E.S. Harir and AJ Kayya Remain Undefeated - GCAT | Valkenswaard

 

E.S. Harir, this time for owners Al Saqran Stud of Kuwait.

 

E.S. Harir and AJ Kayya Remain Undefeated After the Fifth Stage of the Global Champions Arabians Tour 

Valkenswaard, Netherlands – 21 July 2024 - It was a full house for the final day of the Global Champions Arabians Tour’s fifth stage in Valkenswaard, the equestrian epicentre of the Netherlands. With an electric atmosphere, the top five Arabian horses from the qualifying classes battled for a place in the medals, and the all-important ranking points.

Throughout the two-day spectacular show, guests worldwide witnessed 121 horses from 16 countries compete for top honours in the top-class facilities at Longines Tops International Arena, which had been transformed into an orange wonderland, seamlessly fusing Dutch and Arabic cultures.

The competition in Valkenswaard was intense, with many of the top-ranking horses from the first four stages in Doha, Abu Dhabi, Muscat and Cannes looking to retain the top position on the tour leaderboard, edging them one step closer to the €1,000,000 prize for the leading horse of 2024.

Sultana Al Thamer, an exquisite bay yearling filly sired by Dominic M, took her first gold for Qatar’s Al Thamer Stud, bettering her silver in Muscat and bronze in Abu Dhabi. Handled by Giacomo Capacci, she won her class with 92.21 points and received six votes for gold, leading her to glory.

Afreen Al Shaqab continued his unbeatable record in the Tour, taking gold in the Yearling Colt Championship for Al Shaqab Stud with Raphael Curti on the end of the lead. Also with six votes for gold, he pipped current leading Male D Borkan into the top spot.

In the Junior Fillies Championship, Dubai Stud’s D Najla stole the hearts of the judging panel to take another gold title, following silver medals in Cannes, Muscat and Doha and a gold medal in Abu Dhabi.

 
RD Rajan for Hanaya Stud

 

As for the Junior Males, RD Rajan made a return to the ring to reign victorious in Valkenswaard for Hanaya Stud of Switzerland, scoring 93 points in his class and taking ten votes for Gold.

AJ Kayya continued her incredible journey to take the Senior Mare Championship for the U.A.E.’s Ajman Stud for the fifth time in a row and stays at the top of the Female Leaderboard with 100 points.

The Senior Stallion Championship title went again to E.S. Harir, this time for owners Al Saqran Stud of Kuwait. This 13-year-old stallion sired by AJ Dinar remains undefeated, and only a brief absence from the Abu Dhabi stage has kept him off the top of the Male Leaderboard.

 

After the fifth stage of this seven-part tour, the top three leading females, males and handlers are as follows:

Top Females:

• 1st - AJ Kayya, owned and bred by Ajman Stud – H.H. Sheikh Ammar Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi (U.A.E.) on 100 points
• 2nd - D Nafayes, owned and bred by Dubai Arabian Horse Stud (U.A.E.) on 94 points
• 3rd - D Najlah, owned and bred by Dubai Arabian Horse Stud (U.A.E.) on 91 points 

 Top Males:

• 1st - D Borkan, owned and bred by Dubai Arabian Horse Stud (U.A.E.) on 88 points
• 2nd - D Shakhar, owned and bred by Dubai Arabian Horse Stud (U.A.E.) on 81 points
• 3rd - E.S. Harir, owned by Al Saqran Stud (Kuwait) and bred by Sheikh Abdulla Bin Majid Alqassemi on 80 points

 Top Handlers:

• 1st - Paolo Capecci on 276 points
• 2nd - Glenn Schoukens on 251 points
• 3rd - Raphael Curti on 245 points

 

 

The Tour of Europe continues, with the next stop on this seven-part series
taking place in Rome’s historical Circus Maximus from 04-05 September 2024.