Belgian horse beats strong challenge on final day

Dubai: QR Marc, the pride of Belgium, who has triumphed in the show ring on three continents, added the prestigious Senior Male Gold Champion title at the $4 million Dubai International Arabian Championships to his CV on the final day on Saturday.

Owned by Knocke Arabians, Belgium, but on lease to the Dubai Arabian Horse Stud, the six-year-old impressed the six-judge panel to continue his winning run.

Earlier in the year he was declared gold champion in the Stallions category at the Abu Dhabi Arabian Horse Championship.

Dakharo, owned by Saudi Arabia's Prince Khalid Bin Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, bagged the silver champion title, while Ajman Stud's Spartacus TO won the bronze.

The Senior Female Championship also fell to a European entry, with Poland's Pianissima taking the gold with a surprise win over the Dubai Arabian Horse Stud's highly-regarded FT Shaella. Salwa Al Zobair, owned by Shaikha Nour Khalid Abdullah Al Thani, got bronze.

UAE-based Arabians swept both championships in the junior category. Kanz Al Bidayer, owned by Shaikh Mohammad Saoud Sultan Saqar Al Qassimi, won gold in the Junior Male Championship. In the Junior Female category, Ajman Stud's AJ Sawqahi was declared Gold Champion ahead of Ghazalat Al Khalediah and Ghabnadir Al Zobair.

RESULTS

Senior Male Championship

• Gold Champion: QR Marc
• Silver Champion: Dakharo
• Bronze Champion: Spartacus T.O

Senior Female Championship

• Gold Champion: Pianissima
• Silver Champion: FT Shaella
• Bronze Champion: Salwa Al Zobair

Junior Male Championship

• Gold Champion: Kanz Al Bidayer
• Silver Champion: Calypso OS
• Bronze Champion: D Myas

Junior Female Championship

• Gold Champion: Aj Sawahi
• Silver Champion: Ghazalat Al Khalediah
• Bronze Champion: Ghanadir Al Zobair