Welcome

On 22 August in the year 2009 myself and twenty-four other courageous riders will mount our steeds amidst the ruins of the great Chinggis Khaan’s ancient capital Kharkhorin, to face a gruelling 1000 km horse race across the empty wilderness of Mongolia. This will be no ordinary horse race. The Mongol Derby is not a test of the horse's speed, but the rider's skill, endurance and the willingness to survive.

The Mongol Derby will see us tackle the challenge of semi-wild horses and surviving alone in the wild steppes of Mongolia. There's no marked course, no catering tent and no support; this is horse racing on a whole new level. I will change my steed every 40 km so the horses will be fresh. Bleeding kidneys, severe dehydration, severe sunburn, sores, broken limbs, strains, severe muscle pain, grazes, bruises, food poisoning, poisoning from water intake, dysentery, wind chapping, infected wounds, disorientation, even wolf attacks are a few of the dangers that stand between myself and glorious victory!

Ewan MacGregor and Charlie Boorman from the TV series ‘long way round’ crossed through Mongolia on their BMW motorbikes with the luxury of a full support crew and found it tough. All I will have is myself, my horse, a maximum 10kgs of supplies and the stars to guide me through the wilderness.

Please join me on this life changing adventure by following my progress through this website where you will find blogs and a route map showing my current location.

Acknowledgements

Last but certainly not least I would like to thank the following people for making this all possible: firstly one of my best friends, Zara Phillips, who was my reference and explained to the organisers that he’s bloody terrible on a horse! Thanks Z!; secondly a huge thanks to Katy and Tex from the Sandalford Polo Club for allowing me to train on their horses; and finally I would like to thank a good friend from Perth, Ed McGough, for putting this amazing site together.

Contact Details

Mobile: +61 (0) 433 156 330
e-mail: dave.murray@aus.apachecorp.com

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