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Al Kitbi strikes for M7 Stables

The newly-formed M7 Endurance Stables based in Dubai got off to a winning start when Salem Hamad Saeed Malhoof Al Kitbi, riding Burkaan, edged out Mansour Saeed Mohammed Al Faresi on Tiswan Fageole to win the 120-km Al Wathba Challenge Endurance ride at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi.
 Earlier, 140 riders representing the UAE and 15 other countries got off to a mass start in the ride which was attended His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai; Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, and many VIPs and guests of the Shaikh Mansour Festival.
 Speaking to the media, Shaikh Mohammed said, "Today's race was fast, and we did not know the extent of the readiness of horses trained by the various stables and also about their fitness levels. It is our duty to welcome all new stables and to support their riders and trainers." Commenting on the success of the new endurance stables, Shaikh Mohammed said, "It is too early to judge the stables after just one race." We need to see how they perform over three to four races. We are still experimenting and we are comfortable with the exercise."
 Though we have the experience we are always looking to better the techniques of training and preparing a horse for competition. Training always provides good results be it in any field."
 Regarding the big races of the season like the National Day Cup, he said the horses were ready and he wished all trainers and riders the best for the season ahead.