Round One to Hassan Bin Ali

Dubai: Hassan Bin Ali adopted a patient and well-planned approach to win the first round of the Shaikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Challenge endurance ride at the Dubai International Endurance City here on Thursday.

Hassan, a consistent performer and winner of endurance rides a couple if years ago here in the UAE and also in Australia and Germany, returned to competitive riding again last season and scored a fine win yesterday aboard the 13-year-old horse Alyaboob.

Yesterday's ride was held under the patronage of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance and Industry, who attended the ride along with General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Minister of Defence. Speaking to reporters, Shaikh Hamdan expressed his happiness over the large field of runners in the ride.

"Endurance is really growing well in the UAE. It is also encouraging that many stables are doing well," he said.

Commenting on his endurance horses, Shaikh Hamdan said: "We have a crop of horses from Australia and most of them are promising. However, like in all cases they need time to get acquainted to the climate and I feel they will be ready for next season." Alyaboob, winner of yesterday's race, is owned by Shaikh Hamdan.

Hassan Bin Ali and Alyaboob finished the first stage of 32 kms in 32nd place and later climbed to 16th place after the second stage.

Gathering pace in the third stage, Hassan hit the front in the penultimate stage and then went on to win comfortably.

Dahi Abdullah Dahi on Omani Eman finished second and Mubarak Abdullah Al Bloushi from the all-conquering Al Reef Stables was third.

"I owe this win to Shaikh Hamdan who has been patient and allowed me to ride some of his best horses. I have been riding for the second season now since my comeback," the winner told Gulf News.

"During the third loop, I realised I had a chance and then went for it in the fourth loop. Even as we started the final loop, I was very confident and I just had to finish in good condition," said Hassan, the former racing manager for Shaikh Hamdan.

It was the second time that Hassan Bin Ali was riding Alyaboob, having finished sixth in a ride last season on the same horse.

Shaikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum, Shaikh Saeed Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum, along with Dubai Equestrian Club Vice-Chairman Saeed Al Tayer and Hussain Mohammad Hussain, the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation Secretary General, gave away the trophies to the winners.

Earlier, a total of 90 riders got off to a mass start at 6.15am in this first round of the two-round Shaikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Challenge.

Among those who made an early exit were Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum (after first stage), Shaikh Ahmad Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum (between second and third stage) and Shaikh Majid Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum (Stage Two).

Yousuf Ahmad Al Bloushi from Al Reef Stables, chasing his third win of the season, led after the first two stages but his horse Willow Creek Petite failed the re-presentation vet check due to lameness.

Princess Haya Bint Al Hussain was also unlucky when her horse Flambeur met a similar fate at the third vet gate during re-presentation.

Commenting on his endurance horses, Shaikh Hamdan said: "We have a crop of horses from Australia and most of them are promising. However, they need time ..."

Results

1. Hassan Bin Ali (Alyaboob) 5:12.35
2. Dahi Abdullah Dahi (Omani Eman) 5:14.58
3. Mubarak Abdullah Al Bloushi (Cameo Zinniaa) 5:25.21
4. Abdullah Bin Huzaim (Sheitan de Rachity) 5:30.57
5. Jesus Manuel Berna (Phantasm) 5:31.49
6. Mohammad Jasim Rahim (Boaz) 5:33.25
7. Ali Yousuf Al Hammadi (Salashil) 5:34.47
8. Dr. Jaber Bittar (Henams Michael Angelo) 5:35.21
9. Yousuf Abdullah Al Hammadi (Phoenix) 5:54.45
10. Khalifa Bin Ghalaita (El Estande) 6:06.35.