29 January 2022

HH Shaikh Nasser says keen to make gains with participation in the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Endurance Cup

HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of HM the King for Humanitarian Works and Youth Affairs, followed in the presence of HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy President of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, President of the General Sports Authority, President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, and HH Shaikh Faisal bin Rashid Al Khalifa, Vice President of the Supreme Council for the Environment and Vice President of the High Committee of the Rashid Equestrian and Horse Racing Club, the Bahrain Royal Endurance team’s participation in the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Endurance Cup which took place on Saturday in Al Ula, Saudi Arabia. The event covered 120km and was held under the theme “The Knights Cup”. It featured a broad pool of elite participants.

HH was present to support the Kingdom’s jockeys throughout the event, providing valuable instructions and directions. HH Shaikh Nasser underlined the Royal Endurance team is proud for participating in a prestigious event that enjoys the  Royal sponsorship of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the King of Saudi Arabia and constant follow-up from HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister. He added that the event thanks to such support has elevated to a new height and has become one of the major global endurance competitions.

His Highness explained that the Kingdom’s participation through the Royal Endurance team has left a positive mark and the Bahraini jockeys have earned a great experience through developing a better understanding of the thick sand racecourse, especially that the team is gearing up for up-coming contests.

Moreover, HH Shaikh Nasser hailed the efforts made by the Organising Committee to make the event a huge success. It’s worth noting that the event showcased 200 participants representing 30 countries, including five from the Kingdom of Bahrain, namely Raed Mahmood, Abdulrahman Al Zayed, Othman Al Awadhi, Mohammed Abdul Samad and Isa Al Sendi. The Kingdom’s horses suffered various injuries that led to their failures in veterinary examinations. The event was won by Ferber Federico of Uruguay, followed by Rivero Andres (Uruguay) and Chazel Margot (France) respectively.

The Bahraini Participation

The events of the Bahraini participation through five jockeys unfolded as follows:

* Abdulrahman Al Zayed rode Chems Des Sauvlons and had occupied fifth place until the fourth stage. He pulled out the race after his horse suffered an injury.

* Othman Al Awadhi steered Nefertiti De Ka and led the first and second stages. He made a strong entry to the third round, but his horse also suffered an injury which led to his failure in the veterinary examination.

* Mohammed Abdul Samad Al Bastaki steered Adir Folie and successfully reached the third stage, but decided to withdraw the horse.

* Raed Mahmood rode Azaria D’ Ardic and his horse didn’t pass the veterinary examination after the second stage.

* Isa Jamal Al Sendi rode Safien and left the race after the conclusion of the first stage.

12 Dec 2021

In the Presence of Isa bin Abdullah..And for the Second Consecutive Year in the 120km race

Nasser bin Hamad Crowns Al Hashemi of Victorious Champion of National Day Endurance Championship

HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of HM the King for Humanitarian Works and Youth Affairs Honourary President of Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (BREEF) has crowned, in the presence of HH Shaikh Isa bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, President of BREEF, jockey Mohammed Abdulhameed Al Hashemi of the Victorious team as the champion of the 120km race which was held as part of the National Day Endurance Championship which was organised by BREEF on the occasion of the Kingdom’s celebrations to the National Day and HM the King’s accession to the throne. The event featured wide participation.

Moreover, HH Shaikh Nasser crowned Abdullah Al Ruwaie of the Victorious team and his teammate Isa Al Enzi as the second-place and third-place winners respectively. Commenting on this, HH Shaikh Nasser praised the great performances featured in the event as well as the wide participation, hailing the fierce competitions witnessed throughout the race.

He explained that the event delivered many goals, foremost of which confirming the great capabilities of the Kingdom’s jockeys and stables to compete with the best as this is an essential requirement to ensure the development of the endurance sport in Bahrain.

“All the jockeys gave their all to win, and we are happy with their displays. We will continue exerting further efforts to grow our endurance sport and enable it to reach the desired horizons. We will continue implementing our development initiatives and support the jockeys as well as the stables,” HH Shaikh Nasser said.

Meanwhile, HH Shaikh Nasser applauded the exceptional organisation of the event and the efforts made by BREEF under the presidency of HH Shaikh Isa bin Abdullah Al Khalifa to make it a great success, adding that the Kingdom possesses many qualified administrative and technical cadres who are able to contribute to making major functions a tremendous success.

From his side, HH Shaikh Isa bin Abdullah Al Khalifa expressed utmost thanks and appreciation to HH Shaikh Nasser for his continued efforts to develop the endurance sport.

He explained that the performances witnessed in the event are a clear statement for the tangible elevation of this sport in the Kingdom thanks to the backing of HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

It’s worth noting that Al Hashemi posted a time of 4 hours, 17 minutes and 15 seconds to win first, while Al Ruwaie came second in 4 hours, 17 minutes and 40 seconds. Al Enzi finished third in 4 hours, 19 minutes.

10 Dec 2021

HH Attends the Qualifiers at the Bahrain Endurance Village

National Day Endurance Championships to Take Place on Saturday Under the Patronage of Nasser bin Hamad

In the presence of HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of HM the King for Humanitarian Works and Youth Affairs Honourary President of Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (BREEF), and HH Shaikh Isa bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, President of BREEF, the National Day Endurance Championships began on Friday at Bahrain International Endurance Village in coincidence with the Kingdom’s celebrations to the National Day and HM the King’s accession to the throne.

HH Shaikh Nasser praised the wide participation in the local qualifiers which featured 161 jockeys from both genders who represent various stables, adding that the huge turnout is clear evidence of the development and growth of this sport.

HH Shaikh Nasser added that anybody who has been following the National Day Endurance Championship since its introduction understands the enormous interest of the stables and jockeys to feature in it and give their all by participating with the best horses and the strong preparations they undergo ahead of the contest.

HH Shaikh Nasser explained that the positive competition in the races will reflect on achieving good results in foreign outings. He indicated that the competition in the main events will be wide open among stables and jockeys.

It’s worth noting that the main events will take place on Saturday, covering two distances of 100km and 120km.  Participants will also compete for the Best Horse Condition Awards which will be patronised by HH Shaikha Noora bint Hamad Al Khalifa, Captain of Al Fursan Team. The Awards will include cash prizes and they are part of HH Shaikha Noora’s efforts to develop the endurance sport.

80km Race

It’s worth noting that jockey Yousif Mohammed of NS Stable led the 80km race which was held on Friday after clocking in 3 hours, 25 minutes, and 11 seconds. He was followed by Khalifa Yousif of Al Mughairat Stable and Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa of the Victorious team respectively.