The Morocco International Meeting brought two days of intense racing, standout performances from both Moroccan and international jockeys, and a strong showing from amateur female riders. This 11th edition featured 14 races, eight of them international, enhancing Morocco's growing stature as a reference in global horse racing. It was a buzzing weekend at the Casa-Anfa racecourse. Horse lovers, racing enthusiasts and professionals filled the Casablanca Hippodrome on November 22 and 23 for the 11th edition of the Morocco International Meeting (MIM), organized by Morocco's Royal Society for the Encouragement of the Horse (SOREC). Across 14 races, eight of them international, cheers intensified each time the jockeys drew closer to the finish line. The first day opened with the Méditerranée 1900 m, won by Italian-Moroccan jockey Abdilah El Rherras. Momentum built quickly with the Jean-Pierre Laforest, the day's first international race, claimed by Moroccan rider Amine Moughat. Jockettes juggling two worlds Soon after, the spotlight shifted to the women's amateur race, one of the most anticipated moments of the day. Riders from Italy, Switzerland, Germany, France, Sweden and beyond lined up for the 1,300 m challenge. Spanish digital-marketing student Sara Horcajada, who travelled from Madrid, delivered a remarkable performance to clinch first place. «It is such an incredible experience to win this race, very fun and enjoyable», she told Yabiladi as she stepped off the podium, trophy in hand. Riding in Morocco for the first time, she said it was «an honor to participate in this race and even happier to win with the Spanish flag». Balancing studies with amateur riding, she admits: «It's a little bit difficult to do both things. I only ride on the weekends, and study during the week». Another amatrice juggling two worlds was French-Moroccan jockette Iris Baille, representing Morocco and finishing fourth. Speaking near the jockeys' changing room, she shared: «I started riding a lot in Morocco and then I discovered horse racing in France through friends». Racing became her «real passion» after obtaining her amateur jockey license. «I train every morning», she said, riding both in France, where she lives, and in Morocco whenever she visits. Moroccan-French jockey Iris Baille. / Ph. DR Representing Morocco for the second consecutive year, she said: «I had more luck than last year». Iris dreams of turning professional one day, but insists that amateur racing is an essential stage: «It helps you build yourself». But that journey comes with sacrifice: «This year I took a sabbatical to ride every morning… to try to get race opportunities and to progress as much as possible». Later in the afternoon, Moroccan jockey Zouhair Madihi took the Prix des Eleveurs riding Insandie. «I trained well for it, and the horse was in good shape», he told Yabiladi. But the highlight of the day was the Grand Prix de Sa Majesté le Roi Mohammed VI, a 2,400 m international race eagerly awaited by both the public and professionals. Riding Agador, French jockey Guillaume Guedj-Gay delivered a masterful performance to claim first place. «It's a very practical horse… it does very well in the sand», he said after the finish line. With the favourite horse close behind, nothing was guaranteed: «The race wasn't won in half a lap, but when mine accelerated, it was still a good horse». This marks Guedj-Gay's third consecutive victory at the Casablanca racecourse. Among the late-afternoon highlights was Moroccan jockey Aziz Jabafi, who won the Prix la SOREC. «I was very stressed, but fortunately things went well», he said. A local rider, Jabafi credited his coach for the strategy: «He insisted that I should ride the same way I did last year, and thank God it worked». Continuity, adrenaline, and a double win The second day of MIM kept the intensity alive with six races. Soufiane Abouhayane took the opening event, followed by Zouhair Madihi's second victory of the weekend in the international IFAHR Cup. The Prix de S.A.R. le Prince Moulay Rachid went to Faddoul Abderrahim. One of the most technical races was the Prix de S.A.R. le Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan, won by French jockey Ioritz Mendizabal. «It's a front-runner horse. I preferred to let him gallop and control the race… It's a very good horse, so he had to win today», he explained. Then came another key moment: the second Prix de Sa Majesté le Roi Mohammed VI of the weekend, and again, it was Guillaume Guedj-Gay who took the title. «We had a great course. My horse took the lead, and when I asked it to accelerate, he really responded», he told Yabiladi, visibly thrilled. The event concluded with the final race, De l'A.R.M.E.C Pur-Sang Arabe, won by yet another Moroccan jockey Ibba Khalid. Growing international reach Before the event drew to a close, SOREC's general director Omar Skalli praised the remarkable success of the meeting. «The organization of such an event involves a huge number of details. There are also risks. Fortunately, there were no falls and no incidents during the races, that's objective number one», he shared. «We had significant participation from foreign horses, around twenty over the weekend. That too is a success», he emphasized the importance of international participation. Skalli also highlighted Morocco's rising stature in the equestrian world: «Today, Moroccan races are truly a reference in terms of organization. And we see this reflected in the feedback we get from participants — jockeys, coaches, and other professionals».
