THE most prestigious races of the season will be held today at the Rashid Equestrian and Horse Racing Club in Sakhir.
Three of the six feature races will be for His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa Cups.
Shogun, owned by Al Adiyat Racing, trained by Alan Smith and to be ridden by Frankie Dettori, is the favourite to win His Majesty King Hamad Cup for imported horses carrying a cash prize of BD20,000 and to be run over 2,400 metres, starting at 5.25pm..
King Bolete and Pressure Point are the second and third favourites respectively.
News Breaker, owned by Victorious, trained by Alan Smith and ridden by Frankie Dettori, is tipped to win His Majesty King Hamad Cup for locally bred horses carrying a cash prize of BD20,000 and to be run over 2,400 metres, starting at 5pm.
Milyar and Sabreh are the second and third favourites respectively.
Kuheilan Aafas 1675, owned by Al Wasmiya, trained by Abdulla Kuwaiti and to be ridden by Brett Doyle, is the best bet to win His Majesty King Hamad Cup for Arabian horses carrying a cash prize of BD7,000 and to be run over 1,600 metres, starting at 4.10pm.
Al Jellaby 1544 and Kuheilan Aafas 1640 are expected to give the favourite a run for its money.
The day’s action begins at 3.20pm with the race for the Tattersalls Cup for imported horses carrying a cash prize of BD2,000 and to be run over 1,000 metres straight.
Of the nine horse in the fray, Blood Moon, owned by Shaikh Khalid bin Ali bin Isa Al Khalifa, trained by Abdulla Kuwaiti and to be ridden by A Rahim Jasim, looks in best shape to win this race ahead of its nearest challengers Showdaisy and Grey Z.
Favourites
It will be followed by the race for the Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak Apprentice World Championship (IFHRA) for Arabian horses carrying a cash prize of BD10,000 and to be run over 1,400 metres, starting at 3.45pm.
Of the 12 horses in the fray, Al Hamdany 1697, owned by Safra and trained by Alan Smith, is tipped to win this race.
Kuheilan Aafas 1695 and Al Hamdany 1680 are the second and third favourites resptively.
Thorkhill Star, owned by Al Adiyat Racing, trained by Alan Smith and ridden by Andrea Atzeni, is the favourite to win the Al Methaq Cup for imported horses carrying a cash prize of BD7,000 and to be run over 1,600 metres, starting at 4.35pm.
Laidback Romeo and Zain Emperor are the second and third favourites.