The Silk Road Journal · Ownership · Kuwait & Oman
Register as a Racehorse Owner in Kuwait and Oman, 2026-27
Both countries love racing, and both race mostly Purebred Arabians. Here is who runs racing in each, how much of it is for thoroughbreds, the questions to ask before you buy, and the nearby seasons most owners use.
A light-hearted guide. Faisal and his cousin Salim are invented. Facts are sourced at the end and were checked on 25 October 2026. Nothing here is legal advice; the racing authority in each country has the final word.
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Quick answer: owner registration in Kuwait and Oman
Kuwait: racing is run by the Hunting and Equestrian Club with the Supreme Authority for Horse Racing, and race registration and entries are made online; owner licence fees and residency rules are not published in English, so confirm them with the club. Oman: racing is run by the Oman Equestrian and Racing Federation (OERF) through the Oman Horse Racing Club, mostly at Al Rahba in Barka; horses pay a registration fee each season. In both countries most races are for Purebred Arabians, with a smaller thoroughbred programme.
- Kuwait thoroughbreds: sprints alongside the Purebred Arabian races, the Kuwait Derby and the Amir's Cup (2024-25 schedule)
- Oman thoroughbreds: usually 1 or 2 races on an 8-race card at Al Rahba
- 2026-27 calendars: not yet published in English when we checked; ask the club or the OERF
- Bigger thoroughbred seasons nearby: Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE
Kuwait · Oman · Side by side · FAQ · Email us where you want to race
Faisal (invented, 52, runs a logistics company in Kuwait) wanted a thoroughbred. His cousin Salim, in Muscat, wanted one too, mostly so that Faisal would stop sending him race videos. They asked the same question: "How do we register as owners at home?"
The honest answer surprised them. At home, the racing is mostly for Purebred Arabians, and the rules for owners are not printed in an English rule book you can download. So the first job is not the form. It is deciding where the horse will race.
How do you register as a racehorse owner in Kuwait?
Racing in Kuwait is run by the Hunting and Equestrian Club, working with the Supreme Authority for Horse Racing. The club says race registration and entries are now made online, where each participant chooses the races and distances. We found no published English rule book with owner licence fees, documents or residency rules, so confirm those with the club before you buy.
- Who runs it: the Hunting and Equestrian Club and the Supreme Authority for Horse Racing. In August 2026, Kuwait Times named the Authority's chairman as also the club's secretary-general.
- Four tracks, one circuit: the club said in January 2025 that Kuwait's racetracks were opened to each other, so horses and trainers can race at any of them.
- Prizes: Arab Times reported in January 2025 a minimum prize of KD 1,500 a race and more than KD 1.4 million in prizes across all tracks that season.
- The horses: Kuwait Times reported a count of 1,884 horses in 235 stables in August 2026: Kuwaiti-bred horses, thoroughbreds and Purebred Arabians.
Can you race a thoroughbred in Kuwait?
Yes, but it is the smaller part of the programme. The Kuwait schedule announced for 2024-25 (the latest we could find) listed Purebred Arabian races, thoroughbred sprints and endurance races, with weekly racing from November, the Kuwait Derby and the Amir's Cup. If you want to race at home, a fast, sound sprinter is the usual buy. Ask the club for the 2026-27 thoroughbred conditions first.
Questions to ask the club (or let your trainer ask): Is there an owner licence and what does it cost? Can a non-Kuwaiti resident register? How are colours registered? What papers does an imported thoroughbred need, and how soon after arrival must it be registered? Which races in 2026-27 are open to thoroughbreds, and at what ratings?
Our service page buy a racehorse as an owner in Kuwait covers what to buy for each route.
How do you register as a racehorse owner in Oman?
Racing in Oman is run by the Oman Equestrian and Racing Federation (OERF) through the Oman Horse Racing Club. Most meetings are at Al Rahba racecourse in Barka. The federation charges a registration fee for each participating horse every season; it said in 2025 that the fees are there to organise the sport, not to raise money. The fee amounts and owner rules are not published in English, so confirm them with the OERF.
- The 2025-26 season: 25 race meetings, from 18 October 2025 to 18 April 2026, including the National Day Cup and the Oman Derby Cup. The Royal Oman Police also ran 3 races at Wattayah, and there is the annual Royal Cavalry race.
