Abu Dhabi: Al Reef Stables ended the 2005-2006 endurance season on a high note by sweeping the top three places in the 120km Al Reef Challenge Cup, the season's first night-ride, at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba on Thursday.
Yousuf Ahmad Al Bloushi led a trio of Al Reef riders across the finish line first to claim his third victory of the season.
Partnering the nine-year-old part-Arab Carallio, Al Bloushi completed the gruelling 120km ride in 4 hours and 47 minutes, less than a minute ahead of stable-mate Khalid Abdul Rahim Al Hammadi, who was aboard the Purebred Arabian Mindari Aenzac.
Al Reef's Spanish rider Jesus Manuel Berna brought up the third place for the stable when he crossed the line in 4:48.18.
The final race of the endurance season attracted over 100 riders. The race began at 4.30pm and ended after midnight.
Berna, riding Tris Filou, led for most of the distance before he was overtaken by his stable-mates.
"It's a fantastic way to end the season, on a winning note, the way it all began for me," said Al Bloushi who won the first two rides at the start of the season.
"I had a bit of catching up to do in the final 16-kilometre loop, but my horse was in good shape and responded well to overtake five horses who were in front of me."
Al Bloushi said was it was team work that had resulted in the success that the stable has achieved this season. "We have a fantastic team and we receive a lot of support from Shaikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nahyan," he said.
Saudi Arabian rider Abdul Hafiz Al Turkamani, on board Chicora, led the field at the end of the 32km loop of the race. But Berna took over in the second loop before he surrendered the lead to Shaikh Khalid Bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
However, Shaikh Khalid's mount, Ramalea Captain Starlight, was disqualified at the end of the third loop.
Berna reclaimed the lead which he held until he was overtaken by Al Bloushi and Al Hammadi in the run up to the finish.
Abdullah Khamis Al Dahi, riding Omani Eman, finished in fourth place while Shaikh Abdullah Bin Faisal Al Qasimi, riding Coolahlee Park Charlene, was fifth. Less than two minutes separated the top five riders.
Results
(Read as rider, country, horse, owner):
1. Yousuf Ahmad Al Bloushi (UAE/ Carallio/ Al Reef Stables) 4hours 47.51minutes; 2. Khalid Abdul Rahim Al Hammadi (UAE/ Mindari Aenzac/ Al Reef) 4.48.03;
3. Jesus Manuel Berna (Spain/ Tris Filou/ Al Reef) 4.48.18;
4. Abdullah Khamis Al Dahi (UAE/ Omani Iman/ Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum) 4.48.24; 5. Shaikh Abdullah Bin Faisal Al Qasimi (UAE/ Coolahlee Park Charlene/ Shaikh Faisal Bin Saqr Al Qasimi) 4.48.30; 6. Omair Hussain Abdullah Al Bloushi (UAE/ Cedar Ridge Jumpin Jack Flash/ Al Reef) 4.57.56; 7. Marzooq Salem Al Merri (UAE/ Ro-Fabiola/ Al Wathba Stables) 5.08.25; 8. Mansoor Ahmad Ali Al Subose (UAE/ Dunwingeri Maakhal (Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum) 5:19.3; 9. Bhor Singh Bhanwar (India/ Djouras Pas/ The President's Stables) 5.33.21; 10. Kalu Singh Chain (India/ Zuhur Tarik/ The President's Stables) 5.39.18.