The horse Molfit was crowned champion of the UAE President’s Cup for Purebred Arabian Horses at its twelfth leg in Turkiye, held on Sunday at Veliefendi Racecourse in Istanbul, within the calendar of the 33rd edition of the Prestigious Cup.
The Cup series is staged with the support of His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, reflecting his considerable commitment to developing the Arabian horse racing industry, supporting owners and breeders in countries around the world, and encouraging them to acquire and breed the Arabian horse and to elevate its standing at the most important international racecourses.
Molfit (by Al Mourtajez out of Djezabel des Forges), carrying the colours of Wathnan Racing, trained by Francois Rohaut and ridden by Faleh Nasser Bughenaim, delivered a distinguished performance at the final turn, launching powerfully and advancing with steady authority until he overtook pace-setter Allie Saint Lon, extending his advantage and holding the lead firmly through to the title.
The champion covered the race distance in a time of 1:43.36, recording his third career victory and adding the Turkey leg title of the Prestigious Cup to his record, finishing three lengths clear of runner-up Allie Saint Lon.
Allie Saint Lon finished in second place, while Azimli came home third and Kahraman Oglu finished fourth. Oztatmar completed the first five finishers.
Molfit joins the roll of champions of the Turkey leg, which was inaugurated in 2024. Berkinin Kızı claimed the title of the inaugural edition, before the mare RB Mary Lylah took the title in 2025, and Molfit now writes his name into the record as champion of the 2026 edition, giving Wathnan Racing the Turkey leg title for the second consecutive year. The Turkish leg of the prestigious cup witnessed a massive turnout reaching the 15 thousands spectator.
The race and the crowning of winners were attended by Saeed Thani Hareb Juma Al Dhaheri, Ambassador of the UAE to Turkiye, and Faisal Al Rahmani, Secretary-General of the Higher Organizing Committee of the UAE President’s Cup for Purebred Arabian Horses, alongside representatives of the Turkish Jockey Club and the management of Veliefendi Racecourse.
Musalam Salem Al Amri, Member of the Higher Organizing Committee of the UAE President’s Cup for Purebred Arabian Horses, said: ‘We extend our sincerest thanks and appreciation to Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, for his continuous support and patronage of the Prestigious Cup series, which represents the fundamental pillar of the global successes it achieves at its various legs, and contributes to strengthening the standing of the Arabian horse and its presence at the most important international racecourses.”
He added: ‘We are proud of the distinguished success of the Turkey leg and the strong presence the Prestigious Cup achieved in Istanbul, and of the advanced competitive and technical standard the race demonstrated. We also extend our thanks to the Turkish Jockey Club and the management of Veliefendi Racecourse for their warm hospitality and the organisational efforts that helped deliver a leg befitting the standing and global reputation of the event.’