Twelve months after watching on injured from the sidelines as Jason Watson won aboard Lord Glitters, Daniel Tudhope was celebrating a big-race success as he partnered the Saeed bin Suroor-trained Dubai Future to glory in the fourth edition of the £600,000 Group 3 Bahrain International Trophy at the Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club’s racetrack.
Bin Suroor celebrated a 1-2 in the race with Passion and Glory following his stablemate in second and Carlos Laffon-Parias-trained Ricorvo finished third.
His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, presented the Bahrain International Cup to Bin Suroor and affirmed that Bahrain has become a leading destination in organising sporting events and forums, and it has succeeded in establishing its position on the horse racing map.
“Bahrain has competitive elements and high capabilities that have enhanced its competitiveness in attracting regional and international sports forums, reflecting the visions and aspirations of His Majesty King Hamad,” the Crown Prince and Prime Minister said in the presence of His Majesty’s representative for humanitarian work and youth affairs Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, ruling family members and other officials.
Bin Suroor has won big races all over the world in a 30-year career, but this win gave him a maiden success in Bahrain. He said: “This means a lot for us, I have won in most countries in the world but this is the first time in Bahrain and it is great for us.”
Bahrain Turf Club chairman Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa was thrilled that Godolphin won this year’s race. He said, “Congratulations to Godolphin for winning the 2022 Bahrain International Trophy, a remarkable race competed by some of the best horses and jockeys. Dubai Future was a well-deserved winner and was given a superb ride by Daniel Tudhope.
“The fourth edition of the Bahrain International Trophy is built on the tremendous success of the Bahrain Turf Club in staging a high-quality and competitive race annually. Today, the race has cemented its position as one of the most anticipated races in the final phase of the season. We look forward to the Bahrain Turf Series starting in December and welcoming more international participants.”
By winning the race Dubai Future receives an automatic invitation into the Group 3 Neom Cup on Saudi Cup night in February.
There were seven other races in the day’s card.
In the Bapco Cup race over 1,600m for imported horses with handicap, Paul Hanagan steered Giustino, trained by A M Smith and owned by Al Adiyat Racing, to victory 3/4 length ahead of Maystar. Ecosystem and Gateway finished third and fourth, respectively.
The sixth race for the Batelco Cup over 2,400m for imported horses of all classes, Rayounpour, ridden by Harry Davies, trained by Smith and owned by Al Adiyat Racing, won by a length over Recovery Run, followed by Tall Order and encourage in that order.
Edinson Rodriguez rode Roman River to victory in the earlier Batelco Cup race over 1,000m for Class 1 imported and graded horses. The Smith-trained horse, owned by M and E Racing, won by 1-1/2 lengths over Ocean Star, followed by First Edition and Dark Shadow, respectively.
Khazzama, trained by Haider Ebrahim and owned by Shaikh Hamad bin Abdulla bin Isa Al Khalifa, was ridden by Abdulla Faisal to victory in the fourth race for Bapco Cup over 1,200m straight for locally bred class 1 graded horses. Toulouse Le Plot was four lengths behind, followed by Qamari and Dirab in that order.
In the third race over 2,200m for locally bred horses with handicap, Jerome Mutard steered Mugheerah, trained by Abdulla Kuwaiti and owned by Al Nayefaat, to victory by half a length over El Professor with Sinjar and Asalah, finishing third and fourth, respectively.
The opening race of the day’s card was for the Bahrain Economic Development Cup over 1,200m for maiden horses (Waho). Hussain Asghar rode Al Saqlawy, trained by Yousif Alboainain and owned by Al Riffa, to a 3-3/4 lengths victory over Al Krush 1823, followed by Al Shawaf 1817 and Mlolshan 1865, in that order.
In the second Bahrain Economic Development Cup over 1,800m for locally bred horses with handicap, Stephane Ladjadj steered Living Art, trained by Hesham Al Haddad and owned by Abdulla Sami Nass, to a 3/4 length victory over Shawwash. Lahoug took the third spot.