Kiwi horse wins big Dubai endurance ride

February 15, 2008

A New Zealand bred horse has won a prestigious endurance ride in Dubai.

Dell Hama, with rider Salem Rashed bin Ghadeyer, won the 2008 Dubai World Challenge in a time of 4:55:54. The combination made a remarkable recovery after leaving the last vet gate well behind the leaders, to overtake them in the final home stretch. Dell Hama was also second in the Best Conditioned award.

First prize in the World Challenge was a Nissan Patrol car, and AED550,000 ($US150,000, $NZ190,000).

Dell Hama is a grey gelding bred by the late Brian Ross, a long-time South Island arabian breeder. His breed - with the Dellmount or Dell prefix - have excelled in many disciplines, notably in the sport of endurance.

Before he was gelded Dell Hama left only two live progeny in New Zealand, a mare, Dell Lamees, who is breeding arabian warmblood foals, and a gelding, Dell Zar, owned by Aurora Stud in Southland.

Hama is by the Simeon Sa'ar son Eastwinds Axiom (dec), and out of the Ralvon Pilgrim granddaughter Willowvale Jaliya (Ralvon Courage x Dellmount Leala [Illiad]).

Top 5 Finishers:
1. Salem Rashed bin Ghadayer - UAE - Dell Hama : 4:55:54
2. Abdullah Thani bin Huzain - UAE - Spendacrest Kamaflouge: 4:59:01
3. Mohd Hilal salim Obaid Al Balarti - UAE - Miro Stilz: 5:02:09
4. Dhahi Abdulah Khamis Al Dhahi - UAE - Dunwinger Maakhal: 5:04:47
5. Jaume Punti Dachs - ESP - Antares Sauveterre: 5:06:48
6. Harmke Margreta Westervelt - NED - Hastings: 5:14:07
7. HE Sh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum - UAE - Sahara: 5:15:42
8. Roshan Ali Shiraj Khan - IND - The Joker: 5:17:15
9. Ali Mohd Al Muhair - UAE - Akasha Sansation: 5:17:28
10. Hamad Mohd Al Ahbadi - UAE - Midsummer Lad: 5:19:57

Best Condition Award
1. Sahara
2. Dell Hama
3. Midsummer Lad
4. Akasha Sansation