Nouf Reda wins Sheikha Fatma Ladies ride

Resultado Final - Eliminações

Nouf Abdul Reda, astride 11-year-old Anglo Arabia gelding RR Erebus, landed the 100km HH Sheikha Fatma Bint Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Ladies Endurance Cup for Al Maghaweer Stables,  at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi on Friday, February 26.

HH Sheikha Mahra Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum headed the 108 riders who started the race under favourable weather conditions at the beautiful venue which was decked up with a lot of side activities at the ‘Arts Creative Land’ for young kids and especially girls.

The race was attended by HH Sheikha Fatma Bint Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan accompanied by her two brothers HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.  All three crowned the winners of the ride along with Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club and Ms Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, Chairman of the Int'l Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA), Chairman of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committees in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR).

Nouf and RR Erebus covered the distance in 3 hours, 26 minutes and 34 seconds at an average speed of 29.04kmph. Polish rider Kamila Anita Karet was second on Thaalob and in third was Argentine Sabrina Mendiz on HCE Magfalcada Su.

The riders managed to take advantage of the relatively cool weather conditions in the early morning and put their horses on top gear to finish the first loop in 1:22:22 seconds at an average speed of 40km/ hour. Aisha Darweesh showed the way and close on her heels was Mira Jassem Al Ansari with Kart in third.

But, the winner began to make steady progress until she hit the front in the concluding stage and from then on went on to win.

Trainer Abdulla Mohammed Rashid Al Naqbi was delighted and said: “I would like to dedicate the victory to HH Sheikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor and Deputy Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, the patron of the Al Maghaweer Stables.”

“RR Erebus is a good horse and easy to train. He has finished third in Al Dhafra Endurance Ride at the beginning of the season and hopefully he will continue to impress during the rest of the season,” he said.

Meanwhile, Nouf, the winner commented: “I’m truly happy. The race was tough and the competition was too strong. The third loop was particularly very difficult.”

Nouf thanked her trainer for his useful directives which have helped her to win the race.

M/S Lara Sawaya said the race was fantastic with HH Sheikha Fatma Bint Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and her brothers attending the race.

“The children’s Art Creativity Land was great and the children have enjoyed the moments and the events and the precious prizes which were presented to them,” she said.

“Sixteen journalists have come from Switzerland to attend the race on invitation from the Festival under the directives of HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.

“I’m delighted to see Nouf winning. She is one riders of the Festival’s endurance team,” she said.

The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival is sustained by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and coordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, with National Feed and Flour Production and Marketing Co. LLC as associate sponsors, IPIC as Strategic Partner, The  National Archives as the official partner and Emirates airline as the official carriers, in cooperation with Emirates Racing Authority, IFAHR, Emirates Arabian Horse Society, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare with  and sponsored by Ayadii LLC, Global United Veterinary Services LLC, Bloom, Petromal, Rise General Trading Co. LLC, Hayatna, Wathba Stallions, Abu Dhabi Falconers Club, Emirates Falconers Club,  Mohamed Bin Zayed Falconry and Desert Physiognomy School, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), Al Awani General Enterprises, Kabale, Omeir Travels, Dr Nader Saab Switzerland , Laboratories Fadia Karam Cosmetics, YAS Channel, Racing Post, Paris Turf,  Al Wathba Centre, the UAE's General Women's Union, The Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2016,  Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Eastern Mangroves Suites-Abu Dhabi by Jannah, Anantara Eastern Mangroves Spa and Resort.

Source: HH SH Mansoor Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival / Satya Narayan
Photo: Morhaf Al Assaf