Argentine Bastons wins HH Sheika Fatma Bint Mansoor Ladies 100-km ride

RESULTS

Argentina’s Catalina Bastons won the HH Sheikha Fatma Bint Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Ladies Endurance Cup CEN 100 Km Endurance Ride at the Emirates International Endurance Village, Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi on Friday, February 24. Riding 9-year-old chestnut gelding SM Jota Curado, Bastons prevailed in one of the most hotly contested ladies ride in which all the top five were in the running until the final minutes. With 105 lady riders starting in this four stages race, Bastons did show her superiority as the rider representing Jumeirah Stables finished the first loop in third place and then took over to lead in each of the remaining three stages. But the UAE’s Afnan Mohammed Abdulla on Instantaneo, representing Al Wathba Stables gave her a tough challenge and finished just six seconds behind the Argentine while Libyan lady rider Waad Nadim Bou Moghlbay on Patagonia Simon, who was second going into the final loop, finished fifth. Italian Alice Misino and Polish rider Kamila Kart finished third and fourth respectively. The top three lady riders won a car each while the other riders also got attractive awards for finishing at the top.

On the sidelines of the ride, it was a mini festival of fun and frolic as a team of entertainers from France delighted the large number of young girls. “HH Sheikha Fatma, HH Sheikh Mohammed, HH Sheikh Hamdan and HH Sheikha Lateefa, children of HH Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs attended the festivities and took part in the action.

Ms Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, Chairperson of the International Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA) and Chairperson of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committees in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR) said, “It was a great day thanks to the presence of Sheikha Fatma, Sheikh Mohammed, Sheikh Hamdan and Sheikha Lateefa, children of HH Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The special fashion show which was staged for the first time at the ‘Wathba Land’ by professional mannequins and fashion models from both sexes. All the games were specially prepared and brought from France for the Emirates International Endurance Village and HH Sheikha Fatma Bint Mansoor has selected the gifts that were drawn in a raffle for the children.”

Adnan Sultan, Director General of Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, who attended the prize distribution along with Ms Sawaya and other representatives of sponsors, said it was a record number of riders for this ladies event.

The race underlined the great attention of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan for this sport from all technical, administrative and financial aspects and this put the Festival’s events at the top of the world’s equine map.

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, 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 2017, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Eastern Mangroves Suites-Abu Dhabi by Jannah, Anantara Eastern Mangroves Spa.

The results (top five) in Friday’s 100-km endurance ride
1. Catalina Bastons – ARG (SM Jota Curado) 03hrs28 mins 00 secs;
2. Afnan Abdul Hamid M. Abdulla – UAE (Instantaneo) 03:28:06;
3. Alice Misino – ITA (Tudo Du Cambou) 03:28:32;
4. Kamila Anita Kart – POL (Razorback Mechano) 03:29:58;
5. Waad Nadim Bou Moghlbay – LIB (Patagonia Simon) 03:32:27

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