Latest news with #Purebred
Al Etihad
21-07-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
Emirates Racing Authority announces 2025–2026 season schedule
21 July 2025 15:39 ABU DHABI (WAM)The Emirates Racing Authority (ERA) has announced the official schedule for the 2025–2026 UAE horse racing season, which is set to begin on October 25, 2025 at the Abu Dhabi Turf upcoming season reflects the UAE's ongoing commitment to developing the competitiveness of horse racing, featuring a distinguished lineup of races of both crossbred and purebred on the success of previous seasons, the upcoming calendar reinforces the country's standing as a premier destination on the international horse racing circuit, bolstered by professional organisation and the strong support of the nation's new season includes 64 race meetings across five major racecourses: 16 at Abu Dhabi Turf Club, 14 at Al Ain Racecourse, 11 at Jebel Ali Racecourse, 6 at Sharjah Racecourse, and 16 at Meydan Racecourse, culminating in the world-renowned 'Dubai World Cup.'The season will officially kick off on Saturday, October 25 at Abu Dhabi, followed by Jebel Ali on November 1, Meydan on November 7, Al Ain on November 9, and Sharjah on November Dhabi Turf Club will once again serve as a key venue for prestigious classic races, including the UAE President Cup, one of the region's most prominent events, attracting elite jockeys and owners of Purebred Arabians from across the Meydan remains the UAE's flagship venue and will conclude the season with the Dubai World Cup on March 28, 2026, the most lucrative and anticipated event on the international racing Racecourse will host a number of top-tier races, including His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah Cup, the GCC Cup, His Highness Sharjah Crown Prince Cup, and His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cup (1st leg of the Emirates Sprint Series). Al Ain Racecourse will host Al Ain Mile race day as well as the Marathon Series, while racing in Jebel Ali features Jebel Ali Mile, Jebel Ali Sprint, and Jebel Ali Stakes.
The Independent
09-07-2025
- General
- The Independent
PETA sues American Kennel Club over breeding standards for French bulldogs
Animal rights group PETA has sued the American Kennel Club (AKC) to force it to abandon breed standards for popular French bulldogs and other breeds, contending the influential club promotes unhealthy physical features. This legal challenge intensifies a major flashpoint in the dog world concerning the attributes defining breeds like the Frenchie, which the AKC ranks as the most popular in the United States. PETA's lawsuit claims: "The AKC's official breed standards for the bulldog, French bulldog, pug, dachshund and Chinese shar-pei provide blueprints for the breeding of deformed, unhealthy dogs." The AKC responded, asserting its commitment to protecting "the health, heritage and well-being of purebred dogs" and that responsibly bred dogs conforming to standards are healthy. 'We categorically reject PETA's mischaracterisations of specific breed standards and their assertion that these standards create unhealthy dogs,' the club said in a statement, adding that dog health and welfare is 'paramount and at the core of our mission.' Founded in 1884, the New York-based AKC is a nonprofit that acts like a league for many canine competitions and runs the United States' oldest dog registry, where owners may choose to document their dogs' existence and accomplishments. Mixed-breed dogs and rescues can be registered as 'canine partners' and compete in some sports, but the club's history is closely tied to fanciers who cultivate and show purebreds. Each breed has its own club that sets the 'standard,' or ideal characteristics, for the dogs. The AKC reviews, approves and promulgates them. PETA, also called People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, describes itself as an animal liberation organisation. Its advocacy includes boycotts and litigation. Its supporters are known for staging sometimes disruptive protests in settings including a papal audience, a Starbucks and sporting events such as the Westminster Kennel Club dog show. The Norfolk, Virginia-based nonprofit opposes dog breeding in general and has clashed for years with the AKC. Peppered with photos and diagrams, PETA 's new lawsuit runs through health problems that can beset short-legged, long-backed dachshunds ('the animal equivalent of a poorly designed bridge,' in PETA's view) and shar-peis, which can have spates of fever and inflammation known as 'shar-pei autoinflammatory disease.' The complaint points to pugs' risk of injuries to their marbly eyes and susceptibility to breathing problems and overheating because of their flat faces. The suit zeros in on those and other parts of bulldogs and Frenchies, including the big heads that often prompt caesarian births. The various problems that PETA cites don't afflict all dogs of these breeds, and some do agility, dock diving and other sports. But the conditions can be serious for those that have them. In the UK — where research involving about 24,600 dogs suggested that Frenchies have 'very different, and largely much poorer' health than do other canines — the British Veterinary Association campaigns against advertisements that feature flat-faced breeds. The Netherlands has prohibited breeding very short-snouted dogs. Norway's Supreme Court, however, declined to block the breeding of English bulldogs — but upheld a lower court's prohibition on breeding cavalier King Charles spaniels, citing a different set of health concerns. The AKC says the breed standards it approves reflect 'decades of collaboration with veterinary experts and breeders.' Some breed clubs donate to and participate in dog health research, and the AKC says it has given over $40 million since 1995 to its canine health research charity.
