After landing the Group 3 Bahrain International Trophy in November with Dubai Future, Saeed bin Suroor and Daniel Tudhope teamed up once again to win the prestigious His Majesty The King’s Cup with Passion And Glory for Godolphin yesterday.
His Majesty King Hamad deputised Royal Court Affairs Minister Shaikh Ali bin Isa Al Khalifa to attend the races, organised by Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club (REHC) at its racecourse in Sakhir.
The King’s representative for humanitarian work and youth affairs Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, REHC chairman Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Supreme Council for Environment vice-president and REHC deputy chairman Shaikh Faisal bin Rashid Al Khalifa attended the races.
Passion And Glory, who himself was second in the Bahrain International Trophy, proved his class under a confident Tudhope ride to get the better of the Charlie Appleby-trained First Ruler, giving Godolphin a 1-2. It has been a hugely successful season for Godolphin in Bahrain, with the operation winning the three principal races run in the kingdom: Dubai Future (Bahrain International Trophy), Warren Point (The Crown Prince’s Cup) and finally yesterday’s hugely coveted King’s Cup with Passion And Glory.
Hopes were high that last year’s winner Zagato could deliver for the home team but he failed to fire and finished down the field. The best of the locals was Tawaareq who stayed on to be third, the same position he finished in this race last year.
Reflecting on the competition, Shaikh Isa said: “Today we have witnessed another memorable renewal of His Majesty The King’s Cup. Congratulations to Godolphin, to trainer Saeed bin Suroor and to jockey Danny Tudhope following their success with Passion And Glory.
“It is testament to the growth and development of the sport that horseracing in Bahrain now regularly attracts world-class horses and world-renowned trainers and jockeys such as Saeed bin Suroor and Danny Tudhope. And I would like to congratulate Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum on his success with Passion And Glory and thank him for his ongoing support for racing in the kingdom.
“As shown by today’s racing, this season we have taken another step towards fulfilling our ambition to establish Bahrain as a home for top-class International horseracing. I would like to take this opportunity to thank not only our overseas visitors but also the kingdom’s own jockeys, trainers and owners, without whom such progress would not be possible.”
Earlier in the card in the listed Al Methaq Mile, the Allan Smith-trained Byline bounced back from finishing eighth in Saudi Arabia two weeks ago to run out an impressive winner for owner Al Adiyat Racing. Ridden by Gerald Mosse, the son of Muhaarar powered clear. That victory gave Al Adiyat Racing and Allan Smith a treble on the day.
Meanwhile, Bin Isaan Racing’s Epic, trained by Fawzi Nass and ridden by Stephane Ladjadj, won the final race of the day, for the King’s Cup.
Al Tariq, owned by Abdulla Fawzi Nass, was second while Manama Girl, of Ramadhan Stable, finished third.
American Flag, of Al Adiyat Racing, won the fifth race, for The Mazad Cup while Rebel At Dawn, of Al Adiyat Racing, clinched victory in the fourth race.
The third race was won by Athba, owned by Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla bin Isa Al Khalifa, while Mudallal, of Al Mohamediya Racing, clinched the Al Raffa Cup for the winner of the second race.
The opening race of the day, for the King’s Cup, was claimed by Kuheilan Umm Zorayr 1797, of Al Khaldiya stable.
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