Mohammed Ali Al Shafar timed his run to perfection as he came from fourth place in the final loop to win the prestigious HH The President’s Cup 160-km endurance ride on Orman De Cardonne at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

Al Shafar, who is also the trainer of endurance horses at Al Reeh Endurance Stables, rode the 11-year-old gelding to finish ahead of Khalifa Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri on Farak and Saeed Saqer Mohammed Al Ameri on Eclipse.

The three top riders won a car each for their effort while they along with all those who finished the 160-km ride got a share of the total prize money of DH 1,500,000, one of the richest purse ever for an endurance ride.

Mohammad Ali Al Shafar and Orman De Cardonne completed the 160-km ride in six hours 6 minutes and 24 seconds.

“I have won many rides in the UAE but my best performance in the President’s Cup was a fourth-place finish. Now I am very satisfied with this win and it is very close to my heart as it represents HH the President’s name,” said Al Shaffar.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Deputy Ruler and Minister of Finan ce and Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs attended the ride.

Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince also took part in the ride.

Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi, Secretary General of Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Ms. Lara Sawaya, Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival and Head of Ladies racing in IFAHR and Ian Williams of the FEI along with other representatives from sponsors gave away the trophies to the winners.

The HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival, main sponsors of the ride, is o rganized by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and co-ordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council in association with Emirates Racing Authority, IFAHR and Emirates Arabian Horse Society, supported by General Authority for Youth and Sports Welfare and Fegentri with Emirates airlines as the official carrier and sponsored by Invest AD, Al Rashid Investment, Areej Al Ameerat, Mauzan, Al Awani General Enterprises, Kabale, the UAE’s General Women’s Union, the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2013, Dr. Nader Saab Switzerland, Wathba Stud Farm and Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.

3. Saeed Saqer Mohammed Al Ameri (Eclipse) 6:08.40.