Our WAHO Live! Abu Dhabi 2025 coverage has been kindly sponsored by Rifat Arabians Australia.
Saturday 12 April
All the days are becoming muddled now – and we are all but at the end of our WAHO Live! coverage for 2025. I do hope you have enjoyed it, and maybe have a taste for joining WAHO to come along and experience a conference for yourselves? You can find out all you need to do so at the WAHO website.
Right, onto yesterday! It was a wonderful day, and began at the oldest souk in Dubai, Al Fahidi Heritage Souk, named after a nearby 18th century fortress. The buildings here were saved by the now King Charles II when he asked Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the then ruler of Dubai, not to tear down the buildings saying that they would, in the future, appreciate the history. Sheikh Rashid listened, and the area remains wonderfully preserved in a city known for its modern architecture.
The souk was wonderful, all back lanes and products made anywhere but China, and I think we all could have spent a lot longer there than we did – and more money! There were wonderful spices, clothing, bags, lamps, gifts… All you could think to want, and more!
It was then back onto the bus and to Dubai Arabian Stud. This would be the only official show horse visit of the trip. Anticipation was high – and Dubai Arabian Stud did not disappoint.
We were welcomed into the large indoor arena and settled in with cold drinks and juices before the parade began. 62 mares were listed, with 61 shown, and many of them had foals at foot. The mares came out in family groups, which was wonderful, starting with the straight Egyptian lines. Suffice to say, I will be doing a full report from this event – with proper photographs – as it was incredible to see all the horses together.
While Dubai Arabian Stud may be known for their show horses, we saw many mares and fillies not normally seen, and they were all relaxed and happy. As a treat at the end, FA el Rasheem and D Seraj made an appearance, much to the delight of all, and it was the perfect end to the perfect day.
Today was a visit to Al Reef Stables, and tonight is Abu Dhabi racing. I will have coverage from both soon, but I spent this morning revisiting Al Aryam Arabians. When I first came to the Middle East in 2006, HH Sheikh Hamdan and Al Aryam Arabians welcomed me to their farm and I was the only journalist to visit there for a great many years. Going there is always special, and today was the only day they could do. I was able to take my parents with me, which was lovely after all these years of visiting, and it was a treat of a morning.
This evening, I am off to a private presentation at Al Firas Stud, managed by my long-time friend Barry Shepherd. I haven’t seen Barry in over two years, and I don’t know whether I am more excited to see him or Al Firas Stud horses!
And – that is it! WAHO Live! Abu Dhabi 2025 is a wrap! There will be many more reports to follow – Dubai Arabian Stud open house, Al Ain and Abu Dhabi Racing, Al Reef Stables, plus a deeper look into WAHO and the tours themselves.
A huge thank you once more to HH Sheikh Mansour, HH Sheikh Zayed and the EAHS for their incredible support in bringing so many people from around the world together. And a thank you to Rifat Arabians Australia for sponsoring this coverage. I hope you have all enjoyed.
