JACK AU XOIS excels in French Endurance race

The horse ‘Jack Au Xois’ continued his outstanding performances in endurance racing after securing first place in the 103 km Vizac Endurance Ride held recently in France, adding another achievement to the growing list of notable Arab successes on the European stage.

The victory was achieved under the guidance of rider Theo Jonas. The horse is owned by Mohammed bin Rashid al Saadi and was originally developed and conditioned in Oman under the supervision of trainer Mohammed bin Hamood al Balushi. In the lead-up to the race, the horse was sent to France, where it underwent pre-race preparation under the guidance of trainer Elisabeth Hardy.

This achievement builds on Jack Au Xois’ consistent record, having previously secured third place in the His Majesty the King's Endurance Cup in the Kingdom of Bahrain, reflecting the horse’s steady progress and ability to compete at a high international level.

France is widely regarded as a major destination for international endurance competitions, particularly over distances ranging from 100 to 160 km, attracting elite global teams and prominent Arab stables aiming for top finishes.

Trying to spray the horse Jack with water to make him tired and alleviate fatigue during the race.

Owner Mohammed al Saadi expressed his pride in the achievement, stating: “All of our horses prepared for international competitions are initially developed in Oman under the supervision of trainer Mohammed al Balushi. He identified Jack Au Xois as a suitable horse for international endurance racing.”

He added: “When we purchased this horse from France, it was not a racehorse and had no prior experience in endurance competitions. We brought him to our stable in Oman, where he was carefully developed and trained locally, rather than through domestic races. He then competed in Bahrain and secured third place, which clearly demonstrated his quality and potential. Based on that performance, we decided to send him back to France to compete at a higher level and gain further experience, where he will remain for the current season.”

Trainer Mohammed al Balushi highlighted that the win was the result of careful preparation and a well-planned strategy. He said: “I was supposed to travel to France with the team, but work commitments prevented me from doing so. However, I remained in constant communication with them to provide the race strategy. I know this horse very well, having personally trained him in Oman and understanding his strengths and characteristics, which helped guide the team toward this achievement.”

This victory further strengthens the presence of Arab horses in European endurance racing and reflects the continued development of the sport on the international stage.