Elite Falconry Races Conclude with Thrilling Finishes at Mohammed Bin Rashid Falconry Cup
Dubai, The Gulf Observer: The Mohammed Bin Rashid Falconry Cup concluded its Elite and Cup races today, delivering some of the most intense competitions of the tournament. Organised by the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center at its dedicated facility in Al Habbab, this year’s championship witnessed significant participation from across the UAE and the wider region, boasting an impressive prize pool of over AED 23 million.
Honouring the Champions
H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum crowned the winners of the six races featuring elite falconers, who competed with over 200 top-tier falcons, showcasing the rich traditions of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Falconry Cup.
The Cup races, among the most prestigious in falconry, featured prizes of AED 1 million per race, including the Sheikh’s Cup and the Open Cup for young falcons.
In the Sheikh’s Cup for Young Falcons, the Al Nif team emerged victorious:
- 1st Place: Helman – 18.409 seconds (AED 500,000)
- 2nd Place: S 359 (M7 Team) – 18.448 seconds (AED 300,000)
- 3rd Place: Al Mehlal (M7 Team) – 18.468 seconds (AED 200,000)
In the Open Cup for Young Falcons, the winners were:
- 1st Place: Limitid (Ghadir bin Ghadir Al Ketbi) – 18.153 seconds
- 2nd Place: 281 (Abdullah Khalfan Al Qubaisi) – 18.202 seconds
- 3rd Place: Hacker (Abdullah Khalfan Al Qubaisi) – 18.388 seconds
In the Owners’ Open Cup, the results were:
- 1st Place: Falcon 11 (Mubarak Matar Al Khaili) – 18.491 seconds
- 2nd Place: Al Muheet (Abdullah Abdul Aziz Al Kendi) – 18.529 seconds
- 3rd Place: Hab Reeh (Khalifa Sultan Al Haffari) – 18.650 seconds
Elite Races Deliver High-Speed Action
The Elite races, featuring prizes of AED 1.35 million, showcased the finest falconry talent.
In the Elite Sheikh’s Gyrfalcon Race, the M7 Team dominated:
- 1st Place: Ramah – 14.529 seconds
- 2nd Place: T 139 – 14.997 seconds
- 3rd Place: B 64 (F3S Team) – 15.024 seconds
The Elite Open Gyrfalcon Race saw the Dubai Team excel:
- 1st Place: Tajouri – 14.929 seconds
- 2nd Place: 18 (Abdullah Khalfan Al Qubaisi) – 15.186 seconds
- 3rd Place: Bayan (Hamid Mohammed Al Tayir) – 15.238 seconds
In the Elite Owners’ Gyrfalcon Race, the winners were:
- 1st Place: Nashmi (Rashid Suhail Al Marri) – 15.377 seconds
- 2nd Place: Iqab (Ghadir Mohammed Al Mansoori) – 15.446 seconds
- 3rd Place: T 4 (Jumaa Abdullah Al Falahi) – 15.618 seconds
Dignitaries Praise Falconry’s Continued Success
The event was attended by distinguished guests, including:
- Fares Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Adviser at the Presidential Court and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Falconers’ Club
- Matar Hamed Al Neyadi, UAE Ambassador to Kuwait
- Rashid Mubarak Al Murkhan Al Ketbi, Vice President of the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center and Secretary-General of the UAE Falconry Federation
- Rashid Harib Al Khousouni, Director of Fazza Championship Department at the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center
- Dhamithan bin Suwaidan, Head of the Organising Committee
Rashid Mubarak Al Murkhan Al Ketbi applauded the Mohammed Bin Rashid Falconry Cup for its continued success in preserving the heritage sport of falconry, inspiring competitors worldwide, and setting exceptional standards for the sport.
He expressed gratitude for the unwavering support of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, emphasizing that the leadership’s commitment has significantly enhanced falconry’s local and international prominence.
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Falconry Cup remains a symbol of excellence, preserving the UAE’s rich cultural heritage and strengthening its national identity through this historic sport.
