There was a notable British winner in the final race of the day at the Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club yesterday.
In the Shaikh Nasser Bin Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa Cup (Local Grade 2), Lucander landed a valuable race for UK-based trainer George Baker. Lucander, ridden by Andrea Atzeni was the only international horse in the race and he made it an easy victory and a second success in Bahrain following his victory in the opening Bahrain Turf Series race of the season. The race was worth £66,667 to the winner.
Lucander’s impressive success saw him beat some of the best racehorses trained in Bahrain, with Zagato in second and Tawaareq in third. In total this season, Lucander has scooped £114,844 in prize money for owners Nigel Jones and Paul Bowden.
Yesterday also saw the finale of The Bahrain Turf Series with Devaste, under Neil Callan, taking the final sprint race and Goemon, in the hands of Andrea Atzeni, winning the The Vision 2030 Cup over 1m2f.
Reflecting on the 2022/23 Bahrain Turf Series, Bahrain Turf Club chairman Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa said: “We have welcomed more connections from around the world to Bahrain this season, with 20 international horses competing in the second year of the Bahrain Turf Series. We have seen some very competitive racing throughout the Turf Series and it’s been brilliant to see leading international trainers Charlie Appleby, David O’Meara and George Baker enjoy success in the kingdom.
“We are looking forward to evolving the Turf Series further and welcoming international connections back in Bahrain next season.”
In total, international horses have scooped £182,400 from the 10 Bahrain Turf Series Races so far (£600,000 total available) which equates to 30.4 per cent of the prize money available. The three international winners were Lucander (Baker), Nomadic Empire (O’Meara) and King Of Conquest (Appleby).
Devaste landed the £60,000 Al Sakhir Cup over 6f, under Neil Callan for trainer Hesham Al Haddad. Despite being drawn 18 of 18 and away from the pace, Devaste quickened well in the final stretch of the race under Callan to get the better of the two Al Adiyat-owned horses – Pure Dreamer and Rebel At Dawn.
Regular Bahrain Turf Series winning jockey and retained rider for Al Mohamediya Racing, Callan, said: “I was a little worried half way in the race as the far side had a big advantage on us and in this head wind I thought they were going quite hard but he got there quite comfortably and he quickened really well, it was a nice performance.”
The Vision 2030 Cup went to Goemon under Atzeni who just got the better of Merlin’s Beard in a pulsating finish. It was a first Turf Series victory for Atzeni who gave his retained owner MKAR Racing a big-race success. The Jamie Osborne-trained Inigo Jones secured more prize-money after finishing a gallant third under young rider Connor Planas.
Atzeni, who has been based in Bahrain for the season, said: “I’ve been close in a few Turf Series races but it’s always nice to win one. They aren’t easy to win and you need the right horse, so we were lucky enough to have a horse like Goemon.”
Goemon was successful twice on the all-weather in England, once for Roger Varian and once for Kevin Philippart De Foy and Atzeni believes he has a big future.
The opening race for the Shaikh Mohammed bin Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa Cup over 1,600m was won by Kuheilan Umm Zorayr 1797 of the Al Khaldiya stable ridden by Callan, followed by Kuheilat Al Adiyat and Kuheilan Afaas 1695 in third.
Black Shadow, owned by M & E Racing and ridden by Edinson Rodrigues, won the second race for the Shaikh Khalid bin Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa Cup over 1,600m. Taufan took second place and Amwaj finished third.
The third race for the Shaikh Hamdan bin Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa Cup over 1,200m straight was won by Carina, owned by Abdulla Fawzi Nass and ridden by Husain Makki, with Sharid and Magsooda finishing in that order.
Buffer Zone, owned by Victorious and ridden by Stephane Pasquier, won the sixth race for the Shaikha Shaima bint Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa Cup over 1,400m, followed by Chimgan and Maystar in second and third places, respectively.
The seventh race for the Shaikh Hamad bin Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa Cup over 2,200m was won by Al Tariq, owned by Abdulla Fawzi Nass and ridden by Stephane Ladjadj, with Epic and Manama Girl taking second and third places, respectively.
The winners of the raffle draw for three cars were Jaber Ahmed, Hussein Daoud Shehab and Hassan Ibrahim Jaafar.