What does business activity 0142.01 – Raising of Horses and Other Equines cover

Activity 0142.01 covers the full commercial cycle of raising and breeding horses, donkeys, mules, and hinnies from birth through to the point they are ready for sale, competition, or transfer. This includes keeping, feeding, conditioning, and reproducing equines for any commercial purpose.

Permitted purposes under this classification include racing, endurance sport, showing, breeding stock export, and working animal supply. Notably, it explicitly includes racehorses, so a thoroughbred or purebred Arabian breeding operation falls squarely within this activity.

Why is the UAE considered one of the best places in the world to start an equine business

The UAE combines constant demand for quality horses, world-class infrastructure, and deep cultural significance attached to the Arabian horse. Government support for the equine sector is substantial, flowing from national prestige as much as commercial interest.

The country hosts internationally televised race meetings with prize money exceeding USD 30 million, operates sophisticated government-supported studbooks, and has more active endurance horses per capita than France — a country eight times its population.

How large is the equine industry in the UAE financially

The scale is significant. According to Equerry & Co, equestrian clubs in the UAE spend an average of AED 367 million (approximately USD 100 million) annually, while spending on training racehorses alone reaches around AED 2.1 billion (close to USD 570 million) per year.

That investment supports an entire ecosystem of veterinarians, nutritionists, breeders, transport specialists, and bloodstock agents, all of whom depend on a steady supply of well-bred horses.

What are the global growth projections for the equine sector

The global horse feed market is valued at USD 16.04 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 21.66 billion by 2030, according to Mordor Intelligence. The UAE is named alongside the US, UK, and Australia as a key driver of demand for premium equine nutrition.

Separately, the global equine healthcare market is projected to grow from USD 4.56 billion in 2025 to USD 10.40 billion by 2033, according to Grand View Research, signalling sustained long-term investment in the animals at the heart of this industry.

What types of horses can be raised and bred under this business activity

The activity covers several distinct categories. Thoroughbred racehorses can be bred and raised from foal to competition-ready, including full bloodstock management. Purebred Arabian horses can be raised for racing, endurance competition, international showing, and export as breeding stock.

The classification also covers endurance horses bred and conditioned specifically for the UAE's highly active endurance racing circuit, as well as donkeys and mules raised as working equines.

Who are the most prominent equine operations based in the UAE

In thoroughbred racing, Godolphin (owned by Sheikh Mohammed) and Shadwell Stud are two of the world's largest thoroughbred breeding programmes, both based in Dubai.

For purebred Arabians, notable UAE operations include Ajman Stud, Al Asayl Stud, and Al Aryam Arabians, all recognised as producers of internationally awarded show and race horses.

Who is this type of equine business best suited for

The activity is designed for three broad profiles. Bloodstock investors looking to breed, acquire, and trade horses in one of the world's most active equine markets will find strong commercial infrastructure and demand. Breeders and stud operators who want to establish or expand a breeding programme in the UAE can leverage the country's sophisticated ecosystem.

Equine entrepreneurs ready to supply the UAE's demand for quality horses across racing, endurance, and showing will also find a well-developed market with government-backed support structures already in place.

What is the cultural significance of horses in the UAE and how does it affect the business environment

Horses in the UAE are far more than livestock. They represent a centuries-old symbol of Bedouin identity and have historically served as a tool of diplomacy. The Arabian horse in particular holds the status of a national symbol, which means government support for the sector runs unusually deep.

This cultural importance translates directly into business conditions: the country has built government-supported studbooks, internationally recognised race meetings, and one of the world's most sophisticated equine ecosystems around the horse, creating a uniquely favourable environment for commercial operators entering the space.