The second stage of the Global Champions Arabians Tour delivered an unforgettable spectacle at the stunning Katara Cultural Village, where world-class competition and rich cultural heritage converged from 5-8 February. Over the course of four thrilling days, the event welcomed thousands of visitors, including international guests and esteemed Qatari royals, further cementing Doha’s position as a premier destination for Arabian horse excellence.
With a packed grandstand and a world-class lineup of over 200 competitors, the show concluded with a spectacular closing ceremony. Gold Senior Male Champion Alexxanderr (Excalibur EA x AR Most Irresistible), owned by Al Sayed Stud, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, was crowned following a breathtaking display featuring a powerful Daf instrument performance and dancing, along with a dazzling fireworks show and an innovative 2000-strong drone display, which lit up the Doha skyline, reflected in the glistening water of the Arabian Gulf.
Competition in Doha was fierce, with new contenders and Tour regulars vying to earn their points in this prestigious series, which boasts an overall prize fund of over €24,000,000 across both the Europe/Middle East and the Americas series, as well as the World Arabian Horse Championship Supreme.
Arabella al Shahania (ex Assilah al Shahania) secured the first gold of Doha for HH Sheikha Yasmeen M K Al Thani of Al Shahania Stud, Qatar. Sired by LR Solo Mio (AJ Radman x LR Buena Mia), this refined yearling filly won the hearts of all judges with a unanimous vote for top honours. Qatar’s Al Jumail Stud clinched the Silver title with Delayel Alsayed (Alexxanderr x Delights Divah RB), who placed second to Arabella in the fourth yearling filly qualifying class. The winner of the third class, Khuzama Ajmal (Marquis CAHR x Myriam el Khatib) secured Bronze for Saudi Arabia’s Ajmal Stud, owned by Turki Alothman.
Yearling colt Al Fahad Mas (ex Al Bandary MS) took Gold for Al Jumail Stud of Qatar with eight votes for the top spot. Handled by Miles Buckley, the grey colt sired by Alexxanderr scored 91.86 in the qualifier on day one. Silver went to Sharar Almanhal (M Munther x Shams Almanhal), who was recently purchased by Qatar’s SK Arabians following a gold title at GCAT Ajman last month. Fal (AJ Radman x Farfalla HHC) followed with a Bronze title for Almirqab Farm, Qatar.
Shahalel al Shaqab (Na’mous al Shahania x Siwar al Shaqab) took her second Junior Female Gold of GCAT 2025 with a win for Al Shaqab Stud, Qatar, and handler Arnauld Mertens. Al Wajba Stud’s homebred filly, Expectations Alwajba (Excalibur EA x Expected Beauty), took Silver with Raphael Curti, while Shahbrys HVP (Royal Asad x Rebecca HVP) followed in Bronze for Ajmal Stud from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
As for the colts, Alwajba Stud claimed gold with LR Anselmo (RFI Unique x LL Almudena), a three-year-old colt bred by Las Rosas Estancia SRL of Uruguay. During the award ceremony, GCAT Global Partners, Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, an Assets Group company, presented the owners with a stay at the luxurious island resort. D Borkan (FA el Rasheem x D Ajayeb), who finished top of the male rankings in 2024 as a yearling, took Silver for Dubai Arabian Horse Stud. Qatar’s Al Thamer Stud followed in the Bronze medal position with D Hayel (D Shakhat x D Jawaher).
Returning to the ring after a two-year hiatus, former World Champion Mozn Albidayer (S.M.A. Magic One x Mattaharii) took Gold in the Senior Female Championship for owners Alwajba Stud of Qatar, following a class win on Friday. All but one of the eleven judges voted her for gold. Silver went to Ajman Stud’s Al Aryam Banafsaj (Dominic M x Al Aryam Basma) and Bronze to Al Shaqab Stud’s beauty, D Beisan (D Seraj x RAH Rosalia).
Following Alexxanderr’s impressive victory in the Senior Male Championship with ten out of eleven votes for gold, Silver went to Amaar (RFI Farid x Adiya) for Almirqab Stud of Qatar handled by Giacomo Capacci. Bronze went to Hleetan Stud’s Berlin MP (S.M.A. Magic One x Baraka MP), bred in the USA by Mindy Peters.
Alongside the impressive prize money on offer, the gold Senior Female and Male champions were awarded a Mercedes-Benz by GCAT Doha’s Official Automotive Partner, proudly presented by NBK Group’s Chairman, H.E. Sheikh Nawaf Bin Nasser Al Thani, plus a Purnell watch, courtesy of Local Partner, Ali Bin Ali Group.
As the Tour moves to the third stop of the Europe and Middle East series, which will take place from 6-8 March in Muscat, Oman, Shahalel al Shaqab retains her place at the top of the Female Ranking, while Sharar Almanhal moves to the top of the Male Rankings. Following a hat trick of gold medals, Raphael Curti moves to the top of the Handler Overall Rankings with 110 points.
Before Muscat, the debut show of the Americas series will take place in the heart of Arabian horse country – Scottsdale, Arizona, USA – on 18-20 February as the first stop of a five-stage tour, which includes Miami Beach, São Paulo, Brandon and Las Vegas.
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About the Global Champions Arabians Tour
Inaugurated in 2024, the Global Champions Arabians Tour is an exclusive Arabian Horse Championship series, taking place in state-of-the-art venues in iconic locations and offering the highest prize money in the sport’s history. Its mission is to promote the uniqueness of purebred Arabian horses through an international platform, fostering a legacy of excellence, transparency, fairness and integrity.
