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2008 Dubai World Challenge
Images by Steph Teeter

photo: Dell Hama at Best Condition Juding photo: Salem receiving key to Nissan Patrol

Salem Rashed and Fakhar show fine form: Gulf News article Rashed Shines: Khaleej Times Online article Salem Rashed bin Ghadeyer rode Dell Hama to a spectacular 1st place finish at the 2008 Dubai World Challenge. The pair left the final vet gate well behind the leaders and overtook them in the home stretch for a winning time of 4:55:54. The Dubai World Challenge was held at the Dubai International Endurance City and organized by Dubai Equestrian Club. Sponsored by Dubai World, first prize was a Nissan Patrol car, and total prize money for the ride was AED550,000.

1. Salem Rashed bin Ghadayer - UAE - Dell Hama :             4:55:54
2. Abdullah Thani bin Huzain - UAE - Spendacrest Kamaflouge: 4:59:01
3. Mohd Hilal salim Obaid Al Balarti - UAE - Miro Stilz:     5:02:09
4. Dhahi Abdulah Khamis Al Dhahi - UAE - Dunwinger Maakhal:  5:04:47
5. Jaume Punti Dachs - ESP - Antares Sauveterre:             5:06:48
6. Harmke Margreta Westervelt - NED - Hastings:              5:14:07
7. HE Sh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum - UAE - Sahara:             5:15:42
8. Roshan Ali Shiraj Khan - IND - The Joker:                 5:17:15
9. Ali Mohd Al Muhair - UAE - Akasha Sansation:              5:17:28
10. Hamad Mohd Al Ahbadi - UAE - Midsummer Lad:              5:19:57

1. Sahara
2. Dell Hama
3. Midsummer Lad
4. Akasha Sansation

 

Best Of the Day	After the Finish
Last Loop	Mid Day
Early Riding	The Morning

Abu Dhabi: Salem Rashed Bin Ghadayer on Dell Hama came up with a stirring final loop to win the Dubai World Challenge 120-km endurance ride at the Dubai International Endurance City in Seih Assalam.

In another ride held at Boudtheib Endurance Village, Fakhar Ahmad on Altimo scored his and Al Asayel Stables' first ever win in a 120-km open ride while winning the Warsan Endurance Challenge.

However, it was Salem Rashed's performance in Dubai which caught the eye as the gutsy rider who suffers from partial blindness started in fifth place on the final loop of 12kms.

Hassan Bin Ali on Stoney Brook Scarab, who led from the second stage onwards, was first out on the final loop with Abdullah Thani Bin Huzaim, Jaume Punti Dachs and Yousuf Abdullah Hammadi ahead of Salem Rashed.

But Salem Rashed, over nine minutes off the leader, urged Dell Hama and the 12-year-old gelding obliged with a speed of 26.37km/h on the final 12-km loop to finish first.

Al Reef Stables Mohammad Jasem Rahimi finished second, but his horse Kentish PK Touchwood was found lame at the vet check leaving Abdullah Thani Bin Huzaim on Spendacrest Kamouflage to take the second spot.

Salem Rashed, who is one of the most popular riders in the UAE, said it was Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, who asked him to ride the winner while Shaikh Hamdan rode Matta Mia Larry which was retired after the third stage.

"This is Shaikh Hamdan's horse and he asked me to ride it," said Salem Rashid.

DUBAI - Salem Rashid bin Ghadayer stayed on course to claim the Dubai World Challenge FEI CEI 120km endurance race for Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum here at the Seih Assalam Endurance City yesterday.

Abdullah Thani bin Huzaim was five seconds behind in second place and Mohammed Hilal Salem in third as Dhahi Abdullah Khamis followed in fourth position. Ghadayer finished strongly after completing the first 30km loop in ninth. And dropped to 10th in the next 30 kilometres before he moved to finish eighth by the end of loop three, then fourth by the end of loop four and headed the field on the last 20km loop of the day.

"The field is closely grouped and looks like a wide open race at this stage. For me, it's a great achievement which I present to Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum," the winner said later.

In the meantime, 89 riders lined up for the prestigious trophy led by Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, astride his 11-year-old Arabian gelding. Abdullah Thani bin Huzaim led briefly in the early stages before Hassan bin Ali put himself into contention and advanced to lead by the end of the second loop. By the end of loop three, Yousif Abdullah Al Hamadi moved to second and put much pressure on the early leader. But, the experienced rider maintained his first position through loop four and looked like a winner with 17km to go. At that point, Huzaim gave his horse a reminder and settled on the heels of the leaders with only five seconds separating between the first and third. "I think my horse did good work and has been always trotting keenly thanks to the hard work by the trainer and connections," Huzaim added.