Gulf Today
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
Alalawi's HM Alchahine triumphs in UAE President's Cup race in Hamburg
HM Alchahine (FR), a four-year-old Purebred Arabian gelding owned by Helal Alalawi, lit up Hamburg's historic Horner Rennbahn Racecourse with a dazzling display of speed and grace, storming to a magnificent victory in the UAE President's Cup. Over the testing 1,600-metre distance, he surged forward like poetry in motion, leaving the crowd in awe as he carved his name into the annals of Arabian racing with elegance and power. The race marked the seventh leg of the prestigious UAE President's Cup series, now in its 32nd edition. Held under the patronage and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the UAE, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, the series highlights the UAE's continued commitment to preserving and promoting the global stature of Purebred Arabian horses, a key pillar of Emirati heritage. Staged in conjunction with the 156th edition of the historic German Derby, the UAE President's Cup drew a remarkable crowd of nearly 30,000 spectators and featured a record prize purse of €250,000, making it the richest Arabian race in German racing history. Trained by Jean-Francois Bernard, under the masterful ride of Cristian Demuro, the remarkable HM Alchahine delivered a commanding performance to secure a stunning victory in the prestigious UAE President's Cup. This latest triumph marks his second win in the renowned series, adding to his earlier success in the Italian leg, and firmly establishing him as one of the most dominant Purebred Arabian racehorses on the European circuit. From the moment the gates opened, HM Alchahine showed his class, settling into a strong rhythm under Demuro's calculated guidance. As the race progressed, he gradually shifted gears, effortlessly pulling away from a competitive field with breathtaking acceleration down the final stretch. Crossing the finish line in a blazing time of 1:45.42, he left no doubt about his superiority, putting daylight between himself and the rest of the field. This performance not only reinforces HM Alchahine's reputation as a force to be reckoned with in international Arabian racing but also highlights the incredible synergy between trainer and jockey. Bernard's meticulous preparation combined with Demuro's tactical brilliance proved to be the perfect formula for success on the big stage once again. With two UAE President's Cup victories now under his belt, HM Alchahine continues to elevate his legacy and inspire admiration across the racing world. His latest win is a powerful statement — a blend of strength, speed, and strategy that showcases the very best of Arabian horse racing at the highest level. Finishing second was Al Wakrah (FR), owned by Al Shaqab Racing, trained by Jean-Loup de Mieulle and ridden by Olivier d'Andigne. Al Zeer (FR), owned by Mohamed Fahad A.H. Al-Attiyah, finished third under trainer Francois Rohaut and jockey Adrie de Vries. Also in the field were Papillion T (HOL), representing the Netherlands and trained and owned by Gerard Th. Zoetelief; Al Zwair (FR), also owned by Al Shaqab Racing; and Djafar (FR), owned by Abubaker S.A. Kadoura, with both horses showcasing competitive spirit. The race and prize ceremony were attended by Dr. Peter Tschentscher, Mayor of Hamburg, and Ahmed Al Attar, UAE Ambassador to the Germany, along with Faisal Al Rahmani, General Secretary of the Higher Organizing Committee for the UAE President's Cup, and Ahmed Al Samarrai, President of the German Arabian Horse Association. The winning trophy was presented to Nasser Hilal Al Alawi, representative of the owner, in the presence of the trainer and jockey, amid a celebratory crowd. Speaking on the occasion, Rahmani remarked: 'We are extremely proud of the success achieved in Hamburg. The outstanding organisation, strong participation, and warm reception all reflect the UAE's growing impact on the global Arabian horse racing scene, a vision driven forward by Sheikh Mansour.' He added: 'Congratulations to Mr. Helal Alalawi on HM Alchahine's impressive performance in Germany and his earlier victory in Italy. These results reaffirm the strength of UAE-owned horses in international racing. 'The UAE President's Cup continues to act as a cultural bridge, introducing European and global audiences to the history, values, and noble legacy of Purebred Arabian horses.'
