The Arabs have raced their horses against each other for honour and gain since time immemorial.  Its only during the last century as the Gulf States began to form and urban societies developed that racing started to take place in an organised way.

In Bahrain racing in this form first took place at the racing grounds north of Muharraq island during the rule of Shaikh Isa Bin Ali Al Khalifa (ruler from 1869 to 1925).  Then Shaikh Sulman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa (ruler from 1942 to 1961) established the racing track at Safra in Riffa.  Each Friday afternoon from November till May, a popular meeting place was His Highness Shaikh Isa Bin Sulman’s private race meet.  Races were informal and unique in style.  No betting, no prizes; nevertheless every competitor was keen to ride a winner.  Every colt and filly was race trained to prove its’ worth.  It is in racing that the good or the bad points of conformation, character and heart come out.  They started to race at three years of age if well developed, over a distance of six furlongs (1200m).  The distance was increased with age, up to two miles, and some horses were still racing when fifteen years old.  Stallions and mares raced in mixed groups.

Finally in 1981 His Highness Sh.Isa Bin Sulman Al Khalifa (ruler from 1961 to 1999) inaugurated the magnificent track and premises of the Equestrian and Horseracing Club at Sakhir.  Races for both thoroughbreds and purebred Arabians were now conducted under international rules and regulations.

ENDURANCE

Riding horses over vast distances was more of a way of life rather than a sport in Arabia. 

Life in the Gulf has become more modern and sophisticated, but the Arabian horse remains a passion with the people of Bahrain. 

Those less inclined to the rush and speed of organised  horse racing, a basically western concept, took to the sands again and so was reborn an ancient pursuit re-christened as Endurance riding.

Bahrain is a relative newcomer to the modern organised Endurance, holding its first International event as recently as April of 2000.  That is not to say that the sport did not exist in Bahrain before.  In the past riding clubs and associations would have what was more of a marathon, from one point of the island to another.  No vet checks, no water points, no crewing, nothing in fact.

The Royal Arabian Stud did send two horses Jellaby and Tuwaisaan to compete in U.A.E. First International Endurance Ride in 1993.  They had performed with merit.

SHOWING

In Bahrain the Showing of horses has been limited to a very small scale, usually as entertainment at large competition events.

The Arabian horses of the Royal Arabian Stud have participated in shows in Amman in 1988 and in 2000 and in Baghdad in 1989.  Otherwise the showing of these magnificent horses has been limited to private presentations, with the exception of the World Arabian Horse Organisation conferences of 1996 and 1998.

SHOW JUMPING

Show jumping has become a very popular equestrian sport in Bahrain.  People of all ages on horses of various breeds take part in the competitions that are held by the riding clubs and associations throughout the season (i.e. October to May).