Dubai: Kamila Anita Kart registered one of the biggest wins of her career when she came from behind to clinch the 120km Gamilati Endurance Cup for Mares and with it the keys to a brand-new four-wheel-drive car.
Kart, a 28-year-old Polish rider, finished second in this race last year with the same horse, Ajayeb, but in Thursday’s event she produced a stirring performance that left her in tears when receiving the car for her efforts.
The Gamilati Endurance Cup for Mares, organised by Dubai Equestrian Club (DEC) at Dubai International Endurance City, was sponsored by Land Rover and Al Tayer Motors.
Kart and her 12-year-old chestnut mare Ajayeb were in fourth position going into the final loop of the four-stage event. Timing her final run to perfection with about 200 metres to go, Kart managed to finish ahead of the UAE’s Mohammad Saeed Al Faresi on Gold Raven, while Abdullah Ghanim Al Marri on Heathfield’s Roxy, who had led from the start, ended up in fourth place behind Ahmad Ali Al Sabri on Shamirah de Brazy.
“We were in a group of over six horses when we went out for the final loop,” Kart told Gulf News. “I just stayed with the bunch and then the other horses began to tire.
“When we were closer to the finish it was just us and Mohammad Saeed Al Faresi. Since my mare seemed to have enough in reserve, I waited for the other horse to move ahead and then timed my run with about 200 metres to go, and we finished first.”
It was the third success in the UAE for the Polish rider, who added: “I thank the officials for giving us this opportunity to ride here and specially Jaume [Punti Dachs] and Maria [Alvarez] for without them I would not have had this success. Jaume is an endurance rider and trainer, while his wife Maria is a two-time world champion.”
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, attended the ride. Also in attendance was Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, who named this ride after the Godolphin-trained flat race mare Gamilati, who claimed the UAE 1,000 Guineas and UAE 1,000 Guineas Trial at Meydan Racecourse last season.
