Hamdan big winner at Al Marmoum Finale

Dubai: Dubai’s Al Asifa Stables and the Al Shahaniya Stables of Qatar demonstrated their immense potential when splitting the honours on the final day of the Al Marmoum Heritage Festival on Monday, the richest and most prestigious camel racing spectacle in the region.

However, Al Asifa Stables emerged as the bigger winner on the day when their rising star Takreem, a UAE homebred, pulled off a shock victory in the Dh2 million Emirates Sword, the showpiece race of the 12-day festival.

Prepared by first-season trainer Saeed Al Shaikh, Takreem, whose name means ‘respect’ in English, displayed superior endurance and stamina to win what was a compelling contest, by over eight lengths from the Qatar-owned defending champion Khoud.

As Takreem crossed the finish in a record time of 11 minutes 5.06 seconds for 8km, the crowd burst into celebrations as it marked a second victory on the day for Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council, who is also the chief patron of the Al Marmoum Heritage Festival.

Shaikh Hamdan, who followed the race all the way from close quarters in his Four Wheel Drive, was swamped by hundreds of fans at the finish.

It was a great finish to a great festival and the ovation that Shaikh Hamdan received made for enthralling viewing. “It’s big honour to win such a prestigious race for Shaikh Hamdan in my first year at Al Asifa Stables,” said Saeed Al Shaikh. It’s the greatest feeling in the world.

“To have won against Khoud makes it even more special. But all credit to the team who look after Takreem and have ensured that she is one hundred per cent fit for such an important race.”

However, there was compensation for Al Wehibi when Tashhar, a long-striding male camel, won the second Emirates Sword on the day, together Dh1 million in cash.

Other winners included Al Asifa’s Eftitah, who outstayed 29 her 29 rivals to win Dh500,000, a Golden Dagger and a Range Rover, and Qatar’s Al Rahawi winner of the opening race and Dh500,000 in cash and a prestigious spear.

Results

Race 1. Males (6 years +) 8km

1.Al Rahawi (Al Shahaniya Stables/ Qatar)

2. Al Wai (Presidents Stables/ UAE)

3. Al Hadr (Zabeel Camel Stables)

Winning time: 12:48.11 secs.

Race 2. Females (6+) 8km

1. Eftiath (Al Asifa Stables/ UAE)

2.Al Wathba (Presidents Stables/ UAE)

3. Muskara (Presidents Stables/ UAE)

Winning time: 11:59.07 secs.

Race 3. Emirates Sword (6+) 8km