- Thoroughbreds: two Al Rahba meetings in October 2025 each had 8 races, with 1 and 2 thoroughbred races; most of the rest were for Purebred Arabians.
- The leading owner: the Royal Cavalry was named best horse owner of the 2025-26 season.
- 2026-27: we found no published calendar when we checked on 25 October 2026. Last season opened in mid-October, so ask the OERF now.
Questions to ask the OERF: Who can register as an owner, and is residency needed? What is the horse registration fee for 2026-27? Which races are open to thoroughbreds, and at what ratings? What does an imported thoroughbred need on arrival?
Our service page buy a racehorse as an owner in Oman covers what to buy for each route.
The Silk Road Letter
Twice a month: the sales worth watching, one buying tip and one real market number (plus the odd catalogue joke). Free with it: our 2026-27 sale calendar (PDF) and a one-page guide to what a racehorse really costs. We email a link to confirm first. Unsubscribe in one click.
Kuwait, Oman and the nearby thoroughbred seasons side by side
| Country | Who runs racing | Thoroughbred racing | Owner rules |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kuwait | Hunting and Equestrian Club + Supreme Authority for Horse Racing | Sprints; most races for Purebred Arabians | Online registration; fees and residency: confirm with the club |
| Oman | OERF, through the Oman Horse Racing Club | 1-2 races a card; most for Purebred Arabians | Horse registration fee each season; confirm with the OERF |
| Bahrain | REHC (Bahrain Turf Club) | Full season; Turf Series for horses rated 80+ | Non-Bahraini nationals and residents at the REHC's discretion |
| Qatar | QREC | Full season; Amir Sword Festival 10-13 Feb 2027 | Normally Qatari nationals or residents for horses trained in Qatar |
| Saudi Arabia | JCSA | Full season; Saudi Cup meeting 5-6 Feb 2027 | People 18+, or companies with a commercial register |
| UAE | ERA | 5 racecourses, 64 meetings | Licence AED 1,200 + VAT; International Stable for non-residents |
Full steps for the others: Qatar and Bahrain owner registration, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the UAE racecourses beyond Meydan. The big UAE winter meeting is the Dubai Racing Carnival.
The 3 routes owners in Kuwait and Oman actually use
- Race at home. A sound sprinter for the thoroughbred races, once the club or the OERF has confirmed the conditions in writing.
- Race a short flight away. A rated horse in training for Bahrain, Qatar, Riyadh or the UAE, with a licensed trainer there. Each authority has its own licence, so the papers follow the horse.
- Keep the horse in Europe. Race it there in summer with a leading licensed trainer, and fly it to the Gulf for one winter target.
We find the right horse for the route you choose, from the best sales and private sellers worldwide, and work with the licensed trainer on every form. We do not train.
What does it cost?
The registration fee is the smallest bill. The horse, the flight and the monthly training bill are the real costs. Budgets for a horse that can compete in the Gulf start from about US$50,000 with us.
- The horse: a sprinter for home racing usually costs less than a horse rated 80+ for the Bahrain Turf Series or the Dubai Racing Carnival.
- Getting it there: vetting, export tests, the flight and quarantine. Ask your shipper for a written quote, and see our import cost calculator.
- Keeping it: trainer's fees, stabling, vet, farrier and race fees. Our cost calculator shows the totals in Gulf currencies.
Racing is a passion with a budget, not a way to make money. We never promise wins or returns.
Race a thoroughbred this season, at home or a short flight away.
Email us your budget, where you live and your target race. We will reply with an honest view of the right country and route, the horse that fits, and every form your trainer will need, before you spend anything.
Email info@silkroadbloodstock.com first, from anywhere in the world. Phone +971 52 311 2385 second. WhatsApp as backup.
5% fee (min US$5,000), agreed in writing. You pay the seller directly; your money never goes through us. If we are ever paid by both sides, both are told in writing first.
Selling a horse?
List it free, wherever it is trained. You pay 5% only if it sells to a buyer we introduce (including through our site), within 6 months of the introduction.
