Dubai: Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council, has reiterated his commitment to promoting the time-honoured Arab sport of camel racing through the annual Al Marmoum Heritage Festival.
“This festival means a lot to me, not in a winning level, but most important to me, is to revive together this heritage and traditional sport of our fathers and grandfathers,” Shaikh Hamdan said in an official statement during the 36th edition of the festival, currently being held at the Dubai Camel and Racing Club at Al Marmoum.
“This fantastic family gathering and attendance by our brothers from all the GCC countries speaks volumes. It is my great pleasure to welcome you all to your second home in Dubai. The Pearl of the Globe to participate and celebrate with us this unique histrocial festival. I wish you incredible happiness and one hundred per cent unforgettable moments full of enjoyment and winning,” said Shaikh Hamdan, who is the patron of the Al Marmoun Heritage Festival.
He added that the brilliant camel, Khoud, owned by Ashehaniya, had a great opportunity to seize and add to her record the Emirates Golden Sword 2017, besides the Golden Sword of Ashehaniya final 2017 and the Emirates Golden Sword 2016.
Meanwhile, racing camels representing the mighty Al Asifa Stable, the Presidential Stables and Ashehaniya Stables, dominated the races featuring the late Shaikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Trophy for Laqaya category dedicated to camels owned by Shaikhs where prize money of Dh1.8 million and prestigious trophies were on offer.
The highlight of the morning session was a super hat-trick by the Al Asifa Stables, under the supervision of the leading trainer Giath Al Hillali.
Ameera (which means Princess) stormed the track by winning the first race allocated to open Laqaya Abkar for female camels. She completed the 5km course in a time of 07:09:70 minutes, to snatching the trophy and Dh500,000 in cash.
The second victory was registered by Meeza (Feature) in the Purebred Laqaya Abkar race where she recorded a winning time of 07:15:03 minutes to win a trophy and Dh500,000.
The third for Al Asifa Stable was delivered by one of their strongest competitors, Bahhar (Sailor) who recorded a time of 07:23:40 minutes to snatch the Dh40,000 prize and a Rifle, The third richest race of the session went to the Presidential Stables trained Ashghar (The Blond Hair) in the open Laqaya Jeadan race. The winner was trained by Ali Jameel Al Wehaibi.
Hamlool IMirage) claimed another victory for the magnificent Presidential Stables, registered the best timing of the morning, of 07:09:04 minutes.
Shaikh Hamdan, in presence of Ali Saeed Bin Saroud, the CEO of DCRC, presented the trophies to the winners.
The Shaikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum races featuring 16 races were allocated for camels owned by their Shaikhs in Laqaya Category.
The first feature first race for the Purebred Laqaya Abkar category was won by Taaleel, representing Qatar’s Ashehaniya Stables Leading Qatari trainer Salim Bin Faran Al Marie, received a luxury Toyota Station V6 for the victory.
The Presidential Stables equalled Al Asifa’s hat-trick, when they added the second and third races for Hybred Laqaya Abkar and Purebred Laqaya Jeadan to their record. Both prizes included a luxury Toyota Station V6 for each winner, the female camel Al Hathira (The Cautious) and Al Shamikha (Proud). Both winners were trained by Rashid Mohammed Bin Maroushid and owned by Zabeel Stables.
