Over 100 riders for Sheikh Rashid bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Challenge Festival
24 December 2014, Abu Dhabi ~ The Emirates International Endurance Village in Abu Dhabi is set for the Sheikh Rashid bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Challenge Festival For Private Owners, a CEN 120km Endurance Ride to be held near Al Wathba on Saturday, 27 December.
At the Press Conference announcing the ride, Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club said, “The event is held under the directives of the HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance with over 100 riders in the fray and carries a total purse of Dh1m ($272,250.00) in prize-money to be distributed among all riders who complete the race plus a brand new Lexus car to be driven home by the winner.”
According to Al Nuaimi, the race starts at 7am and the distance is split into five phases marked: Yellow (40km), Blue (27km), Red (26km), Orange (19km) and White (16km).
“We have introduced for the first time the 40km distance in a move aimed at renewing the routes of the endurance rides,” Al Nuaimi clarified.
Salem Al Subosi, racing manager of the HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum said: “We are truly delighted to stage this annual event under the directives of HH Sheikh Hamdan to support and encourage small owners within the UAE as part of the national campaign to boost Arabian horse races at all levels.”
Al Subosi announced that, the plan is to host four endurance races during the current season, three of them at the Emirates International Endurance Village and one at the Dubai International Endurance City at Seih Assalam in Dubai.
Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, Chairman of the Int’l Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA) Chairman of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committee IFAHR) commented: “The HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival is in constant touch with HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum and we would like to thank Sheikh Rashid bin Hamdan Al Maktoum for supporting and encouraging the Arabian horse races.
“Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum has been present all the time with his horses in the events which are staged by the festival, and he is the biggest supporter of IFHAR races as well.
“Aisha Al Romaithi will be riding for the Seih Assalam stables of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum,” Sawaya continued. “She is one of the girls who won the gold for the UAE in Italy.”
The HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival is organised by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and coordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council in association with Emirates Racing Authority, IFAHR and Emirates Arabian Horse Society, supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs , the General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare with Emirates airline as the official carriers and sponsored by Invest AD, Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), Al Rashid Investment, Al Awani General Enterprises, Kabale, Al Wathba Centre, the UAE’s General Women’s Union, the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2014, Dr. Nader Saab Switzerland, Al Wathba Center, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Eastern Mangroves Suites-Abu Dhabi by Jannah, Abu Dhabi Sports Channel, National Archives and Racing Post.
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