Aesar Alwajba claims the $500,000 Horse of the Tour prize as GCAT concludes its 2026 Europe & Middle East season in Aachen.
The Global Champions Arabians Tour (GCAT) brought its 2026 Europe & Middle East season to a memorable conclusion at the GCAT Final Aachen – All Nations Cup, with Aesar Alwajba, owned by Al Wajba Stud, crowned the 2026 Horse of the Tour.
The prestigious season-long title is awarded to the horse accumulating the highest total points across the Tour, with Aesar securing the top position and the additional $500,000 Horse of the Tour prize.
Aesar arrived in Aachen just one point ahead of Shalwa Al Adwan, owned by Aljumail Stud, following a closely contested season-long battle. With Aachen providing the final opportunity to collect points, the title came down to the season finale, where Aesar ultimately secured GCAT’s biggest season honour.
Aesar was also recognised as Best Male Horse, while Shalwa Al Adwan concluded her outstanding season as Best Female Horse.
Six Gold Champions Crowned in Aachen
Across two days of competition, the GCAT Final Aachen Cup saw six Gold Champions crowned across the Yearling, Junior and Senior male and female categories, alongside six Silver and six Bronze medallists.
Leading Arabian horses, owners, breeders and handlers from around the world gathered in Aachen for the final European and Middle Eastern stage of the 2026 Tour.
Senior Stallions
Gold: D Shahhar — Dubai Arabian Horse Stud
Silver: RD Rajan — Hanaya Arabian Stud
Bronze: D Samed — SK Arabians
Senior Mares
Gold: D Najlah — Dubai Arabian Horse Stud
Silver: Al Aryam Atab — H.H. Sheikh Zayed Bin Hamdan Bin Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan
Bronze: AJ Asai — Akmal Stud
Junior Colts
Gold: Aesar Alwajba — Al Wajba Stud
Silver: D Mazyoon — Dubai Arabian Horse Stud
Bronze: Haboob Ajmal — Turki Alothman
Junior Fillies
Gold: Expectations Alwajba — Al Wajba Stud
Silver: Al Aryam Harbah — Sheikh Khalifa Bin Tahnoon Bin Mohammed Al Nahyan
Bronze: D Rowa — Dubai Arabian Horse Stud
Yearling Colts
Gold: Dinar Al Shaqab — Al Shaqab
Silver: RDS Donatello — Ajman Stud
Bronze: Shawash Ajmal — Turki Alothman
Yearling Fillies
Gold: Palmah O — Al Shiraa Arabians
Silver: Shalwa Al Adwan — Aljumail Stud
Bronze: Afkham Dalal — Hanaya Arabian Stud
Celebrating the 2026 Season
Aachen also provided the stage to honour the outstanding achievements and contributions of the season.
Horse of the Tour
Aesar Alwajba owned by Al Wajba
Action of the Year – Middle East & Europe Series
Dhabia Al Busaidi, GCAT Muscat
Lifetime Achievement Award
Dr Marek Trela, Poland
Best Breeding Farm
Dubai Arabian Horse Stud
Best Handler
Paolo Capecci
Best Female Horse
Shalwa Al Adwan owned by Aljumail Stud
Best Male Horse
Aesar Alwajba owned by Al Wajba
The finale marked another milestone for Paolo Capecci, who secured Handler of the Tour for the third consecutive year, completing three titles in the three seasons since GCAT began.
Beyond the arena, the GCAT Industry Forum brought together owners, breeders, trainers and industry professionals for an open exchange on the future development of the Arabian horse industry.
As the 2026 Europe & Middle East season concludes in Aachen, attention now turns to the World Arabian Horse Championship Supreme in Paris, taking place at the Grand Palais from 25–27 November. The prestigious season-ending showcase will bring the Arabian horse to one of the world’s most iconic venues, providing a spectacular stage to celebrate the very best of the breed and bringing the 2026 international season to its ultimate conclusion.
