Inés Joly for the Win in Excessive-Stakes Hickstead Velocity Derby

The penultimate day of the Al Shira’aa Worldwide Horse Present concluded in spectacular trend, because the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Velocity Derby delivered an exhilarating, crowd-pleasing near Saturday’s competitors, bringing high-speed drama beneath the spotlights.

Impressed by the enduring Derby format synonymous with Hickstead and Hamburg, Al Shira’aa has reintroduced the category to the UAE calendar following its long-term sponsorship of the heritage class at Hickstead, UK. The category challenged riders with a fast-paced rustic course that rewarded precision, bravery and bold-decision making.

Sophie Hinners of Germany was among the many first to tackle the problem and instantly laid down a powerful marker, guiding Come Away Flamingo Z into the lead with a daring and flowing spherical that set the early tempo and would finally safe second place. Nevertheless, it was French rider, Inès Joly, who went full throttle to steal the highlight, producing a fearless efficiency aboard Faylinn de Fondcombe to cease the clock in 108.65 seconds, taking the win. Syria’s Shady Ghrayeb accomplished the rostrum in third place driving Cabernet de Mars, including 4 penalties however nonetheless delivering one of many quickest rounds of the category in an exhilarating conclusion to the Velocity Derby.

Earlier within the day, competitors started in Enviornment Two with the CSI Juniors class, offered by Status, the place younger riders as soon as once more demonstrated maturity past their years within the 1.30m one-round-against-the-clock format. Eighteen-year-old Ali Shehab Alrahman took prime honours aboard Let It Be Once more, with a quick clear in 54.76 seconds. Saud Mohamed Almaeeni adopted in second place driving Kartouche MZ, with Saleh Muffrej Ali Mohamed Alkari rounding out the all-Emirati podium aboard Dion Z.

Consideration then turned to the CSIYH 6-12 months-Outdated Basic Remaining, offered by Okay.AR Sport Horses, the place the standard of younger horses on show underlined the occasion’s dedication to long-term sport growth. Eight of the twelve finalists progressed to the jump-off, but it surely was Saif Owaida Mohammed Alkirbi and Pink Floyd V&V who delivered the quickest clear, stopping the clock in 39.19 seconds to higher his efficiency from Day One and take the win. Al Shira’aa’s Spanish rider, Agusti Sastre Caballero sped into second place aboard Pablo Escobar KJV, whereas Salim Khamis Al Suwaidi took third on Doubel Ble.

Diego López, operations supervisor of Okay.AR Sport Horses, mentioned “we now have been extraordinarily impressed by the standard of younger horses competing all through the finals, notably the rideability, scope and consistency on show. Supporting these lessons aligns carefully with the shared imaginative and prescient between Okay.AR Sport Horses and Al Shira’aa to put money into the way forward for the game, and we’re proud to proceed our sponsorship for a second 12 months as a part of a long-term dedication to creating younger horses on a global stage.”

The programme continued with the CSI Kids’s Class, supported by Al Forsan Worldwide Sports activities Resort, the place younger mixtures contested the 1.15m Two-Part Particular. 4 riders delivered faultless clears, but it surely was Hasan Majed Sultan Al Awani Alnuaimi of the UAE and Charly Braun who jumped to victory in a time of 26.05 seconds. Jordanian rider Zaid Khalaf adopted in second place aboard Chico, with Emirati Ayesha Saeed Al Ghurair and Haia ending third.

Over in Enviornment One, the highlight shifted to the CSI2* Grand Prix, offered by Schelstraete Equine Legislation, which noticed 35 certified mixtures tackle course designer Elio Travagliati’s technical 1.45m monitor that includes 15 leaping efforts. Seven riders superior to the jump-off and, for a second, it regarded as if Saudi Arabia’s returning star Ramzy Al Duhami would clinch the win. Nevertheless, Nice Britain’s Katie Speller pipped him to the put up aboard Z7 Pink Panther, owned by Workforce Z7, producing a double clear in a quick 37.84 seconds. The mix claimed victory on the CSI2* in Butheeb final December and has since secured a number of top-ten finishes this season. Egypt’s Mohamed Ashraf Abdallah completed in third place driving Nik Nak DB, simply fractions behind Al Duhaimi and Kanshebber S.

“We’re very blissful to be right here in Abu Dhabi as first-time sponsors of the CSI2* Grand Prix at such a well-organised present,” mentioned Luc Schelstraete, Managing Accomplice of Schelstraete Equine Legislation. “The calibre of riders has been exceptionally excessive and the course offered a really technical problem. The ambiance all through the venue has been incredible and we will definitely be encouraging European riders to return and compete right here subsequent 12 months.”

Newbie riders had one other alternative to shine in Enviornment Two, with the CSI-AM 1.10m, offered by Al Shira’aa. Rawad Saad of Lebanon as soon as once more proved unstoppable, guiding Sydney van het Oosthof to a second victory in as many days. Emirati rider Khalifa Hamdan Abdulla Al Jahouri rode Hermes de Mariposa into second place, whereas Egyptian rider Omar Ahmed Taha secured one other third-place spot aboard Pleasure WV.

CSI Below 25 motion fashioned a part of the afternoon programme, as rising expertise battled for the ultimate victory following two days of qualifiers. Riders confronted a really difficult course, with the long term to the Al Shira’aa mixture proving notably problematic, and it initially appeared unlikely that any mixture would leap clear.

Momentum then shifted as 4 Emirati riders, joined by on-form Alexander McLean, superior to the jump-off. Omar Abdul Aziz Al Marzooqi was the primary to provide a double clear, setting an early benchmark time of 32.12 seconds aboard Chacco Bay, which might finally see him end second. Nevertheless, Abdalla Hamad Ali Al Kirbi entered the sector with a time to beat and delivered a lightning-quick spherical on Georgina Z, shaving greater than half a second off the main time to take the win. Mohammed Saeed Al Ghurair accomplished the all-Emirati podium in third place aboard Ikaros, driving the quickest four-fault spherical of the jump-off.

The CSI2 Silver Tour Remaining, offered by Bolesworth, delivered an thrilling conclusion to the collection with a fast-paced accumulator class that includes a joker fence, the place accuracy and tactical decision-making proved decisive. From a powerful subject of 52 starters, 15 mixtures efficiently collected the utmost rating of 65 factors, leaving the ultimate placings to be selected time. Victory went to Spain’s Hugo Alvarez Amaro, who guided Ibiza d’Anchat KAR to the highest of the leaderboard in 48.83 seconds. Syrian rider Osama Al Zabibi adopted carefully in second place aboard Bec Hugo, stopping the clock in 49.43 seconds, whereas UAE rider Mohamed Hamad Ali Al Kirbi accomplished the rostrum with Macho BH, ending simply fractions behind in 49.84 seconds.

The 2026 version of the Al Shira’aa Present wraps up on Sunday with a last day of sporting motion, culminating with the Al Shira’aa Longines CSI4*-W Diamond Tour FEI World Cup Grand Prix, providing a staggering €320,000 prize fund.