A rider celebrates after the horse race in Rabia, west of Mosul, during a gathering that brought together competitors from across Iraq. (Photo: 964media)
Nineveh
Horse racing event in Rabia draws elite riders from across Iraq
NINEVEH — Horse racing fans gathered in Rabia, west of Mosul, for a spirited competition that brought together top riders from across Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region, Basra, Najaf, and Salah Al-Din. The “Asayel” race for purebred Arabian horses saw a strong showing, with jockey Farhan Ayed taking first place.
Event organizer Hadi Ayed told 964media that the race featured elite participants from around the country. “We helped organize this important race that brought together elite riders from Basra to Kurdistan and Nineveh. The competition was strong, and the performance level was very impressive,” he said.
In the Asayel round, the mare Ata’a, ridden by Ayed, won first place. Muthir, ridden by Sahib Uday of Baghdad Club, came in second, while Al-Bayariq, ridden by Amir Halim from Salah Al-Din, placed third.
“The results for the local-breed race have not yet been announced,” Ayed noted. “The riders started before the signal, and the committee is still reviewing the details before confirming the outcome.”
The Champions Race was hosted in Al-Bazouna village within Rabia subdistrict and featured two rounds: a WAHO-sanctioned round for purebred Arabian horses and a local round, according to Sultan Al-Qaddouri, head of the Al-Kuwer Riders Association.
Al-Qaddouri said 17 riders participated in the WAHO round and 23 horses competed in the local round. He added that the event drew a large crowd, including guests from outside Iraq such as Kuwaiti equestrian Hamad Al-Lahem, as well as Najaf’s Bandar Al-Khuzaali and Dr. Ali Al-Shammari.
Participants came from a wide range of Iraqi cities and governorates, including Erbil, Najaf, Salah Al-Din, Al-Kuwer, and Mosul.
“We came from Basra to be among our brothers in Mosul,” said Mahmoud Al-Mulla, head of equestrian competitions in Basra. “This is not our first visit — we traveled hundreds of kilometers to attend this festival on the land of purebred Arabian horses, beloved Mosul, the Mother of Two Springs.”
Al-Mulla cited Islamic teachings in support of equestrian sports. “The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him and his family, said, ‘Teach your children horseback riding, archery, and swimming.’ We are here to live by that saying and will continue to support such activities across Iraq.”
Rider Helen Al-Khayala from Sulaymaniyah described the event as “a wonderful race and beautiful gathering,” adding that equestrian sports in Iraq lack both local and national support. She thanked the Shammar, Juhaysh, and Al-Kuwer riding associations for organizing the race.
Mosul Club rider Hammoud Al-Shammari said he competed with the mare Bayariq in the Shammar Knights race. Omar Sultan, representing Salah Al-Din, said he participated under the Al-Hajjaj Riders Association alongside horse owner Muthanna Sultan. “We attended the Champions Race in Rabia, Nineveh, on Oct. 10,” he said.