Abu Dhabi: Al Reef off to a winning start

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

By M. Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter, Gulf News
November 15, 2009

Mohammad, Mansour attend season opener at Al Wathba

Abu Dhabi: The all-conquering Al Reef Stables got off to a winning start with Ahmad Salem Al Beloushi on Silversprings Kabir Arwa winning the 120-kilometre Sorouh Challenge, the season's first ride at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba on Saturday.

It was in fact a repeat of last year's winning start to the season here by the 11-year-old chestnut gelding, trained by one of the UAE's top trainer-cum-rider — Yousuf Ahmad Al Beloushi.

It was a dominating win for the young Ahmad Salem, who led in three of the five stages to complete the 120-kilometre ride in four hours 45 minutes and 13 seconds at an average speed of 25.24 kilometres per hour with veteran Hassan Bin Ali on Kalkadoon Vagabond finishing second.

"It is always great to ride a champion horse and right from the beginning I knew Silversprings Kabir Arwa was in top shape," said the winning rider, while trainer Yousuf said the horse will now aim for the President's Cup.

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