The 2026 Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Festival roared back into action at Dubai International Endurance City in Seeh Al Salam on Monday, delivering a thrilling three-way finish in the 120km Al Yamamah Cup for Mares, with M7 Endurance Stables rider Hamdan Ahmad Al Mansoori edging a narrow victory.
Al Mansoori delivered a perfectly judged ride aboard SW Jashfiya AA 50, producing a late surge to clinch one of the biggest wins of his career.
Held in honour of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, the festival continues to showcase elite endurance racing.
The winners celebrate on the podium. Photo Dubai Equestrian club
Al Mansoori and his 10-year-old mount completed the ride in 4 hours, 18 minutes and 18 seconds, while maintaining an average speed of 27.87 kph. Positioned in fifth place heading into the final 20km loop, their lowest position of the race, the pair executed a calculated push at exactly the right moment to overhaul the leaders and snatch victory by just three seconds.
F3 Stables’ Rashed Mohamed Al Mehair, riding Beduina Christiana, finished a close second in 4:18:21 secs, while another M7 Endurance Stables pairing, Fares Ahmad Al Mansoori and SW Jorka, completed the podium just one second further back in 4:18:22.
The race unfolded strategically across four loops. Al Mansoori began strongly, posting the second-fastest time over the opening 40km loop, just three seconds behind early leaders Hamad Mohammed Al Shamsi and Beduina Caroline of Alazem Stables.
While Al Shamsi maintained control through the second loop, Al Mansoori strategically eased his position, dropping back as part of a measured race plan. The third loop saw a change at the front, with Saif Juma Beljafla and Explosive De Venelles taking over the lead.
By then, Al Mansoori had slipped to fifth and faced a 40-second deficit entering the final loop. However, conserving energy proved decisive. When asked for the final effort, SW Jashfiya AA 50 responded powerfully, surging clear in the closing stages to secure a last-gasp win.
Al Mehairi’s runner-up finish was equally impressive as he climbed steadily from 12th at the start to second at the line. Third-placed Fares Ahmad Al Mansoori endured a fluctuating race before recovering strongly to claim a podium spot.
Ahmed Rashid Al Kaabi, General Manager of Dubai Equestrian Club, presented the winners with their trophies.
The Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Festival, which began on 23 March with the 120km Ladies Ride won by ABH Stables’ Sara Hasan Ahmed on Wayward, continues with the 120km Private Stables Ride on Tuesday ahead of the main event, the Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Cup on Wednesday, April 1.
Results – Al Yamamah Cup for Mares (120km):
Hamdan Ahmad Al Mansoori – SW Jashfiya AA 50 (M7 Endurance Stables) – 4:18:18
Rashed Mohamed Al Mehairi – Beduina Christiana (F3 Stables) – 4:18:21
Fares Ahmad Al Mansoori – SW Jorka (M7 Endurance Stables) – 4:18:22
Source: Khaleej Times