Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik Presides Over Royal Horse Racing Festival in Muscat

On January 7, 2025, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik presided over the remarkable Royal Horse Racing Festival, held at the Madinat Al Adiyat racecourse within the Wilayat of A’Seeb, Muscat Governorate. The competition, which showcased Oman’s rich cultural and equestrian traditions, additionally celebrated His Majesty’s dedication to the upkeep of Omani heritage and the improvement of equestrian sports activities inside the country.

A Grand Royal Welcome

The festivities started out with a grand display, because the Royal Camel Corps led the procession, accompanying the Royal motorcade to the racecourse gates. Upon His Majesty’s arrival, he become warmly welcomed by using a prominent organization of officers, consisting of Nasr bin Hamoud Al Kindi, Secretary General of the Royal Court Affairs, Eng. Hilal bin Mohammed Al Wa’eli, Head of Royal Horses, Camels, Farms and Parks Affairs, and Dr. Sarhan bin Salim Al Zeidi, Director General of the Royal Cavalry.

As the Sultan ascended the primary dais, the Royal Anthem became performed by way of a musical band, marking the professional begin of the pageant. The welcoming rite became highlighted with the aid of colourful Omani folklore performances and beautiful displays by dancing horses and camels. These performances included conventional Omani arts together with “Al Nadba,” “Hambal Al Khail,” “Qasafi Al Razha,” and “Muhurab Al Khail,” in addition to people art indicates like “Hambal Al Razha” and “Al Bar’ah”.

Horse Racing Events: A Show of Skill and Tradition

The His Majesty the Sultan’s Horse Racing Cup became the spotlight of the day, as it featured the 5th round of the “Al Adiyat Race” for pure Arabian horses, a prestigious 2,000-meter race. The race turned into fiercely contested, and “Soko,” owned by using the Royal Cavalry, emerged triumphant, ridden with the aid of Michael Forest. “RB Blast Off”, owned by way of HH Sayyid Saud bin Harib Al Said and ridden by using Adam Al Balushi, completed in second place, at the same time as “Suny Du Loup,” also owned by using the Royal Cavalry and jockeyed via Cannor Beasley, secured 1/3 vicinity.

In the primary round, the “Al Muriyat Race”, dedicated solely to woman jockeys of the Royal Cavalry, saw “Atheer” triumph, ridden by way of Maather Al Shamakhi. “Al Tariq”, jockeyed by using Asmahan Al Balushi, claimed second area, even as “Al Mouna”, ridden by using Hiba Al Rahbi, completed in 0.33. The attention on empowering girl riders underscored the competition’s inclusivity and commitment to supporting girls in equestrian sports activities.

A Feast of Equestrian Skills and Cultural Displays

The festival persisted with an array of equestrian performances. The Royal Cavalry’s male and female riders showcased their numerous competencies, which includes tent pegging, mounted archery, show-jumping, and horse and camel dressage. These displays of ability had been met with applause from the audience, reflecting Oman’s lengthy-standing equestrian traditions.

In the second one round, the “Al Mughairat Race” was a tightly contested 1,a hundred-meter occasion, with “Amusylah”, owned with the aid of the Royal Cavalry and ridden via Al Moatasem Al Balushi, taking first region. “Al Araiq”, ridden by Muanis Al Seyabi, got here second, at the same time as “RB Sdeik”, jockeyed with the aid of Abdulaziz Al Balushi, claimed third place.

The pageant additionally featured a horse parade artwork show referred to as “Ardhat Al Khail,” observed by using an emotional overall performance by using school youngsters, consisting of those with listening to disabilities and Down syndrome. The kids completed a heartfelt tribute, “Thanks and Gratitude to His Majesty the Sultan,” observed via the track “Knight of the Nation,” showing the deep love and admire Omani residents have for their leader.

Racing Continues with More Thrilling Events

The third spherical, the “Al Qadihat Race,” changed into some other exciting event for natural Arabian horses, with a 1,six hundred-meter race. “Muthabir,” owned with the aid of the Royal Cavalry and ridden by using Saif Al Balushi, clinched the primary region, followed with the aid of “RB Kinsman” and “RB Yas Man”, which secured 2nd and 1/3 locations respectively.

The event was similarly enriched with a parade featuring horse splendor pageantry, the conventional “Al Sawlajan” (the mace), and a horse relay race display. The Royal Cavalry additionally executed beautiful exhibitions of speedy horse and camel carriages and equine talents, such as the mace sport and a unique basketball game on horseback.

In the fourth round, the “Al Safinat Race” for horses owned by using Omani citizens noticed “Jethjath”, owned through Abdullah Al Maamari and ridden by Amer Al Rasbi, take first vicinity. “Al Grain”, owned with the aid of Taher Al Khalili, completed 2d, while “RB Free Bird”, owned by using Khalid Al Balushi, took 1/3.

The festival additionally covered fun races for young riders and youngsters, which includes races on ponies, white donkey carts, and bicycles.

Cultural Tributes and Closing Ceremony

As the competition reached its end, the “Al Ardha horses” shaped the wide variety “eleven” in birthday celebration of His Majesty the Sultan’s accession on January eleven. The Royal Cavalry additionally fashioned the name “Haitham”, and the variety 2020, marking the yr Sultan Haitham ascended to strength.

The remaining tableau saw all participants line up for a marvelous finale, appearing the traditional Omani artwork of “Al Azi,” expressing love for the fatherland and loyalty to the Sultan. The finale covered a grand procession, presenting a carriage pulled via 55 horses, marking the 55th anniversary of Oman’s blessed Renaissance, and showcasing the Royal Camel Corps.

In the final act, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik supplied the awards to the pinnacle winners of the races. The day concluded with a performance of the Royal Anthem with the aid of a musical band.

An Event of National Significance

The Royal Horse Racing Festival turned into attended by means of senior individuals of the Royal Family, Al Busaid dignitaries, ministers, military officers, diplomats, and lots of Omani residents. The event turned into a party of Oman’s background, equine subculture, and the leadership of Sultan Haitham. It established the Sultanate’s dedication to maintaining its cultural traditions even as fostering the development of present day equestrian sports activities.