Al Qemazi wins Al Reef Cup

RESULTS

Top four riders awarded 4wd cars

In a dominating display, UAE rider Mohammed Ali Ateeq Al Qemazi, astride 14-year-old Woodbourne Star Flash won the FEI CEI** 120 Km Endurance Ride Al Reef Cup for the in-form Al Reef Al-Ain Stables at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba.
He also led a sweep by UAE riders who took the top three spots here on Saturday, January 14.

Saeed Sultan Shames Al Maamari, riding 13-year-old Anglo-Arab gelding Shaddad was one second behind in second place and behind them came compatriot Abdulla Ghanim Al Marri aboard 11-year-old Anglo-Arab gelding Tom Jones as 183 riders started the grueling race.

Indian rider Prem Singh Madan Singh, crossed the finish line fourth on his Cross-Bred Grey Gelding HC VIP and the top four drove away with brand new 4WD cars courtesy of the Emirates International Endurance Village.

The winner Mohammed Al Qemazi on Woodbourne Star Flash covered the distance in 4 hours, 14 minutes and 22 seconds at an average speed of 28.30km/hr.

The race was held under the directives of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affair as part of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Racing Festival.

Dr. Ahmed Nasser Al Raisi, Chairman of the Emirates Equestrian Federation accompanied by the FEI President Ingmar De Vos and his deputy Sheikh Khaled Bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi, director general of the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Ms. Lara Sawaya, Executive Director, 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), Dr. Abdulla Alraisi, General Manager of the National Archive Centre and the representatives of the sponsors presented the prizes and trophies for the winners.  

 

Meanwhile, the EEF chief praised the good organization of the event and the big number of participants as well as the commitment of the riders to the rules and regulations of the FEI thanks to the directives of the wise leadership which eventually lead to the development of the sport.

The FEI president toured the venue and congratulated the UAE for having such advanced systems and facilities.

Ms. Sawaya reiterated that the Festival’s support for the Arabian horse breeders and owners is endless.

“A new competition bringing together the Wathba Stud Farm Cup races in Al Ain and Abu Dhabi gets underway with a total prize-money of Dh 150.000. The top three points-earning horses in the championship will be sent by the festival to Morocco to take part in the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup during the upcoming World Arabian Horse Racing Conference from May 1 to 7, 2017. But, the horses which will be suited by the racetrack will be selected on priority basis,” 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  and sponsored by Al Aweer Stables, 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