Sport | Other Sports

Impressive entry for Maktoum Challenge

More than 100 riders from the UAE and abroad are expected to line-up for a slice of the Dh550,000 cash prize and a sparkling new Nissan Patrol car in Saturday's 120-km Shaikh Maktoum Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Challenge endurance ride at Dubai International Endurance City.

  • By M. Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter
  • Published: 01:15 February 21, 2008
  • Gulf News

  • Image Credit: Vazhisojan/Gulf News
  • Al Muhairi (left) and Al Khamiri announce the details of the Shaikh Maktoum Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Challenge at a press conference yesterday.

Dubai: More than 100 riders from the UAE and abroad are expected to line-up for a slice of the Dh550,000 cash prize and a sparkling new Nissan Patrol car in Saturday's 120-km Shaikh Maktoum Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Challenge endurance ride at Dubai International Endurance City.

Addressing a press conference here yesterday, Ali Moosa Al Khamiri, General Manager of the Dubai Equestrian Club, said: "Around 120 entries have been received for the 120-km ride while we will also be having two Qualifier rides. The 82-km Qualifier has attracted 31 entries while the 44-km Qualifier to have 35 riders in the fray."

"The Dubai Equestrian Club is thankful to Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance. This is the third time Shaikh Hamdan is sponsoring this event and we are indebted to his continued support of the sport," Ali Moosa said.

Saturday's Shaikh Maktoum Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Challenge ride will start at 6am and will be run in five loops of 31, 32, 27 18 and 12 kms each.

Also addressing yesterday's press conference was Ali Mohammad Al Muhairi, Shaikh Hamdan's Racing Manager and a top endurance trainer and rider.

"This event comes under the umbrella of the Al Nasr Stables and most of the top riders will be taking part in it," Al Muhairi said.

"Last year we had 86 riders taking part with 25 of them completing this event," he added. Yousuf Ahmad Al Beloushi, who won this ride on Cameo Zinnia, will be back to defend his tile.

While the winner of Saturday's ride will not only drive away with a Nissan Patrol, but will also get a fair share from the Dh550,000 on offer and the prize money will be distributed up to the 20th placed rider, according to Ali Moosa.

The first 10 horses finishing within one hour of the first-placed horse will be eligible to enter the Best Condition Competition.

"We also have Dh50,000 as cash prizes which will be raffled to the public who will be given free tickets to participate," Ali Moosa added.

"We also have Dh50,000 as cash prizes which will be raffled to the public who will be given free tickets to participate."

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