Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Festival Begins 18 February

Photo: Dubai Government Media Office

The 18th edition of the His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Festival is set to start on Tuesday, 18th February, at Dubai International Endurance City in Seih Al Salam. This prestigious event will feature some of the best endurance riders in the UAE, along with top riders from around the world who are based in the country. The festival is one of the most important endurance events globally and is held in honor of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, as well as the Ruler of Dubai. Sheikh Mohammed is a former World Endurance Champion and is a huge supporter of equestrian sports.

Stay informed with the latest news. Follow DXB News Network on WhatsApp Channel  

The five-day festival consists of four major rides. It will begin with the 101 km HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Ride for Ladies, sponsored by Azizi Developments, on Tuesday, 18th February. After the Ladies Ride, the festival will continue with the 101 km Private Stables competition on Wednesday, 19th February. The third event is the Gamilati Endurance Cup for Mares, a 120 km ride sponsored by Al Tayer Motors, which will take place on Thursday, 20th February.

The festival will conclude on Saturday, 22nd February, with the highlight of the event, the HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup, sponsored by Emirates Airline. This 160 km ride is designed to challenge both the horses and the riders, and it is expected to be a fierce competition, attracting the best of the best in the endurance racing world.

Rashed bin Dalmook, Chairman of the Dubai Equestrian Club (DEC), praised the event, saying, “The race attracts the best horses and riders, making it a world-class competition.” He also noted that the festival has become more successful every year, thanks to Sheikh Mohammed’s vision and the hard work of those who organize the event.

The festival has gained a reputation for being one of the top competitions in endurance riding. The Dubai Equestrian Club’s careful planning and attention to detail over the years have played a big role in its success. Ahmed Rashed Al Kaabi, the Deputy General Manager of DEC, is looking forward to another exciting event this year. "The 18th edition promises to be one of the most thrilling yet, and we are proud to host this remarkable festival," he said.

Nabil Sultan, Executive Vice President of Emirates, which sponsors the feature event, expressed the airline's pride in supporting the festival. He said, “Emirates is honored to continue its support, as this event showcases the incredible partnership between horse and rider, demonstrating endurance and precision.”

Last year’s winners include F3 Stables, who took home the HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup with Majid Jamal Almheiri and his horse Guezla. In the Ladies Ride, Martina Spelanzon from Argentina won for M7 Endurance Stables, riding Romero. SS Stables are the defending champions of the Private Stables competition, with Saeed Mohammed Al Mehairi riding Cherifa De Flauzins to victory. In the Gamilati Endurance Ride for Mares, F3 Stables again triumphed, with Abdulla Al Amri riding El Nize Chanika.

The Ladies Ride is sponsored by Azizi Group, with CEO Farhad Azizi expressing his pleasure at supporting the event for the eighth consecutive year. He highlighted the high level of talent and the global significance of the competition, especially for the women participating in the 101 km race.

The Dubai Equestrian Club, which was established in 2002 by Sheikh Mohammed, is a leader in the sport of endurance riding. It is famous for organizing world-class endurance competitions, and its venue, the Dubai International Endurance City, is a state-of-the-art facility. The club’s annual calendar includes two major events: the HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Festival and the Crown Prince of Dubai Endurance Festival.

This year’s edition promises to be an exciting and memorable event, with riders from around the world coming together to compete in one of the most challenging endurance rides in the world.