Date:15-3-2009-UAE'S Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum yesterday raced to victory in the seniors section while Rachel bagged the junior title in His Majesty King Hamad's Endurance Horseride Championship at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.
Riding SAS Alexis, the Dubai Crown Prince dominated the race from start to finish completing the 120-km five-stages race in five hours, three minutes and 23 seconds.
Shaikh Hamdan, son of UAE Vice-President and Ruler of Dubai Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, was just seven seconds ahead of compatriot Salem Bin Ghadayer (5:03:30) who was second overall.
Buti Khalaf (5:16:23), also of the UAE, claimed the last podium spot.
The Bahrainis were led by Bahrain Royal Endurance Team captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, president of the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation, and Breef first vice-president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
Both Shaikh Nasser and Shaikh Khalid had to pull out of the race.
Royal Endurance Team rider Rachel (5:57:52) was victorious in the junior race which was also over 120 kms. She was followed by Nasser Awad (6:14:40) of Al Mugairat Stable in second place while Ahmed Al Qaud (6:40:19) of Royal Endurance team was third.
Ninety six riders took part in this prestigious championship, including 60 in the senior race.
The event, sponsored by Marsa Al Seef, was held under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad who congratulated the winners and wished others success in future races.
Chief guest Royal Jordanian Equestrian Federation president Princess Alia bint Al Hussein and National Guard Commander Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa presented the winners with their trophies.
Riding Sas Alexis, Shaikh Hamdan led a 1-2-3 finish for the UAE in the ride organised by the Royal Jordanian Equestrian Federation at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.
Shaikh Hamdan and Sas Alexis completed the 120km distance in 5 hours 3 minutes and 23 seconds
The UAE's Salem Bin Ghadayer finished second on Dell Hama, just seven seconds behind. Completing the UAE sweep was Butti Mohammad on Drumslin Moonshine in 5:16.23.
More than 40 riders took part in the ride, held annually. Some of the top riders from Jordan and Kuwait were in the starting line-up.
It was Shaikh Hamdan's second consecutive podium finish in Bahrain. Recently, he finished third behind His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Bahrain's Shaikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa in the 120km Endurance Giants Body Weight ride.
March 10: Participants from UAE, Jordan and Kuwait to attend
RIDERS from the UAE, Jordan and Kuwait have confirmed their participation in His Majesty King Hamad's Endurance Horseride Championship scheduled for Saturday to be held at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.
The biggest event of the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation's (Breef) calendar, to feature races for junior and seniors, have already attracted a large number of entries from Bahrain and other regional countries who started arriving in the kingdom.
Leading the UAE riders is Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoom who will take part in the senior race which will be over 120km. Shaikh Hamdan will be joined by compatriots Salem bin Ghadir, Oma Monica while UAE riders to compete in the junior race, which is also over 120km, are Ali Al Mirri, Khalifa Al Mirri and Abdulla Al Mirri.
Prominent riders from the Royal Jordanian Team are also in the fray and they are Jehad Shehaltog, Abdulhamid Al Saleh, Sobhi Khalil, Farah Abu Na'amea, Atalla Hamad and Lawrence Al Fayez.
Kuwait will be represented in this prestigious championship by two riders and they are Abdulla Al Eibani and Turki Al Mutairi.
Mean- while, Breef president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa were among the riders who underwent training at the village. Shaikh Nasser was accompanied by the federation's first vice-president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa who thanked riders from Bahrain and other countries who are taking part in the race.
Shaikh Khalid said the championship is expected to be one of the most exciting events this season, adding that a close battle promises to take place in both races due to the quality of riders taking part. He thanked Shaikh Hamdan for his participation in the championship which will add more thrills to the race.
Both the senior and junior races will be divided into five equal stages.
The senior race will kick off at 6am, while the junior race is set 30 minutes later.
Thirty kilometres each are set for the first and second stages, 25km for the third, 20km for the fourth and 15km for the fifth and final stage.
Veterinary examination is scheduled for tomorrow from 3pm until 5.30pm with a maximum weight of 75kg is allowed for the riders.
The event, being sponsored by Marsa Al Seef, follows the remarkable achievement of Breef president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa who finished second overall in the first-ever Endurance Grand Prix series which concluded in Dubai.
On behalf of His Majesty the King's Cup, Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa welcomes a large field of competitors including the participation of riders from the Royal Order of the UAE and Jordan and Kuwait. This event, with to the sponsorship of Marsa Al Seef, is to be held Saturday, March 14.