Related guides
- Qatar (QREC) and Bahrain (REHC) racehorse owner registration
- How to register as a racehorse owner in Saudi Arabia (JCSA)
- UAE racecourses beyond Meydan: Abu Dhabi, Jebel Ali, Sharjah, Al Ain
- Bahrain Turf Series 2026-27: buying a horse in time
- Buy a racehorse: Kuwait · Oman · Bahrain
The Silk Road Letter
Twice a month: the sales worth watching, one buying tip and one real market number (plus the odd catalogue joke). Free with it: our 2026-27 sale calendar (PDF) and a one-page guide to what a racehorse really costs. We email a link to confirm first. Unsubscribe in one click.
Frequently asked questions
How do I register as a racehorse owner in Kuwait?
Racing in Kuwait is run by the Hunting and Equestrian Club with the Supreme Authority for Horse Racing, and the club says race registration and entries are made online. We found no published English rule book with owner licence fees or residency rules, so confirm them with the Hunting and Equestrian Club, usually through your trainer, before you buy.
Can I race a thoroughbred in Kuwait?
Yes, but the programme is mostly for Purebred Arabians. The latest published Kuwait schedule (2024-25) listed Purebred Arabian races, thoroughbred sprints, the Kuwait Derby and the Amir's Cup. Check the 2026-27 conditions with the club before you buy.
Who runs horse racing in Oman?
The Oman Equestrian and Racing Federation (OERF), through the Oman Horse Racing Club. Most meetings are at Al Rahba racecourse in Barka. The 2025-26 season had 25 race meetings, from 18 October 2025 to 18 April 2026.
Are there thoroughbred races in Oman?
Yes, a few on each card. Meetings at Al Rahba in October 2025 had 8 races each, with 1 or 2 for thoroughbreds and most of the rest for Purebred Arabians. Ask the OERF for the 2026-27 programme and horse registration fees.
Can an owner in Kuwait or Oman race a thoroughbred in Bahrain or the UAE?
Often, yes. Bahrain's REHC licenses non-Bahraini nationals and residents at its discretion, and the Emirates Racing Authority describes an International Stable at Meydan for owners who are not UAE residents. Confirm your case with each authority.
Does Silk Road Bloodstock train horses?
No. Licensed trainers train. We find and buy the right horse worldwide, choose a licensed trainer with you and handle the paperwork with that trainer.
Spotted an error? Email info@silkroadbloodstock.com and we will fix it within 48 hours.
Sources
Checked 25 October 2026. Rules, fees and dates can change; always confirm with the Hunting and Equestrian Club (Kuwait) or the OERF (Oman).
- Arab Times, 14 Jan 2025: Hunting and Equestrian Club and the Supreme Authority for Horse Racing (online registration and entries; tracks opened to each other; minimum prize KD 1,500; more than KD 1.4 million in prizes)
- Kuwait Times, 25 Aug 2026: chairman of the Supreme Authority for Horse Racing and secretary-general of the Hunting and Equestrian Club; 1,884 horses in 235 stables (Kuwaiti-bred, thoroughbreds, Purebred Arabians)
- IFAHR, Oct 2024: 2024-25 Kuwait racing season (weekly races from November, Kuwait Derby, Amir's Cup, Purebred Arabian races, thoroughbred sprints, endurance)
- WAHO, Kuwait member report (flat racing at the Hunting and Equestrian Club; Arabian racing)
- Oman Observer, 30 Sep 2025: OERF and the Oman Horse Racing Club, 2025-26 season (25 races, 18 Oct to 18 Apr; Al Rahba; Royal Oman Police races at Wattayah; Royal Cavalry race; horse registration fees)
- Oman Observer, 19 Oct 2025: season opener at Al Rahba, Barka (8 races, 1 for thoroughbreds)
- Oman Observer, 24 Oct 2025: second meeting at Al Rahba (8 races, 2 for thoroughbreds; organised by the Oman Horse Racing Club under the OERF)
- Times of Oman, 5 May 2026: OERF closes the 2025-26 season (Royal Cavalry best horse owner)
- REHC, Rules of Racing 2026/27 (owner licences for non-Bahraini nationals and residents at the REHC's discretion)
- Emirates Racing Authority, racehorse ownership (International Stable at Meydan)
- WAM: Emirates Racing Authority 2026-27 schedule (64 meetings, 5 racecourses)