Sheikh Mohammed celebrates Sheikh Hamdan’s victory at the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Endurance Cup.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, attended the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Endurance Cup, held in Al Ula Governorate in Saudi Arabia.
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid watching the horse race in Al Ula, Saudi Arabia. WAM

Sheikh Mohammed cheered on as the Crown Prince of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum galloped to victory, finishing in 04:35:13 hours. In the second place came MRM Stables’ Saif Al Mazrouei followed by F3 Stables’ Saeed Al Harbi.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Endurance Cup is considered one of the most important events on the horse endurance race calendar in the world. More than 200 riders representing 17 countries took part in the event.
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid hugs a horse rider in Al Ula, Saudi Arabia. WAM

The event was attended by Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Turki Al Faisal, Chairman of the General Sports Authority in Saudi Arabia; Sheikh Shakhbout Bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, UAE Ambassador to Saudi Arabia; Khalifa Saeed Sulaiman, Director General of the Department of Protocol and Hospitality in Dubai; and Saeed Humaid Al Tayer, CEO of Meydan Group.

Meanwhile, seven-race card at Al Ain on Friday evening was highlighted by the First Leg of the Al Ain Marathon Series, a 3200m handicap. Despite the extreme distance, the first three home were separated by just a fraction more than a length, with Sufyan clinging on by a fast diminishing head under Antonio Fresu to deny Hareer Al Reef who was closing relentlessly in the final 100m. Completing doubles for the jockey, trainer Ana Mendez and owner Al Wathba Racing, Fresu’s mount led for the first 1200m before surrendering the initiative to Richard Mullen aboard the same owner’s Ajjaj, attempting to concede weight to his 12 rivals but appearing to be travelling much the best of the pair.
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid attends the horse race event in Al Ula. WAM

Fresu was niggling at his mount fully 1600m out, but found a willing partner as they harassed Mullen’s mount throughout the entirety of the straight before regaining the advantage with less than 200m to run. It was then Pat Cosgrave conjured a flying finish from Hareer Al Reef, but the winning line was reached a second too soon for them. For Sufyan, it was a second career victory on his eighth start.

“That was quite work but full credit to the horse, who kept responding every time I asked him for extra effort,” Fresu said. “It was a 1000m further than he has ever run and against proven stayers, but he saw it out well and showed a really gutsy attitude.”