Saudi rider Abdullah Sharbatly claims 5-star event in Shanghai

Abdullah Sharbatly celebrates after winning the Shanghai Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix 1.60m jump-off on Saturday. [Photo by Gao Erqiang\chinadaily.com.cn]

Saudi equestrian Abdullah Sharbatly said he will never sell Tobalio at any experience.

The brown gelding carried Al Sharbatly to emerge victory at a stunning 41.97 sec at Shanghai Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix 1.60m jump-off on Saturday, when fans enjoyed a breathtaking showoff among five riders who respectively beat the time set by the previous rider.

Al Sharbatly was the last on course beating Marco Kutscher with Van Gogh from Germany and 42.27 sec and Marc Houtzager with Sterrehof's Calimero from Netherlands.

The Grand Prix extended the agreement with Shanghai for future of the event, Longines, which has become a dynamic fixture on the circuit's international calendar. The unique 5* event in China was part of a strategic expansion by the Tour into Asia.

The Tour now returns to Europe and to Hamburg for the fifth round of action as the 2016 championship picks up pace.