Legends of the track

The first race on Dubai World Cup day is the Kahayla Classic, a race reserved for Purebred Arabian horses that showcases the breed's immense potential. Despite the fact that Arabian horses have provided the strains that were used to perfect the thorough-bred breed, they have not receive the same acclaim as their race-horse counterparts.

Famous for being loyal, versatile, willing and agile, the Arabian horse dominates endurance horse races because of its stamina.

Characteristics

Arabians are known to be very intelligent and trainable. Their conformation and type have been selectively bred for longer than any other breed, and their heredity can be retrospectively studied to predict their good and bad characteristics.

Generally, they have a short straight back, perfect balance and symmetry, a deep chest, well-sprung ribs and strong legs of thick density. They also have a finely chiselled head, long arching neck and a high-tail carriage.

"Both the physical characteristics and the temperament of the Arabian, along with their versatility and endurance, make them special horses," says a spokesperson from the Arabian Horse Association. "They have a refined and beautiful appearance that includes a dished or concave face, large, dark, expressive eyes set wide apart, an arched neck with a clean throat, a high tail carriage, and a light, elegant way of moving."

The origin of the Arabian horse remains somewhat of a mystery. According to the Arabian Horse Association, archaeologists are constantly unsettling previously established thinking. Some argue that the ancestral Arabian was a wild horse in northern Syria and southern Turkey, while others suggest that this unique breed originated in the southwestern part of Arabia. Regardless of origin, climate and culture ultimately shaped the Arabian. The Arabian horse prototype is thought to have been domesticated by the people of the Arabian Peninsula, known as the Bedouin.

The Bedouins were dependent on their horses for survival, valued their beauty and wanted them strong. They were bred as war mounts for long treks and quick forays into enemy camps. Due to harsh desert conditions, they developed a large lung capacity and endurance.

The severe conditions of the desert led the nomads to share water and food, and sometimes their tents. This led to the Arabian having a close affinity to man, a trait that is still apparent in the breed. Over the centuries, the Bedouin tribes zealously maintained the purity of the breed. "The Bedouin horse breeders were fanatic about keeping the blood of their desert steeds absolutely pure," says a spokesperson.

"Through line-breeding and inbreeding, celebrated strains evolved, which were particularly prized for distinguishing characteristics and qualities."

The harsh desert environment ensured that only the strongest and keenest horse survived and it was responsible for many of the physical characteristics that distinguish the breed to this day. "Arabians are extremely versatile, participating in all disciplines, but they especially excel at endurance racing, because they have a shorter, stronger back that allows them to carry substantial weight in comfort.

They have large nostrils and trachea for greater lung capacity, dense, compact bones and lighter muscling, which dissipates heat and lactic acid more readily."

Endurance factor

The Arabian's outstanding characteristics, which have developed over years of selective breeding, have enabled the horse to excel at a variety of activities today. They are the best breed for distances; due to their stamina and endurance they do extremely well in competitive trails and endurance rides.

The top prizes at endurance events almost always go to riders of Arabians. They're also used in the show ring, due to their excellent balance and agility, high intelligence and skillful footwork. Most notably, they still show an unequaled ability to bond with humans, which make them
a perfect family horse.