Al Enezi wins HH Shaikh Khalid endurance ride

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Victorious Team rider Isa Al Enezi clinched first place in the general classification while Al Asayel Stable jockey Khalifa Darwish won the private stables category in the 120-kilometre race yesterday, which was the main event of the HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa Endurance Festival at Bahrain International Endurance Village in Zallaq.

The ride was attended by His Majesty the King’s humanitarian works and youth affairs representative and Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (BREEF) honorary president His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Supreme Council for Youth and Sports first deputy chairman, General Sports Authority chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee president His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa delegated BREEF president His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Abdulla Al Khalifa to crown the race winners.

Al Enezi won first place overall after completing the challenging race distance in a total time of four hours 20 minutes and 15 seconds.

The ride was divided into four stages, first a 40km leg, followed by a pair of 30km stages, and ending with a 20km phase.

Finishing as the runner-up in the general classification was Salem Yousef of Al Fursan Team in 4:26:35, while Assem Janahi from Al Zaeem Team came third in 4:32:05.

Meanwhile, in the private stables category, Darwish won in a time of 5:01:32. Shaikh Saqer bin Khalid Al Khalifa of Ahmed Al Fateh Stable came second in 5:03:28, and Ahmed Saleh Al Nuaimi from Al Asayel Stable was third in 5:04:54.

Marking the occasion, HH Shaikh Nasser stressed that the exciting competition confirms the advanced march of endurance horseracing in Bahrain, thanks to the interest and support of His Majesty the King.

HH Shaikh Nasser indicated that the championship achieved its goals in continuing the growth and prosperity of Bahraini endurance sports.

HH Shaikh Nasser added that the ride witnessed great success thanks to the strong participation of riders from local stables who were keen to compete in such a prestigious and highly competitive event.

HH Shaikh Nasser expressed his thanks and appreciation to HH Shaikh Khalid for his support and sponsorship of this championship and other endurance races, which confirms his keenness to contribute to the development of equestrian sports.