In an exclusive interview with Living in Monaco, Sheikh Mohammed bin Nasser Al Thani shared his vision for the Tour’s arrival in the Principality, the cultural significance of the Arabian horse and his hopes for Monaco’s future on the international calendar.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Nasser Al Thani, a member of Qatar’s ruling family brought for the first time, the Global Champions Arabians Tour in the Principality, transforming its world-famous harbour into an arena dedicated to one of the oldest and most admired horse breeds in history.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Nasser Al Thani is the Deputy CEO of the Global Champions Arabians Tour and he has been involved with Arabian horses since childhood, began riding at ten and later competed professionally in showjumping.
As the Deputy CEO of the Global Champions Arabians Tour (GCAT), he plays a leading role in expanding the championship internationally and promoting Arabian-horse heritage, competition and cultural exchange.
As part of his ambition to preserve the Arabian horse’s cultural legacy while introducing it to new international audiences, the inaugural Monaco stage brought together 86 Purebred Arabian horses from several countries, accompanied by distinguished owners, breeders, handlers and enthusiasts.
Over two days, visitors witnessed an exceptional display of equine beauty, movement and character in a setting that seemed naturally suited to the occasion.
Against the unmistakable backdrop of Port Hercule, where superyachts, Mediterranean light and Monaco’s celebrated sporting heritage converge, a different kind of beauty took centre stage in July 2026. Monaco has long been associated with international sporting excellence, from Formula One and tennis to sailing, showjumping and athletics. The arrival of the Global Champions Arabians Tour added a new dimension to this tradition, creating a meeting point between equestrian heritage and the Principality’s distinctive art of living.
What made the Principality the right destination for this prestigious event, and what does Monaco represent to you personally?
“Monaco is one of those rare places that instantly captures the imagination. It combines natural beauty, rich history and an extraordinary sense of refinement in a way that is truly unique. When we envisioned bringing the Global Champions Arabians Tour to the Mediterranean, Monaco immediately stood out as the perfect setting.
For me personally, the Principality represents timeless elegance. It is a place where tradition and modernity exist in harmony, and I believe those same qualities are reflected in the Arabian horse. Bringing the Tour here feels like a very natural meeting of two worlds that share an appreciation for excellence and authenticity,” – Sheikh Mohammed bin Nasser Al Thani explains.
With the Mediterranean as its backdrop, the event offered much more than a competition. It became a celebration of history, culture, craftsmanship and the enduring relationship between humans and horses.
The philosophy of the Global Champions Arabians Tour can be expressed in a simple but powerful principle: respecting beauty with integrity.
Launched in 2024, the Tour was created as an exclusive international championship series for Purebred Arabian horses. Its stages are held at state-of-the-art venues in iconic destinations around the world, bringing greater visibility, ambition and sporting value to the discipline.
The Tour’s mission is to celebrate the uniqueness of the Arabian horse while building a lasting legacy founded on excellence, transparency, fairness and integrity.
Rather than treating beauty as something purely visual, the championship recognises the qualities that have defined the Arabian horse for thousands of years: intelligence, endurance, sensitivity, loyalty and an unmistakable presence.
Every element of the Tour from judging and presentation to hospitality and international promotion, is intended to elevate the sport while honouring the history of the breed.
The world’s finest horses are brought before experienced judges, who assess them according to established criteria. The gold, silver and bronze champions from each stage qualify for the World Arabian Horse Championship Supreme at the end of the season, ensuring that every event contributes to a much larger competitive journey.
In 2026, the Tour is travelling to ten destinations across Europe, the Middle East and the Americas. Monaco represented the fourth stage of the European and Middle Eastern series and one of the most anticipated additions to the international calendar.
Arabian horses are often described as living works of art, embodying centuries of heritage and tradition. And for the organisers, Monaco immediately stood out as the ideal Mediterranean destination for the Tour.
How do you see the connection between Arabian culture and Monaco’s own commitment to preserving excellence, elegance, and history?
“The Arabian horse has always represented much more than physical beauty. It tells the story of a culture that values loyalty, generosity, patience and respect for tradition.
I believe Monaco understands the importance of preserving identity while embracing the future. Whether it is through architecture, sport or cultural institutions, the Principality has shown that heritage remains relevant when it is cared for with passion.
