HM the King meets HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Dubai, Mar.12 (BNA): His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa met UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Dubai Ruler His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum during the grande finale which featured the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup. The curtain fell on the festival, with the 15th edition of the 160-kilometre long race which was held on the Cup of HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, at the Seih Al Salam grounds, with the participation of jockeys from the UAE and the world. During the meeting, HM the King and HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum discussed ways of supporting equestrian sports, especially endurance races in a way that will further enhance the progress of endurance racing locally, regionally and internationally and ensure the preparedness of riders for international competitions. They hailed strong historic and fraternal relations binding the two friendly countries. Present were HM the King’s Representative for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Dubai Equestrian Club Chairman Shaikh Rashid bin Dalmouk Al Maktoum and other officials and sports figures. Shaikh Rashid bin Dalmouk Al Maktoum and Jamal bin Theniyah, Emaar Properties Chairman, crowned the winners, in the presence of Major General Dr. Mohammed Isa Al Adhab, board member and director-general of Dubai Equestrian Club. Abdulla Ghanim Al Marri aboard Castlebar Corsair from F3 Stable finished first, while Argentinian Catalina Bastons onboard Chassagne De Sommant from Jumeirah Stables came in as the runner-up, and Rashid Ahmad Seghayer Alktebi riding At Dial Range Tex from M7 Endurance Stables came in third. Organised by the Dubai Equestrian Club and sponsored by Emaar Properties, the 15th edition of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup, attracted 155 riders representing various stables in the UAE. The Festival, which kicked off on 7th March, attracted elite riders in four rides: Ladies, Private Stables, Gamilati, and the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup. Dubai Equestrian Club chairman expressed deepest thanks and gratitude to HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for his support to the equestrian sports. Shaikh Rashid bin Dalmouk expressed his appreciation to Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, for his unlimited support to equestrian sports and endurance rides, which is reflected in the staging of this leading annual Festival at the Dubai International Endurance City. He added that the attendance of HM the King and HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum had a great impact on encouraging and motivating the riders during the race. Shaikh Rashid bin Dalmouk Al Maktoum congratulated the champions of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup, as well as all the winners of the other races held as part of the Festival. He also praised the highly competitive spirit witnessed during the Festival, which attracted a huge public attendance, as well as the enthusiasm of the elite riders participating in the Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup.