Jockeys participating in the Pink Caravan Ride experienced the royal touch as they rode through Dubai on Monday.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, joined the riders on the eighth day of their nationwide tour to raise awareness of breast cancer.
Sheikh Mohammed walked at the start of the procession alongside his daughters, Sheikha Salama and Sheikha Shamma, both of whom were on horseback.
The 150 riders travelled along Crescent Road in Palm Jumeirah, stopping at attractions on the way in support of the initiative by the Friends of Cancer Patients, which aims to highlight the importance of early detection and help to dispel misconceptions about the disease.
The caravan covered 18 kilometres on Monday, starting from the Burj Khalifa and ending at the Burj Al Arab.
“We are grateful for the support of these jockeys and thank them for dedicating a portion of their time to our initiative,” said Ameera Binkaram, founding member of the charity and chair of the Pink Caravan organising committee.
“This demonstrates their keen desire to use their high profile for a good cause in helping to save lives and enhancing healthy life in the community. I thank them for their efforts.”
Mobile clinics set up along the Pink Caravan’s route enjoyed a sizeable turnout. Before arriving in Dubai, a clinic in Umm Al Quwain examined 321 women and 149 men. Up to 3,492 people have been screened so far, of which 917 were men.
Among the international jockeys participating were Tadhg O’Shea, Richard Mullen, Pat Dobbs, Royston Ffrench, Sam Hitchcott, Adri de Vries, Paul Hanagan, Dane O’Neill, Harry Bentley and Oisin Murphy.
newsdesk@thenational.ae