In many ways, the Arabian horse embodies that same philosophy. It reminds us that true excellence is something we inherit, protect and pass on,” – says Sheikh Mohammed bin Nasser Al Thani.
The Principality combines natural beauty, history and refinement with an international audience and an extraordinary tradition of hosting major events. Port Hercule, in particular, offered a spectacular environment in which to present the Arabian horse to both established enthusiasts and a new public.
What do you hope visitors who are discovering Arabian horses for the first time will take away from this event?
“I hope they leave feeling inspired.
Many people expect to admire the horses for their elegance, but what often leaves the greatest impression is their character. Arabian horses are incredibly intelligent, sensitive and expressive. Once you spend time around them, you begin to understand why they have been treasured for thousands of years. If our guests leave Monaco having discovered not only a beautiful horse but also a fascinating culture and history, then we will have achieved something very meaningful.”
The connection between Monaco and the Arabian horse extends beyond elegance. Both represent a balance between tradition and modernity, preserving a strong identity while continuously looking towards the future.
How important is it to create cultural bridges between the Gulf region and Europe through initiatives such as this?
“I believe culture has an extraordinary ability to bring people together. The Arabian horse speaks a universal language. Regardless of nationality or background, people are moved by its beauty, its grace and its history.
When we bring the Global Champions Arabians Tour to destinations such as Monaco, we are creating opportunities for people to discover one another’s traditions through a shared experience. These moments encourage dialogue, curiosity and mutual understanding, and I believe those human connections are among the most valuable legacies any international event can leave.”
That meeting of worlds was visible throughout the event. The horses brought centuries of heritage into the contemporary setting of Port Hercule, while Monaco offered the international championship an atmosphere unlike any other destination on the calendar.
As the horses entered the arena beneath the Mediterranean sky, the visual harmony between the breed and the location became immediately apparent. The refined lines, expressive movement and commanding presence of the Arabian horses were amplified by the elegance of their surroundings.
A legacy more than 2,500 years old
The Arabian horse originated on the Arabian Peninsula and has a documented history extending back more than 2,500 years.
In the challenging desert environment, Bedouin tribes selectively bred horses for qualities essential to survival: endurance, speed, intelligence, resilience and loyalty. These horses were not simply valuable animals. They were trusted companions, closely integrated into family and tribal life.
Their ability to travel great distances in harsh conditions made them indispensable, while their intelligence and strong bond with humans became defining characteristics of the breed.
Arabian horses played an important role in travel, trade and conflict. As trade routes expanded and the Islamic world grew, they travelled beyond the Arabian Peninsula, reaching Asia, Africa and Europe.
Their influence on global horse breeding was profound. European breeders recognised the Arabian horse’s stamina, refinement and athletic ability, incorporating its bloodlines into numerous breeds. The Andalusian, Lipizzaner and many modern sport and racing horses all carry elements of this remarkable genetic legacy.
By the 19th century, organised Arabian horse breeding had become established in different parts of the world. Royal families, aristocrats, military officers and dedicated breeders developed influential programmes designed to preserve and refine the breed.
Today, Arabian horses remain instantly recognisable. Their distinctive features include a finely shaped head, expressive eyes, arched neck, high tail carriage and elegant movement. Yet their attraction goes far beyond appearance.
They are versatile athletes capable of participating in endurance, dressage and other equestrian disciplines. Above all, they retain the intelligence, sensitivity and close relationship with people that have distinguished them throughout history.
The Global Champions Arabians Tour presents this living heritage to a contemporary international audience. Each horse entering the arena carries not only the ambitions of its owner and breeder, but also the legacy of generations.
Beyond the competition itself, what long-term vision do you have for establishing Monaco as a permanent destination on the Global Champions Arabians Tour calendar?
“Our ambition is for Monaco to become much more than another stage of the championship.
We would like it to develop into an annual celebration where sport, culture and hospitality come together in a uniquely Monégasque setting. Over time, I hope it becomes an event that residents look forward to and that visitors choose to travel for because they know they will experience something truly distinctive.
Building traditions takes time, but every tradition begins with a memorable first edition. We hope this is the beginning of a long relationship with the Principality,” – concludes Sheikh Mohammed bin Nasser Al Thani.
