More prizes added to richest endurance event

Dubai: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has generously given the world's most valuable endurance race, named in his honour, a wonderful boost after adding four 4x4 vehicles to the the total kitty of Dh1.5 million of prize money on offer.

The Dubai Equestrian Club (DEC) had announced the world's richest-ever endurance ride - the His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup 2008 - with Omega as title sponsors, earlier this week.

According to a DEC press release, the richest-ever endurance ride has received a further boost with the four vehicles on offer as prizes.

Twenty-six international riders will be joined by competitors from the UAE and the rest of the region in the 160-km event, to be held at Dubai International Endurance City on Saturday.

General manager of the DEC, Ali Moosa Al Khamiri, said: "We are indebted to His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum for his extremely kind gesture, which is sure to make competition even fiercer for this fabulous event."

Entrance is free and enthusiasts can sample the action up close on the course as DEC will operate a fleet four-wheel drives for the desert. Alternatively, fans can keep in touch with the action via the big screens.

There will be plenty of action off the track too with a variety of family entertainment and a jazz band that will play all day.