Mahathir comes 5th in chariot race

Mahathir comes 5th in chariot race

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Sunday came fifth when he took part in a chariot racing competition.

Mahathir, 75, who is patron of the Malaysian Equine Council, is a regular horse rider.

He launched the Harness Driving Center at the Selangor Turf Club, just south of Kuala Lumpur, and then joined in the marathon section of the harness driving competition.

Harness driving involves steering a horse strapped to a cart by a rider seated in a cart and is said to be one of the fastest growing equestrian sports in the world.

Mahathir urged families to take up horse riding or harness driving as a recreational activity.

"I hope this sport will get on and people will realise there is a healthy sporting aspect in horse racing," he said in a speech.