Royal helmet, number plate fetch Dh50m at auction

Dubai - Some of the auctioned items included Shaikh Mohammed's helmet and a saddle donated by Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed.

In an unprecedented charity auction, the race helmet worn by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, during his win at the FEI World Endurance Championship in 2012, sold for a record-breaking Dh24.05 million.
Also, among the prestigious auction items was Al Yamamah saddle donated by Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, on which he rode to victory at the 2014 Altech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France. The saddle sold for a record-breaking Dh2.4million.
The total proceeds of the Al Jalila Foundation fundraising gala dinner - that was attended by over 350 guests - reached Dh89.8 million. This included a Dh25 million donation from Sunny Varkey, founder and chairman of GEMS Education; and Dh10 million from a long-term supporter of the foundation, Raghuvinder Kataria.
The gala dinner, held under the theme of 'Research for Life', was also attended by Princess Haya bint Al Hussein; Dr Raja Al Gurg, Member of the Board for Trustees and Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Al Jalila Foundation; Humaid Mohammed Obaid Al Qutami, Director-General of Dubai Health Authority; Abdulla Al Shaibani, Secretary-General of the Dubai Executive Council: Members of the Board of Trustees of Al Jalila Foundation and a number of philanthropists and members of the community.
The second highest auction sale of the evening was for Shaikh Zayed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's Dubai Distinguished Vehicle Number Plate code O number 9, which fetched Dh23.90 million. This was the first time that a single digit Dubai number plate has ever been auctioned.
Other auction items included an Arabian Horse, a luxury holiday experience; 300 Year Old Quran; a sculpture by famous Emirati artist; antique pistol statue; limited edition timepieces and a number of Etisalat distinguished telephone numbers.
The auction organised by global auction house Emirates Auction began online to enable a wider participation and attracted more than 600 bids.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE
• Dubai