MRM Stables claimed victory at the Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Cup held at Dubai International Endurance City in Seeh Al Salam on Wednesday. Abdulla Abdulrahman Al Bastaki played a crucial role in securing the win during the prominent event of the Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Festival, making his move just past the halfway point of the competition.

Riding Bullio Charles, Al Bastaki intensified the competition during the third and penultimate phase of the 120 km ride, taking the lead and ultimately achieving a commanding 29-second victory.

The Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Cup marked the conclusion of the annual Festival of endurance riding.

Starting the day in 23rd position, Al Bastaki remained confident despite Fatma Jassem Al Marri, the winner of the Private Stables Competition the previous day, taking the lead at the end of the first 40 km phase aboard Dja De Beders from Al Bawadi Stables.

However, Al Marri lost her lead during the second loop over 35 km, allowing Mohammed Rashed Mugheer on M7 Endurance Stables’ Zeus FF to take command.

Al Bastaki advanced to 15th place during the second loop and decided to push hard in the third phase, which was 25 km long. His efforts paid off as he quickly moved into the lead.

Maintaining that lead proved challenging, but Al Bastaki and Bullio Charles managed to secure their position, finishing with a time of 4 hours, 23 minutes, and 28 seconds (4:23:28), ensuring a well-deserved victory with a margin of 29 seconds.

In second place, F3 Stables’ French rider Lea Vandekerckhove finished with a time of 4:23:57 riding A’Bandom’s Moonshadow, while the UAE’s Mohamed Adel Al Hosani took third for Al Reef Ajban II Stables aboard SC Bonito, clocking in at 4:24:16.

Notable attendees at the trophy presentation ceremony included Sheikh Rashed bin Dalmook Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Equestrian Club, Ahmed Rashid Al Kaabi, General Manager of Dubai Equestrian Club, and Ahmad Saeed Al Falasi, Director of Joint Ventures and Strategic Relations.

The Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Festival featured four rides, starting on March 23 with the 120 km Ladies Ride, won by ABH Stables’ Sara Hasan Ahmed riding Wayward.

Following a spell of bad weather, the festival continued with the Al Yamamah Cup for Mares on March 30, which was narrowly won by M7 Endurance Stables, thanks to Hamdan Ahmad Al Mansoori aboard SW Jashfiya AA 50.

The third event in the Festival was the Private Stables Ride on March 31, where Fatma Jassem Al Marri delivered a consistent performance to secure an easy victory for SM Private Stables riding Celebryta.