Abu Dhabi: Muhairi Wins National Day Endurance Race

Khaleejtimes.com - Full Article

James Jose

14 December 2008

ABU DHABI — Ali Mohammed Al Muhairi bounced back in style to win the prestigious National Day Cup FEI CEI 120km Endurance Ride at the Emirates Endurance Village in Al Wathba on Saturday.

With this win in one of the most looked forward to event of the Endurance season, Dubai’s Ali Mohammed Al Muhairi also brought the National capital’s domination to a halt. Riders from Abu Dhabi have won all the six Rides of the season so far — three Open Rides and three Junior Rides.

It was a sensational and sweet win for Ali Mohammed Al Muhairi as he was placed 16th after the first loop of 32km. And also, his horse Sudan was vetted out in the Shaikh Rashid bin Hamdan Challenge two weeks ago. It was ridden by his younger brother Ali Thani Mohammed Al Muhairi. Sudan bounced back in style and it augurs well for owner Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Minister of Finance. Muhairi timed four hours, 47 minutes and 54 seconds. Abdullah Khamis Ali Saeed, who was leading until the fourth loop, had to settle for second after his horse Tris Filou, from the Al Reef Stables, was tired to make a dash to the finish. Sultan Ahmad Sultan bin Sulayem, bronze medallist at the World Endurance Championship in Malaysia, was third. Abdullah Khamis Ali Saeed had an overall time of four hours, 52 minutes and 22 seconds, while Sulayem had a timing of five hours and nine seconds.

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