This photo series follows a horse race held near Damascus, offering a glimpse into how Syria’s prestigious equestrian tradition is changing in the post-war era. Once tightly controlled by the Assad family, the horse racing scene is now dominated by a new elite : militiamen and warlords who have risen in power over the past decade, illustrating the lasting imprint of militarization in a country still recovering from 15 years of civil war. On the day of the race, all these shifts are visible: former symbols of the fallen regime have been replaced by a new class of militia-linked owners while in the stands, a mix of civilians and armed men illustrates deep-rooted popular passion for horse racing.