February 22 2025
One of the most prestigious competitions on the world endurance calendar, the festival was held in honour of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, a former World Endurance Champion himself and one of the world’s most ardent supporters and benefactors of equestrian sport. The five-day Festival, organised by Dubai Equestrian Club, comprised four rides, with the HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup drawing the curtains down on a frenzied week of competition that saw Al Mazrouei claim a second title in as many rides following his success aboard Bullio Ahnu in the Gamilati Cup for Mares sponsored by Al Tayer Motors on Thursday.
Victory in the Gamilati was a fine achievement, but it is the 160 km HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup that truly tests the skill, stamina and ability of both horse and rider, with the background support of the teams crucial throughout the five-loop contest. And it is in the big ones where the Bhanwar Singh-trained Magic Glenn Torque has time and again proved his class. It was much the same from the 14-year-old bay gelding on Saturday as he played his part in Al Mazrouei keeping close to the summit throughout the day, starting with fifth behind Spain’s Marc Vila Sabata, who led after the 40 km first stage aboard M7 Endurance Stables’ Malikan Wajir 13.
Even as the Spaniard held sway over the first three loops, Al Mazrouei and his mount dropped to eighth and found themselves up at sixth at the end of the third. Sabata dropping out of contention during the course of the fourth loop spanning 30 kms, witnessed F3 Stables pair of Sultan Aref Mohsen and Colorado Armor emerging as leaders heading into the fifth and final loop over 20 kms.
Al Mazrouei, meanwhile, would be making his bid from fourth, two minutes and 35 seconds behind the pace. But as he turned up the heat and went all out at a staggering 31.26kph, the Emirati ace cruised past the rest of his rivals to win, a 16 second buffer separating him from second-placed M7 Endurance Stables pair of Saif Juma Al Beljafla and Lalick De Fignols, who started the day at 20th and made consistent upward moves to finish the runners-up.
Al Mazrouei’s winning time was six hours 20 minutes and 31 seconds (6:20:31), while second placed Beljafla was timed at 6:20:47. Third place was claimed by Al Aasfa 2 pairing of Ali Abdulla Al Falasi and Goliath Larzac (6:20:55).
The first two events on the festival’s schedule, the HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup for Ladies sponsored by Azizi Developments and the HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup for Private Stables were won by Seeh Al Salam’s Omani rider Zamzam Al Hosani (Dorzok) and Al Awasif 2 Stables’ Ali Mohammed Qambar Al Blooshi (Sandine Raptor), respectively.
ABOUT DUBAI EQUESTRIAN CLUB
Established in 2002 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai Equestrian Club is a world leader in the sport of endurance riding and a pioneer when it comes to organising competitions in the United Arab Emirates at its purpose-built, state-of-the-art Dubai International Endurance City. Its annual calendar is headlined by two globally-renowned events: the HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Festival and Crown Prince of Dubai Endurance Festival.
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