Arabian horses are frequently described as living works of art, but their beauty cannot be separated from the culture and values from which they emerged. These ideas resonate naturally with Monaco, where heritage remains visible in the Principality’s architecture, institutions, ceremonies and cultural life.
Monaco has repeatedly demonstrated that preserving tradition does not mean resisting change. Its identity is continuously renewed through innovation, environmental leadership, culture and international cooperation.
The Monaco stage therefore offered more than a showcase of exceptional horses. It became an expression of shared values and a reminder that heritage remains most powerful when it continues to inspire new generations.
For many visitors, the event was their first opportunity to see Purebred Arabian horses at close range. While photographs can capture their physical refinement, they cannot fully communicate the intelligence, sensitivity and expressive character that become apparent in their presence.
Beyond the arena, an immersive event village offered hospitality experiences, partner activations and opportunities to learn more about the history and legacy of the breed.
Vendors ranged from local delicacies and souvenirs to specialist equestrian clothing, equipment and official GCAT merchandise. The combination created an environment designed not only for experienced breeders and equestrian professionals, but also for tourists, families and luxury-lifestyle audiences.
The objective was to ensure that visitors left with more than memories of beautiful horses.
Competition at the highest level
Behind the elegance and atmosphere was a serious international competition offering the highest level of recognition and significant prize money.
A total of $636,000 was allocated across the Monaco championships, with prizes distributed among the ten leading horses in each category. At the end of the 2026 season, a further $4.065 million is to be awarded to the top 20 males, females and handlers.
This unprecedented financial commitment reflects the Tour’s ambition to raise the global profile of Arabian horse sport and reward the breeders, owners and professionals whose work sustains it.
Breeding and presenting an Arabian horse at this level requires exceptional dedication. Behind every appearance lies years of careful planning, training, veterinary attention and an intimate understanding of the horse’s temperament.
Handlers must establish trust while presenting each horse’s natural qualities to the judges. The finest performances appear effortless, but they are built on preparation, patience and a partnership between horse and human.
Throughout the Monaco stage, judges assessed some of the most celebrated Arabian horses in the world. Each category produced memorable performances, culminating in the presentation of gold, silver and bronze honours.
Together, these champions represented an extraordinary concentration of international breeding expertise and demonstrated the depth of quality present at the Tour’s first Monaco stage.
The significance of the event also extended beyond sport. By bringing Arabian horses to the heart of Monaco, the Tour created a cultural bridge between the Gulf region and Europe. It offered guests an opportunity to encounter the heritage of the Arabian Peninsula through a shared appreciation of beauty, history and excellence.
Culture has a unique ability to encourage dialogue without requiring a common language. The Arabian horse can create an immediate emotional connection between people of different backgrounds.
International events such as GCAT Monaco provide a setting in which guests can discover traditions beyond their own. Owners, breeders, officials, partners and spectators meet through a shared experience, creating relationships that can extend far beyond the competition.
The event embodied the wider spirit of the Global Champions Arabians Tour: heritage meeting innovation, sporting excellence meeting lifestyle, and an ancient breed being presented on a modern global platform. Its Monaco success marked another milestone in GCAT’s mission to elevate Arabian horse sport internationally.
A production of this scale depends on an enormous collective effort. While the horses and handlers command attention in the arena, a complex network works behind the scenes to ensure the welfare of the animals, the fairness of the competition and the quality of the visitor experience.
The organisers expressed their gratitude to the Principality of Monaco, the local authorities and the many partners and sponsors whose support made the inaugural stage possible. They also thanked the organising team, officials, volunteers, competitors, owners, breeders, media representatives and spectators who contributed to the event’s success.
In Monaco, a place where tradition and modernity have always existed side by side, the Arabian horse found a fitting new home. The result was more than an international championship. It was a meeting of histories, a celebration of shared values and, perhaps, the beginning of a new Monégasque tradition.
EXCLUSIVE:
Purchase a photo-illustrated, downloadable PDF of this exclusive Living in Monaco magazine article featuring Sheikh Mohammed bin Nasser Al Thani, or get the complete digital edition of the Autumn 2026 issue of Living in Monaco magazine.