VP receives winners of World Endurance C’ship

Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum said that the UAE continues to raise its performance in international endurance races year after year thanks to the accomplishments of its champion riders.

His Highness’s remarks came as he received, during his weekly Majlis in Zabeel Palace, and in the presence of Deputy Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE riders that won the 120 Km FEI Meydan World Endurance Championship for Young Riders and Juniors held at the San Rossore racecourse in Italy.

Sheikh Mohammed praised the exceptional performance of the winning riders who retained both their individual and team titles at the competition that attracted riders from 35 nations.

The reception was attended by President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum; Chairman of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and other dignitaries and senior officials.

UAE riders reigned supreme at the Endurance Championship bagging all the top five places in the 120 Km FEI Meydan World Endurance Championship for Young Riders and Juniors. They included first placed Saeed Al Muhairi, first runner-up Shaheen Al Mazrouei, second runner-up Saif Al Mazrouei, fourth-placed Fares Al Mansoori and fifth-placed Saif Beljafla.

As one of the most prominent equestrian gatherings, the Endurance Festival comprised a series of races, including the 120km FEI Meydan World Championship - Young Riders and Juniors, the 120km Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Italy Endurance Festival sponsored by Azizi and the 120km FEI World Championship Young Horses. The had a starting lineup of

225 horses and riders from 35 nations participated in the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Italy Endurance Festival.

The UAE claimed the top rank at the event. Saeed Sultan Al Maamri, riding Andy from MRM Stables, came in first, while David Abab Guerra from Spain, riding Nadin Fay, and Mariana Gomes Oliveira from Portugal, riding Jilguero II Ex Clavijo De Guad, bagged trophies for the second and third places respectively.

Meanwhile, Azizi Developments, one of the leading private developers in the UAE, sponsored the highly-esteemed Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Italy Endurance Festival.

This was the third consecutive year in which Azizi sponsors the prestigious event.

Farhad Azizi, CEO of Azizi Developments, said, “Azizi Developments wholeheartedly supports the vision of Sheikh Mohammed to promote and advance equestrian sports across the globe. As part of our strategic alliance with Meydan, we strive to consolidate the bond between the UAE and Italy and are keen to bring the two nations together under a banner of sportsmanship and collaboration. This festival is one of the most important and celebrated annual sporting events in the equestrian calendar. We are proud to partner with it once again, bringing communities together.”

As part of the sponsorship, Farhad Azizi presented the winning trophies to winners of the 120 km Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Italy Endurace Festival.

The event was part of the trilogy of races of Toscana Endurance Lifestyle 2019. The previous World Championship for Young Riders and Juniors was also held in Italy in Parco Giardino Sigurta, Verona in 2017.  

Fares Al Mansoori, Saif Al Mazrouei, Shaheen Al Mazroei, Saeed Al Muhairi and Saif Beljafla were part of the UAE team which took part in the event.

Meanwhile, an “airborne” Avilius delivered the third G1 victory of his career along with a promise of more to come with a comprehensive win in the George Main Stakes at Randwick on Saturday, 21 September.

The success, the highlight of a three-state Godolphin Stakes treble, confirmed Avilius is on track for some of Australia’s biggest races, with the G1 Caulfield Cup or the G1 WS Cox Plate – or both – now firmly on his agenda.

“It’s great to see him picking up a G1 today on the way to those bigger targets,” said an elated trainer James Cummings.

“He’s airborne ….. that was a Cox Plate effort today but his first-up run suggested he’s more of a Caulfield Cup horse, so we’ve got some thinking to do.”