Prestigious 160km race brings AlFursan Endurance AlUla Presented by Defender to a thrilling close
Elite international field of 295 riders competed over two days at Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Equestrian Village – AlFursan
Successful event provides the perfect platform ahead of November’s FEI Endurance World Championship in AlUla
AlUla : AlFursan Endurance AlUla Presented by Defender came to a spectacular close on Sunday as Saif Ahmed Mohammed Ali Almazrouei of the UAE delivered a stunning performance to win the AlMutadil Cup on the final day of a successful competition that perfectly set the stage for November’s FEI Endurance World Championship.
Riding Bullio Quasillo, Almazrouei completed the demanding CEI3*-160km course on Day 2 in a classified time of 7:23:43, finishing just one second ahead of Bahrain’s Mohamed Abdulhameed Alhashemi in second place, with fellow UAE rider Hamad Obaid Rashed Al Kaabi securing third place to complete the podium.
The AlMutadil Cup saw 95 elite riders from around the world take on AlUla’s iconic and demanding terrain, marking the culmination of two days of world-class endurance racing.
Organised by the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) in partnership with the Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation (SAEF), and under the supervision of the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI), the final day further underlined AlUla’s status as a premier global destination for elite endurance sport.
Following Saturday’s historic CEI2*–120km race – which saw Saudi rider Muhannad Alsalmi successfully retain the title he won in 2025 – Sunday’s 160km event represented the pinnacle of the competition, requiring exceptional stamina, tactical precision, and a deep partnership between horse and rider.
The race unfolded across multiple loops, pushing athletes to the limit while showcasing AlUla’s remarkable landscape. Vet gates after each loop carefully examined the horses’ condition to determine their ability to continue.
At the culmination of an intense day of racing, the finale of the AlMuradil Cup unfolded much like the incredible race on Saturday, as the leading two riders battled it out down the final few hundred metres before Almazrouei edged clear to take the victory.
Almazrouei said: “This is an indescribable feeling, winning first place. It was a very difficult course, extremely challenging. But in the end, the real winner is the champion horse; I know my horse well. He’s won before, and I know my own level. About five kilometres from the finish, I knew the horse still had more to give.”
Spectators at Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Equestrian Village – AlFursan enjoyed a vibrant closing-day atmosphere, with cultural experiences, live entertainment, and spectacular views of the race and surrounding scenery complementing the elite sporting action.
The AlMutadil Cup provided a compelling final preview of the level of competition expected when the world’s best endurance riders return to AlUla for the FEI Endurance World Championship in November.
AlFursan Endurance AlUla is part of the AlUla Moments 2025/26 calendar, a year-round programme celebrating AlUla as a global destination for sport, culture, heritage, and immersive experiences.
