The Mahli horse crisis: Urgent investigation following Prince Faisal bin Khalid's protest
The equestrian community in Saudi Arabia was embroiled in controversy following the eighth race of the 26th King's Cup (G3) meeting, after the horse "Mahli" won. The crisis erupted when Prince Faisal bin Khalid bin Abdulaziz, owner of "Al-Ahmar Stable," expressed his strong disapproval and formal protest against allowing the horse to participate and win, citing a previous official decision to suspend the horse for testing positive for banned substances.
Details of the protest and the demand for accountability
In a strongly worded and unequivocal statement, Prince Faisal bin Khalid questioned the mechanism by which the suspension was circumvented, describing the incident as a "blatant disregard" for regulations. He directly criticized the Equestrian Authority, saying, "I am outraged, and what happened is a grave error that cannot be ignored." His Highness affirmed his intention to pursue a formal protest demanding accountability for those responsible for this transgression, emphasizing the necessity of applying regulations fairly and with complete transparency to ensure the integrity of the competition.
Urgent action from the horse racing club
In response to the rapidly unfolding events, the Jockey Club issued an official statement confirming that it was closely monitoring the remarks made by Prince Faisal bin Khalid. The club explained that Prince Bandar bin Khalid Al Faisal, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Equestrian Authority and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Jockey Club, had immediately ordered an urgent investigation to ascertain the circumstances of the incident and to submit the findings as quickly as possible. The club emphasized that its technical committees are independent and impartial, and are fully committed to the relevant international regulations and standards.
The importance of the race and the context of global competition
This incident is particularly significant given the prestige of the race in which it occurred; the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup (G3) is one of the most important races on the Saudi Arabian equestrian calendar, as it serves as a direct qualifier for the main event, the prestigious Saudi Cup. The Saudi Cup is the world's richest horse race, attracting owners and trainers from around the globe, making any controversy surrounding the integrity of its qualifying rounds a sensitive matter that could negatively impact the international reputation of Saudi Arabian sport.
Integrity and international standards in Saudi equestrianism
This investigation comes at a time when horse racing in the Kingdom is witnessing unprecedented development within the framework of Vision 2030, as the Jockey Club strives to solidify the Kingdom's position as a leading global destination for this sport. The Kingdom's organization of races adheres to strict standards that comply with the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), particularly regarding the fight against doping and prohibited substances. Therefore, the investigation into the case of the horse "Mahli" is not merely a resolution of a local dispute, but rather a reaffirmation of the sporting establishment's commitment to the highest standards of transparency and integrity, and its dedication to applying the law to everyone without exception, in order to preserve the global achievements that Saudi equestrianism has attained in recent years.
