Dubai: A strategic decision of not increasing the pace in the third loop proved decisive as Shaikh Rashid Dalmouk Al Maktoum advanced in the final loop to gain the victory in the 120km Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Cup that saw the top four riders cross the line arm-in-arm in a group finish.
The Crown Prince Endurance Cup, sponsored by Emirates and organised by Dubai Equestrian Club (DEC), was the showpiece event of the four-day Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Festival at the Dubai International Endurance City (DIEC).
Attending the prestigious event was His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, who presented the awards to the top four riders.
Shaikh Rashid guided his mount Aghaab to a final ride time of 4:24:50 as Shaikh Hamed Dalmouk Al Maktoum finished second aboard Alhambra Windfaerer in 4:24:51 to give MRM Stables a one-two finish. In third place was Abdulla Ghanim Al Marri astride Cahuane PP for Fazza 3 Stables while the fourth finisher was Saif Ahmad Al Mazroui on Napoli Del Ma for MRM Stables.
After finishing the 40km first loop in 16th, Shaikh Rashid moved to a well-placed seventh after the 30km second loop. He gained three places in the third loop and began the final loop in fourth place.
“The third loop was very tactical. If I moved too fast in this loop it would have been costly. I maintained a good pace so I was able to press harder in the final loop,” said Shaikh Rashid.
“This as an amazing event and I am so honoured to win. I was fortunate to win His Highness Endurance Cup at the end of last year and now I am equally pleased to win the Crown Prince Endurance Cup. My goal now is to try and win the President’s Cup. This would be the ultimate goal.”
The event brought to close the prestigious Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Festival that consisted of four events held from March 18-21. Headed by the Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Ride on Saturday as the closing event, the festival included the Dubai Crown Prince Ride for Ladies, a 90km on Wednesday, the only contest exclusively offered for women; Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Ride restricted to Private Stables, a 100km contest on Thursday; and the Yamamah Endurance Cup for Mares, a 120km ride on Friday.
Mohammad Essa Al Adhab, Deputy General Manager of DEC, said: “We are honoured to organize and present the Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Cup as a wonderful finish to the Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Festival. This is a great festival that showcases all segments of the endurance riding sport. We congratulate all the riders that took part in the Festival and congratulate today’s winner. We thank Emirates for sponsorship of the Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Cup and thank them for their wonderful support of endurance riding.”
