Winners pose for a picture with the dignitaries during the presentation ceremony.

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Sherineh Al Falasi aboard Serafino of the Commando stables was crowned champion of the 17th edition of the National Day Cup race for a distance of 120 km, which was organized by the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba.

Sherineh’s victory gave the Commandos Stables, owned by Sheikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, their first title in this championship.

The race was held under the patronage of Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, joining the festivities ahead of the UAE’s 51st National Day.

Organised by the Emirates International Endurance Village in cooperation with the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation, the 120-km four-stage race drew the participation of more than 243 male and female riders representing stables from all over the country.

At its beginning, the race witnessed the absolute control of the rider Ibrahim Sabeel, who led the first three stages despite the fierce pursuit of the rest of the leading riders, but things changed with the last stage after the progress of both the riders, Sherineh, and Mansour Khamis.

Sherineh, who ranked third in the second and third stages, succeeded in jumping to the top in the last kilometers of the fourth and final stage, and the rider Khamis tried to catch up with her, but she widened the gap to reach the finish line first.

Sherineh crossed the stages of the race with a total time of (4:05:47) hours, and an average speed of (29.29) kilometers per hour.

Khamis riding Amira finished second for the stables (F3), after recording a time of 4:06:34 hours.

Al Wathba Stable’s Ibrahim Ali Sabeel aboard Sha Shahm settled for third place.

Sherineh dedicated the National Day Cup title to Sheikh Hazza, and said: I am very happy with this wonderful achievement that comes in the 17th edition of this tournament, which coincides with the country’s celebrations of the 51st Union Day.

Musallam Al Ameri, Director-General of the Emirates International Endurance Village, gave away the prizes to the winners in the presence of Ahmed Al Suwaidi, Executive Director of the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation, Abdul Rahman Al Rumaithi, Supervisor of the Village, Mohammed Al Hadhrami, Director of Events, Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the Racing Festival of Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Dafi Al Marri, Deputy Director of Qatar Endurance Club.

Musallam Al Ameri expressed gratitude to Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed for his unwavering support and patronage of the village's races.

He expressed delight over the success of the National Day Cup race.