HIBAPRESS
The Grand Prix of His Majesty King Mohammed VI for Purebred Arabians has achieved a new milestone by ascending to the PA Group 1 classification, the highest international ranking for this breed's races. This move strengthens Morocco's presence among the leading nations hosting this type of racing.
The Royal Society for the Encouragement of the Horse (SOREC) announced this promotion on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, during a press conference held in the city of El Jadida on the sidelines of the 17th edition of the Horse Show. The event was attended by Hicham El Dabbagh, Assistant Director-General of SOREC and Vice-President of the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing.
This classification is a culmination of the Grand Prix's development, having moved from PA Group 3 to Group 2 in 2024, before meeting the criteria for promotion to Group 1, based on the caliber of participating horses and the quality of competition.
With this achievement, Morocco joins a select group of countries hosting races classified within PA Group 1, an international recognition that reflects the development of purebred Arabian horse racing in the Kingdom and its standing in this field.
On the occasion of this promotion, the total prize money for the Grand Prix of His Majesty King Mohammed VI has been increased to 350,000 Euros, equivalent to 3.8 million Dirhams. The races will take place on Sunday, November 22, 2026, at the Casablanca-Anfa racecourse, over a distance of 2100 meters, as part of the 12th edition of the International Moroccan Meeting.
The development also extends to the international program of the meeting, with the Grand Prix of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan being promoted to PA Group 2 classification, having previously been in Group 3. Its total prize money has also been increased to 200,000 Euros, equivalent to 2.18 million Dirhams.
This recognition solidifies Morocco's position in purebred Arabian horse racing, especially as the Kingdom annually organizes over a thousand races dedicated to this breed, making it a leader among African and Arab countries, and second globally in terms of the number of races organized.
