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.
