December 7, 2013, Abu Dhabi ~ UAE top rider Ali Yousuf Al Hammadi astride Armour Neyak made the win in the Saturday, CEI 120km ** National Day Cup endurance race for the Wathba Endurance Stables in great style. The winner covered the 120km on the Anglo/Arab mare in 4:14:04 at an average speed of 28.33 km/hr succeeding over a starting list of 164 international riders.
The Endurance Cup was held at the Emirates International Village at Al Wathba on Saturday, December 7, and was attended by top officials including His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Also attending were Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance, Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor, Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy National Security Advisor, Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs and Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum.
Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Jumaa Al Maktoum, riding Mureeb finished second, Sheikh Hamad Dalmook Jumaa Al Maktoum was third on Printemps De Marot and behind them came Ali Ghanim Al Marri on Castlebar Tornedo in a clean sweep of the UAE lads of the top ten positions of the grueling race.
Click on PDF for Final Results: 
The event was held under the directive of Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan as part of the HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, and sponsored by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council to mark the celebrations of the 42nd anniversary of the National Day.
Adnan Sultan, director of the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Lara Sawaya, director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival and chairman of the Ladies Racing Committee in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR) joined by Salah Al Marzouqi, representing the sponsors Abu Dhabi Sports Council, gave away the trophies and prizes to the winners.
The winner was also handed over the keys of the 4WD car, the festival’s Rolex watch and a painting done by the German artist, Christine, in addition to the prize-money of Dh500.000 for the top finishers.
Sawaya commented: “It was a tough race and the riders went on a relatively high speed. It was a great competition to mark a great day in the history of the nation. We are delighted to have 164 competitors from both sexes making the lineup for the event.
“HH Sheikh Mansoor was also keen to receive the delegation of the University of Liverpool, one of the world’s leading specialized institution in Sports Science. Sheikh Mansoor heard from the delegation the methods of weight reducing for the jockeys without side effects. The same will be applied to the jockeys who will take part in the races of the sixth edition of the festival next year.
A special news conference will be held at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club at 6 pm down on the paddock on Sunday to announce the Partnership of HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival and James Moores Liverpool University for the Research which will be conducted by the University as the first of its kind on the jockeys,” she said.
The HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival is organized by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority and co-ordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council in association with Emirates Racing Authority, IFAHR and Emirates Arabian Horse Society, supported by General Authority for Youth and Sports Welfare with Emirates airlines as the official carrier and sponsored by Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), Invest AD, Arabtec Holding PJSC, Al Rashid Investment, Al Awani General Enterprises, Kabale, Al Wathba Centre, the UAE’s General Women’s Union,Women Sports Committee, the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2013, Dr. Nader Saab Switzerland, Wathba Stud Farm, Al Wathba Center, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, and Eastern Mangroves Suites-Abu Dhabi by Jannah.
Photos by Morhaf
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