Windsor, Great Britain: Colours of the United Arab Emirates flag fluttered
gloriously in British sunshine on Friday after Team UAE put on a dominant show to
reclaim the CEI3* 160 km ride at Royal Windsor Endurance.
The ride was the feature among three international events that made up the 2025
Royal Windsor Endurance programme and the UAE team performed splendidly as
MRM Stables’ Saif Al Mazrouei clinched a second victory at the event, nine years
after his first in 2016, with a commanding performance in the saddle of Bullio
Quasillo, trained by Bhanwar Singh. The pair held top spot on the leaderboard over
the five loops to win in seven hours, 19 minutes and 34 seconds having raced at an
average speed of 21.84 kph.
Al Mazrouei finished 16 seconds ahead of UAE counterpart Saeed Hamoud Al
Khayari, the 2017 winner, who partnered M7 Endurance Stables’ Dragon Feuillee,
trained by Saeed Ahmad Al Shamsi. While Al Khayari remained rooted to second
throughout, Bahrain’s Fahad Helal Al Khatri held on to third place all the way
aboard Fizz Fageole.
Royal Windsor Endurance is part of the larger Royal Windsor Horse Show and
attracts an impressive international field of horses, riders, trainers, grooms and
support crew. Running alongside the CEI3* competition were the CEI2* and CEI1*
rides over 120 and 100 km courses, respectively.
Al Mazrouei’s victory marked a seventh success for Team UAE in 12 editions of
Royal Windsor Endurance since its commencement in 2013 and further cemented the UAE’s position as the most successful nation in the history of the event, which in 2014 was won by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Defence.
Bahrain were not to be denied in the CEI2* 120 km ride won by Saud Mubarak on
Geronimo Du Sauveterr. That podium was completed by a pair of Emirati riders
representing M7 Endurance Stables - Ahmad Abdulrahman Al Bastaki (SW Ielchik)
and Essa Rashed Al Mazrouei (SW Inkarient). The CEI1* 100 km competition was
won by Frenchwoman Lea Vandekerckhove on Balkan Biliska AA, a horse provided
by F3 Stables. She finished ahead of a pair of Emirati riders, both from F3 Stables,
Rashid Mohammed Al Baloushi, who took second on Dorkkan De Fignols, and MRM Stables Manal Abdulla Al Balooshi, who placed third on Bullio Charles.
Royal Windsor Endurance enjoys a unique setting through Windsor Great Park with
riders departing at the crack of dawn to tackle routes that take competitors through
stunning scenery and iconic sites including the Copper Horse, Long Walk, the Philip
Jackson equestrian statue of Queen Elizabeth II and Smith’s Lawn, known for
hosting top flight polo action. The course tested rider-horse pairings over different
terrain including woodland tracks, grassland, water and roadways, as well as
varying light levels through often dense tree coverage.
Commenting on the win Sheikh Rashed bin Dalmook Al Maktoum, Chairman of
Dubai Equestrian Club, said: “It is with immense pride and heartfelt admiration that
I congratulate the UAE team on their outstanding victory at Royal Windsor
Endurance.
“This prestigious competition is steeped in history as it is held in the iconic settings
of Windsor Great Park in the UK and was often witnessed by the late Queen
Elizabeth II. This sport is a true test of endurance, skill, and reveals the deep
connection between horse and rider. For the UAE team to emerge victorious on this
global stage is not just a testament to their athletic excellence, but to their discipline, preparation, and unwavering spirit.
“This win adds another glorious chapter to the UAE’s legacy in the world of
international endurance riding which was built on the glories achieved by its
passionate leaders like HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-
President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and HH Sheikh
Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime
Minister of the UAE and Minister of Defence. Sheikh Mohammed won the FEI World Endurance Championship in 2012 and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed won this event in 2014 and their legacy continues through this present generation of riders that have been thoroughly inspired and supported by them.”
Ahmed Al Kaabi, Acting General Manager of Dubai Equestrian Club, who was also
the Chef d’Equipe of UAE team, added: “Our riders demonstrated not only physical
endurance but also strategic brilliance and true sportsmanship. Their performance
reflected the highest values of Emirati equestrian tradition — commitment to
excellence, respect for the horse, and pride in representing the nation.
“Bahrain have always been strong contenders and they challenged fiercely, but our
trainers from MRM, M7 and F3 Stables had their strategy in place and their plans
were perfect to make this one of the biggest wins of all time as we dominated the
main event and made sure to be on the podium in the other two races as well.
“I would also like to extend my sincere appreciation to the trainers, veterinary
teams, support staff, and everyone who works tirelessly behind the scenes. Victories like these are never achieved alone and they are the result of a collective effort driven by passion and unity and we hope it serves as an inspiration to our younger riders and as a symbol of what can be achieved when preparation meets determination.”
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.
SaeedAlKhayari
