From the Saudi Cup to Idex 2021 in Abu Dhabi - today's best pictures from the Gulf

Take a look at some of the best images from around the Gulf in the past 24 hours

British jockey William Buick on Space Blues at the 1351 Turf Sprint at the Saudi Cup, at King Abdulaziz Racetrack. Space Blues won the $1 million race. AP Photo

Buildings in Kuwait are illuminated in the colours of the national flag, as the country prepares to celebrate its 60th Independence Day and the 30th anniversary of the end of the First Gulf War. This saw the liberation of Kuwait from Iraqi occupation. AFP

The opening day of the International Defence Exhibition (Idex), the Middle East’s largest defence fair, in Abu Dhabi. Idex is set to feature 1,000 defence companies across 35,000 square metres of exhibition space in 12 exhibition halls. Victor Besa / The National

King Hamad of Bahrain, second from right, receives Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, second from left, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, right. Also attending is Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai. Rashed Al Mansoori / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Irish jockey David Egan, mounted on Mishriff, celebrates with the family of Prince Abdul Rahman bin Abdullah al Faisal, the horse's owners, after winning the $20 million Saudi Cup, at the King Abdulaziz Racetrack. AP Photo

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrives at the Saudi Cup, at King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Reuters

The National Museum in Muscat, Oman, re-opens its exhibition of traditional Belarusian items, Patterns and Symbols: A Heritage of Belarusian Ornament, until the end of April. The exhibition opened briefly last March, before closing due to Covid-19 restrictions. ONA

Sheikh Mohammed bin Duaij Al Khalifa, chairman of the Bahrain Paralympic Committee and Majid Al Usaimi, chairman of the Asian Paralympic Committee, sign an agreement for Bahrain to host the 2021 Asian Youth Para Games. BNA

Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad, of the Bahraini royal family, receives Adnan Dirjal, Iraqi youth and sports minister. BNA

More galleries from The National:

Idex 2021: UAE Armed Forces sign $1.37bn of military deals on day one

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