A’Seeb: Today, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik presided over the Royal Horse Racing Festival held at the Madinat Al Adiyat racecourse in the Wilayat of A’Seeb, located in the Governorate of Muscat.
Before His Majesty's arrival, a contingent from the Royal Camel Corps was stationed and accompanied the Royal motorcade to the entrance of Madinat Al Adiyat. The motorcade was then flanked by units from the Royal Cavalry and the Royal Guard of Oman (RGO), providing an escort from the entrance to the main dais.
Upon reaching Madinat Al Adiyat, His Majesty was warmly welcomed by several officials, including 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 His Majesty ascended the main dais, the musical band performed the Royal Anthem.
The festival commenced with a welcoming show featuring spectacular performances by Omani folklore troupes, alongside dancing horses and camels. These acts celebrated traditional arts known locally as “Al Nadba,” “Hambal Al Khail,” “Qasafi Al Razha,” and “Muhurab Al Khail,” in addition to folk arts such as “Hambal Al Razha” and “Al Bar’ah.”
In the 5th round of the “Al Adiyat Race” for pure Arabian horses, a 2,000-meter race, His Majesty the Sultan’s Horse Racing Cup was awarded to “Soko,” owned by the Royal Cavalry and ridden by jockey Michael Forest. The second position was secured by “RB Blast Off,” owned by HH Sayyid Saud bin Harib Al Said and jockeyed by Adam Al Balushi, while “Suny Du Loup,” also owned by the Royal Cavalry and ridden by Cannor Beasley, finished in third place.
In the initial round, titled the “Al Muriyat Race” for pure Arabian horses, a 1,100-metre event exclusively for female jockeys of the Royal Cavalry, the top position was secured by “Atheer,” with Maather Al Shamakhi as the rider. The second spot was claimed by “Al Tariq,” ridden by Asmahan Al Balushi, while “Al Mouna,” with Hiba Al Rahbi in the saddle, took third place.
This was succeeded by a series of displays from both male and female riders of the Royal Cavalry, showcasing a range of equestrian disciplines and skills, such as tent pegging, mounted archery, sleigh and troika techniques, show-jumping, and dressage involving both horses and camels.
In the subsequent round, known as the “Al Mughairat Race” for pure Arabian horses, also a 1,100-metre contest, the first prize was awarded to “Amusylah,” owned by the Royal Cavalry and ridden by Al Moatasem Al Balushi. The second position went to “Al Araiq,” also owned by the Royal Cavalry and jockeyed by Muanis Al Seyabi, while “RB Sdeik,” owned by HH Sayyida Thuraiya Thuwaini Al Said and ridden by Abdulaziz Al Balushi, finished in third place.
Following this, a horse parade art exhibition, referred to locally as “Ardhat Al Khail,” took place. Additionally, a group of school students, including children with hearing disabilities and Down syndrome, performed a tribute titled “Thanks and Gratitude to His Majesty the Sultan,” accompanied by the song “Knight of the Nation.”
The third round of racing, called the “Al Qadihat Race” for pure Arabian horses, was a 1,600-metre event. The first place was taken by “Muthabir,” owned by the Royal Cavalry and jockeyed by Saif Al Balushi. The second position was secured by “RB Kinsman,” owned by HH Sayyid Saud bin Harib Al Said and ridden by Khalid Al Balushi, while “RB Yas Man,” owned by HH Sayyid Shihab bin Harib Al Said and ridden by Amer Al Rasbi, finished third.
Following the conclusion of the third round, the Royal Cavalry organized a parade featuring various segments of equestrian pageantry, including the display of “Al Sawlajan” (the mace). This was succeeded by a horse relay race, an exhibition of equestrian skills, and a showcase of swift horse and camel carriages.
The male and female jockeys of the Royal Cavalry also showcased the elegance of Arabian horses, participated in a mace game, and engaged in a basketball match while mounted.
In the fourth round, titled “Al Safinat Race” for pure Arabian horses, a 1,600-meter race was designated for citizen-owned horses. The horse “Jethjath,” owned by Abdullah Al Maamari and ridden by Amer Al Rasbi, secured first place. The second position was claimed by “Al Grain,” owned by Taher Al Khalili and ridden by Muanis Al Seyabi, while “RB Free Bird,” owned by Khalid Al Balushi and jockeyed by Anas Al Seyabi, took third place.
This was followed by an entertaining race for young riders, a joint fun race for children on ponies, and a playful race featuring white donkey carts and bicycles.
To the rhythm of music, the “Al Ardha horses” formed the number “11” in honor of January 11th, the day of His Majesty the Sultan’s accession. A musical band also created the name of His Majesty the Sultan (Haitham) and formed the number (2020) to commemorate the year His Majesty took power, along with the name (Al Adiyat) in the parade ground's backyard. Subsequently, a demonstration of skills involving laydown horses and camels was presented.
The festival concluded with all participants assembling on the parade ground to perform “Al Azi,” a traditional Omani art form that expresses love for the homeland and loyalty to the leader. Following this, the participants sang the “finale anthem” as a carriage drawn by 55 horses paraded in front of the Royal dais, marking a historic first and celebrating the 55th anniversary of Oman’s blessed Renaissance. The procession also featured carriages from the Royal Camel Corps.
Subsequently, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik awarded trophies to the top race winners. A musical band then played the Royal Anthem, signifying the end of the festival's events.
At the conclusion of the festival, His Majesty the Sultan received a commemorative gift from Nasr bin Hamoud Al Kindi, Secretary General of the Royal Court Affairs.
The Royal Horse Racing Festival was graced by the presence of members of the Royal Family, dignitaries from the Al Busaid family, the Chairmen of the State Council and the Shura Council, various ministers and advisers, commanders of the Sultan's Armed Forces (SAF) and the Royal Oman Police (ROP), heads of diplomatic missions accredited to Oman, as well as members of the State Council and the Shura Council, undersecretaries, judges, senior officers, equestrian sports enthusiasts, students, and citizens.
