Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Some of the world’s best endurance riders will go head-to-head when the 16th edition of the Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Festival gets underway at Dubai International Endurance City (DIEC) in Seih Al Salaam on January 2, 2024.
Organised by the Dubai Equestrian Club in association with the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation, the Festival concludes with the showpiece Crown Prince Endurance Cup sponsored by Emaar, the UAE’s leading real estate developer.
One of the most sought-after endurance meetings not only on the annual calendar of the UAE, but on the international circuit as well, the Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Festival has yet again attracted a starry international cast who will compete against the very best from the UAE.
The Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Festival carries a total prize purse of AED5.3 million and comprises four rides starting with the 101km Ladies Ride on January 2. The Festival has witnessed intense competition in all of the four races that make up the programme, and the excitement is expected to reach a crescendo yet again this year when the showpiece Crown Prince Endurance Cup sponsored by Emaar over 119km is contested as the concluding event on January 6. The two other events in between are the 101km Private Stables Ride on January 3 and the Yamamah Endurance Cup for Mares on January 4, which runs over 119 kilometres. All events have been broken down into four phases.
The Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Festival is held in honour of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, who was one of the most prominent endurance riders of his time and won the 2014 World Championship in Normandy, France, among many other international titles.
Sheikh Hamdan’s achievements in horse racing and endurance have inspired and attracted young Emiratis to participate in sport and the Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Festival in particular creates several opportunities for local and international athletes to test their skill and ability against others in a competitive world-class environment.
Mr. Ahmed Almatrooshi, Emaar Properties Executive Board Member and General Director of Emaar Foundation, said: "As Emaar embraces this partnership with the Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Cup, we are thrilled to be a part of an event that brilliantly showcases the UAE's equestrian prowess and rich cultural heritage." This prestigious event is not only a celebration of endurance riding, but it also reflects the values of perseverance and excellence that we at Emaar hold dear. Our participation in this iconic Cup reaffirms our commitment to supporting and elevating Dubai's status as a hub for world-class sporting and cultural events. We are looking forward to witnessing the thrilling competitions and celebrating the spirit of sportsmanship and tradition that this event so magnificently represents."
Major General Dr. Mohammed Essa Al Adhab, Member of the Board of Directors and Director General of Dubai Equestrian Club, offered his sincere thanks to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Hamdan, for their immense contribution and unwavering support for equestrianism, particularly, the sport of endurance, whose roots run deep in UAE culture.
“The Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Cup is an important event that occupies a lofty position in the equestrian and endurance community globally because of its association with the name of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and is held in celebration of his tremendous achievements in the world of endurance riding and the incredible support he has showed towards equestrian sport in general globally,” said Al Adhab. He concluded by thanking Emaar for their continued support of horseracing events, especially this featured event which is set to attract the best runners and riders.
“We are looking forward to hosting a brilliant 16th edition of the Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Festival and all our teams are working tirelessly on putting together an event that is totally befitting of the magnitude of an event as enormous and prestigious as the Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Festival. We look forward to welcoming the world to Dubai International Endurance City in Al Qudra.”
The influential F3 Stables won three of the four events at the last edition, including the showpiece Crown Prince Endurance Cup, which saw Mansoor Khamis Mohammad Al Shedi claim a famous victory aboard Sheila. Syrian rider Masa Adnan Tonbakji claimed a brace for F3, winning the Ladies Ride and the Yamamah Endurance Cup for Mares with El Nize Gamilah and RO Fantastica, respectively. Meanwhile, SS Private Stables will look to defend their position as Private Stables champions after Saeed Ahmad Rashed Al Shamsi’s success last year aboard Poli.
