Ahmed Mohammed Jasim Al Hammadi riding Delta Moon Shine came up with a steady performance to emerge victorious in Round One of the Emirates Challenge Endurance series in Al Wathba here yesterday.
General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Minister of Defence and Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the President's Private Department, attended yesterday's ride which also kick-started the first of the three rounds in the Dh two million Emirates Challenge Series.
The short-statured Jasim Al Hammadi, who is also bidding to become a flat-racing jockey, revealed excellent riding skills and once most of the favourites made an early exit, he had no problems in registering his second career win.
Before the start of the fourth stage in the five-stage race, most of the favourites including Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri, Mubarak Khalifa bin Shafya and Sultan bin Sulayem were out.
That left Jasim Al Hammadi to battle it our with Sheikh Ahmed bin Humaid Al Nuaimi and a pack of international riders who made themselves proud with a good display.
Al Hammadi on his way to victory. |
Al Hammadi found his 10-year-old grey gelding, Delta Moon Shine, in sparkling condition and the duo registered a 24.84kmph speed in the final loop to emerge easy winners.
Jasim Al Hammadi completed the 120-km ride in five hours 35 minutes and 47 seconds.
Sheikh Ahmed, a former UAE season topper, finished second, but was not placed as his horse Minadri Aesmarin was eliminated.
Australia's Jason Graham Kirk finished second and for the first time since the UAE's domestic endurance season came into existence there were eight non-UAE riders in the top 10. Five of the horses that finished in the top 10 belonged to Al Reef Stables.
Commenting on his win Jasim Al Hammadi said it was the team work at Al Reef Stables which paved the way for his success. "Yes, my horse was in good condition. But we all worked very hard at Al Reef and are delighted with this success," he said.
"I was a bit slow and cautious in the first two loops but after that we were confident," Al Hammadi added.
Jasim Al Hammadi was recently sent on a flat-race training course and is currently waiting to get his license before he starts as a jockey. "I thank Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan for all the support and encouragement," the ace rider said after he was congratulated by Sheikh Tahnoun for his victory.
"My next target is the President's Cup and we are working hard on it," said Jasim Al Hammadi, who finished third in the prestigious event last year.
The second and third rounds of yesterday's Emirates Challenge series will be held on February 27 and April 3 at the Dubai Endurance City and Emirates Endurance Village respectively.
Hussein Mohammed Hussein, Secretary General of the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation, said the Emirates Challenge series was good for both riders and horses. "The focus is more on steady riding at average speeds and quite a few riders who finished today were aiming at collecting points towards the final tally," he remarked.
The results:
1. Ahmed Mohammed Jasim Al Hammadi (Delta Moon Shine) 5:35:47;
2. Jason Graham Kirk -Australia-(Allura Park Star Minoan) 5:50:36;
3. Jesus Manuel Berna-Spain- (Malincada) 5:54:26;
4. Dr. Jaber Bittar-Brazil- (Ningadoo Baqi) 6:02:21;
5. Mohammed Jasim Rahimi-Iran-(Zanthus) 6:02:22;
6. Daniel Olivares De Vivero -Argentina- (Slsabeel)-6:04:56;
7. Abdul Hasan Ahmed Al Hammadi (Kabeesa) 6:18:58;
8. Alina Maria Gonzales Vidal-Argentina- (Orimero) 6:22:26;
9. Anzaq Mehmoud-Pakistan-(Towitta Tennyson) 6:26:26;
10. Maec Le Bervet -France-(Kzachir Ali MMN) 6:29.29.
