Mohammed attends endurance race

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Friday attended the 120-km Endurance horse race at Seeh Al Salam race course.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, also watched the race, which was won by Abdullah Ghanim Al Merri.

“Al Merri won the race because he carried out the plan successfully. He has great experience in endurance races and he gave a good performance during the four stages of the race,” said Sheikh Hamdan, himself one of the best horse men.

He said Al Merri’s horse, the Princess, was in a great shape during the race and gave a “brilliant performance.”

Asked why he predicted Al Merri’s winning, he said: “I saw many participants making mistakes in the first stage of the race while Al Merri successfully carried out his plan.”

“Mistakes could be made by the horse men or the trainers. They should not be shouldered by one person. That is the case when a racer wins. His victory is credited to himself and others not only the winner.”

Sheikh Hamdan said he admired the performance of the 'Princess' during the race, adding that a “great future awaits her and she would be prepared for a 160-km race.”