Royal Arabs presented to Russia
Three Arab race horses, estimated to be worth around £2.5million, have been presented to the Russian president by the King of Jordan
Arab horse racing looks set to take off in Russia this year when a four-month season begins in May at Moscow’s central hippodrome, according to the Times newspaper.
The sport has received a big boost from a gift by King Abdullah of Jordan to Russian president Vladimir Putin of three Arab horses – two stallions and a mare.
The hippodrome, the largest racecourse in Russia, is reported to be enjoying a “renaissance” under the management of Vladimir Zhukovsky.
The Times quotes Zhukovsky as saying that he expects the course to receive almost £2 million from betting over the four-month season.
He hopes to create “Moscow’s equivalent of Ascot”.
Over the season, 70 horses will take part in 20 races, with prize money in the region of £200,000.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Arab horses have been bred in Russia since 1960 when President Nasser of Eqypt presented former Soviet leader, Nikita Khrushchev, with an Arab stallion.
Until now, Arab horse races have taken place only in the warmer southern towns of Pyatigorsk and Rostov-on-Don.
Read more about Arab horses:
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
