports calendar.
Background & Context
It is noteworthy that Sharaf Al-Hariri has a rich record of victories in equestrian sports, having previously been honored by the Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman with the title of the Saudi Cup 2024, after his horse Senor Biscador won the main and prestigious race of the Saudi Cup, which is considered the most expensive horse race in the world. This race was held at the King Abdulaziz Equestrian Field in Janadriyah, amid strong competition from the most famous horses and jockeys, with significant American and Japanese participation.
This achievement reflects the ongoing efforts made by the Kingdom to support equestrian sports and enhances its position on the international stage. It also demonstrates the Saudi leadership's commitment to developing this sport, which is considered part of the Kingdom's cultural heritage.
Impact & Consequences
The victory of Banishing in the Godolphin Mile is seen as evidence of the development of equestrian sports in Saudi Arabia, reinforcing the Kingdom's status as a major destination for global horse racing. This success could encourage further investments in this sector, contributing to the enhancement of sports tourism in the Kingdom.
Moreover, this achievement strengthens the cultural and economic ties between Saudi Arabia and other countries, as horse racing is a sport that combines ancient traditions with modernity. This success is expected to attract more global sporting events to the Kingdom.
Regional Significance
The victory of Banishing is a source of pride not only for Saudi Arabia but for the entire Arab region. This achievement showcases the ability of Arab countries to compete in global sports arenas and enhances the region's image as a distinguished sports destination.
This success also reflects the progress made by Arab countries in various fields, including sports, contributing to the enhancement of Arab identity on the international stage. The support for equestrian sports in Saudi Arabia serves as a model for other Arab countries, demonstrating how cultural heritage can meet modern development.
In conclusion, the victory of Banishing is an achievement added to the list of successes that the Kingdom is achieving in the field of equestrianism, reinforcing its position as a sports power in the region and the world.