Mohammad honours Masar Class of 2018 graduates
PROGRAMME ALLOWED TRAINEES TO SPEND TIME IN GODOLPHIN’S UK STABLES
Aselect group of Emiratis were lauded as young women and men making a difference after successfully graduating from a programme created by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, VicePresident and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
Shaikh Mohammad created Masar Godolphin, Masar meaning ‘path’ in English, as an academic and experimental programme that provides opportunities to young equine enthusiasts, in the world of thoroughbred racing.
The five women and four men, who received their certificates from Shaikh Mohammad and Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, at the Madinat Jumeirah yesterday, said that they are united in their mission to inspire others through their outstanding achievements as Masar ambassadors.
The Masar programme, which ran from January this year through to October, allowed the trainees to spend invaluable time entrenched in Godolphin’s fast-paced UK operation.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Godolphin CEO Hugh Anderson said: “Masar was created to create leaders and to introduce talented young Emiratis to an industry that we are passionate about, like His Highness Shaikh Mohammad.
“Great leaders are not just born, they need to learn from experience. These young students have gained in a large way. At the British Racing School, where they learned about horsemanship, at the British Army at Sandhurst, where they learnt about military leadership, and at the London West End, where they learned about presentation skills.
“But mostly they learned from our trainers and people at Godolphin and everyone at Godolphin has learnt something from having these intelligent people spend time with them,” he added.
“I thank His Highness Shaikh Mohammad for his vision in creating this programme and everyone at Godolphin, who has worked hard to ensure it is a success.”
Simply amazing
Noor Al Falasi, who holds a Master’s degree in Science and is the first Arab woman to set foot in the Antarctic, described the Masar programme as a lifechanging experience.
“It not only teaches you about the thoroughbred industry but also about personal development and leadership,” she said. “It is simply amazing to combine all three. I am eager to continue within the thoroughbred industry because it has captured my heart to be honest. The industry is big and it caters to everyone’s speciality and needs.”
Mohammad Mardood, also concurred with Al Falasi that the last 10 months with Masar have changed his life forever.
“I consider myself so lucky to have accepted into the programme, these are stories that I am going to tell my children someday,” he said. “I would love to become a jockey and then perhaps a trainer. I believe that in life everything comes with passion and hard work, and I think I have both in plenty.”
Ali Al Ali, Head of Masar Godolphin, said that he is very proud of the Class of 2018, who he said worked hard to accomplish the vision of Shaikh Mohammad.
“This batch of Emiratis exhibited extraordinary commitment,” he said, “It was a pleasure to work with people who show the utmost passion towards horses and I believe that the future holds a lot for all of them. I wish them the best of luck.”