Saeed Abdullah Al Ketbi, a former UAE international rider, finally broke the jinx for trainer Ismaeel Mohammed by riding Moonlite Flash to a superb win in the Sheikh Saeed bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Challenge endurance ride here yesterday. Winless after seven rides in the UAE domestic season since November 2003, Ismaeel Mohammed, who trains endurance horses for General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Minister of Defence, spent some agonising moments before the drought came to an end.

Saeed, who represented the UAE in the World Championship and the winner of a bodyweight ride here, completed the 120-km distance in a timing of 5 hours 49 minutes and 11 seconds, with the consistent Ali Mohammed Al Muhairi, on Myrimbah Dashell, in second place and Mohammed Ibrahim Al Khaleel, on Cheval de Rouge, in third. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance and Industry, General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Minister of Defence, and Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa of Bahrain attended yesterday's ride which attracted a total of 98 starters.

A total of 17 riders completed the FEI Two star event, which was run in five stages of 32kms, 29kms, 26kms, 19kms and 14kms. Saeed was in the 27th place at the end of the first 32kms stage, with Spain's Jesus Manuel Berna and Sultan bin Sulayem, Mubarak Khalifa bin Shafya and Ali Al Muhairi looking good in the early part of the ride. Al Muhairi finished on top in the second stage and was also ahead at the end of the third stage when Bin Sulayem's horse Winwood Masama was eliminated despite reaching home first.

Saeed was in 8th place at this stage, but the experienced campaigner slowly made his move and completed the penultimate stage of 19 kms as the leader. Enjoying over a minute's advantage going into the final 14 kms, Saeed and his 10-year-old chestnut gelding were consistent to finish nearly seven minutes ahead of Ali Al Muhairi in second place. Mohammed Ibrahim Khalil Al Hammadi of Al Reef Stables rode a similar ride as that of the winner and from his 35th place in the first stage he moved up into the top ten in the third loop to finally finish a memorable third.

A relieved Ismail Mohammed told Gulf News he was happy that the jinx was broken.

"Believe me it was a bit baffling for we had done all the right things. The horses had settled in well after their campaign in Europe and everyone at the stables had worked hard. "But a win was eluding us. I hope from now on it will be different," said Ismaeel, who has been saddling the most winners every season since 1992. Sheikh Saeed bin Hamdan Al Maktoum, Emirates International Endurance Racing (EIER) President Mohammed Rashid bin Ghadayer and EIER Committee Member Saeed Al Tayer distributed the prizes to the winners.

Results

120-km Sheikh saeed bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Challenge:
1. Saeed Abdullah Al Ketbi (Moonlite Flash) 5hrs 49mins 11 secs;
2. Ali Mohammed Al Muhairi (Myrimbah Dashell) 5:56:32;
3. Mohd. Ibrahim Khalil Al Hammadi (Cheval de Rouge) 5:58.49;
4. Jesus Manuel Berna –Spain- (Jamile) 6:00.28;
5. Ghulam Nader Mohammed (Fabella Du Mas) 6:46:25;
6. Glen Vigoroux – France- (Diana de Veynes) 6:47:35;
7. Abdulla Al Bashi (Kiamo Kaboo) 6:47:56;
8. Theunis Botha –South Africa – (Reym Khamgue) 6:47:59;
9. Ahmed Al Kamda (Kanelah Shiraz) 7:00:25;
10. Nicholas Jacobus-South Africa - (Nasshogi) 7:01:08.