The Darley Awards were founded in 1987 to honor the best in Arabian horse racing. This distinguished ceremony recognizes the most outstanding racehorses, jockeys, owners, trainers and breeders of the Arabian community. See the highest achievers...

In the tradition of this important awards ceremony and on its 25 anniversary, the most excellent owners, breeders, trainers, jockeys and horses in USA will be honored. Five nominees will be named in each category and the best will be awarded as Champion. The categories are: 3 Year Old Filly, 3 Year Old Colt, 4 Year Old Filly, 4 Year Old Colt, Older Mare, Older Horse, Breeder, Owner, Trainer, Jockey, and Horse Of The Year. The Arabian Racing Cup and its USA Voting Academy will decide the winners.

In addition, five exciting new awards will be presented. The HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Muburak Darley Award will honor women who have distinguished themselves in 2011 as owner, breeder, trainer and jockey in international Arabian racing. The 5th award is for Woman of The Year and may be presented as a posthumous award. The International Judges for the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival Darley Awards will decide these winners. Two ARC Stewards hold positions as International Judges.

September 18, 2011, Abu Dhabi, UAE ~ Adding to the excitement, a whole new dimension to the 2012 Darley Awards! With special gratitute to Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, special awards are to be presented in her name to women of distinction in Arabian racing.

July 6, 2011, Tennessee, USA ~ The Stewards of the Arabian Racing Cup are pleased to announce their partnership with the HH Sh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival honoring the 25th Silver Anniversary of the prestigious ARC Darley Awards. First held in 1987, the "Oscar's of Arabian Racing" recognize the most outstanding US racehorses, breeders, owners, trainers, and jockeys of the Arabian community. The Darley Award ceremonies present an opportunity for those involved in US Arabian racing to celebrate its virtues and award its best. "The Darley Committee selects the nominees and a Voting Academy decides the winners," said Dr. Ted Wright, Arabian Racing Cup Chief Steward. "The Voting Academy is made up of knowledgeable individuals as well as regional racing organizations and publications within the US Arabian racing community."

The 2011 Darley Award categories are: Three-year-old Filly; Three-year-old Colt, Four-year-old Filly, Four-year-old Colt, Older Mare, Older Horse, Breeder, Owner, Jockey, and Trainer, and the coveted Horse of the Year title. For the first time, the 2012 event ceremony will present the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Darley Award for Outstanding Woman in Arabian Racing. HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak is a leading proponent of the women’s movement in the UAE and an advocate of women’s leadership worldwide.

President of the Arabian Jockey Club, Kathy Smoke, said she was elated with the support from HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival. "This will go a great way in boosting Arabian Racing in the US and will ensure progress and growth in various parts of the country," she said.

"The support of the worldwide Arabian Global Festival will only enhance the International aspect of Arabian racing for America," adds Denise Gault, ARC Board Steward member.

The Arabian Racing Cup is an Arabian breeders incentive program founded over 30 years ago, and is made up of eight Board Stewards. The 2010 Horse of the Year Darley Award went to Sand Witchh, a 2006 mare by Burning Sand and out of the mare, Tornade Du Loup. Details of the 2011 Darley Awards event weekend, to be held March 2012 in Houston, Texas, will be forthcoming.