HORSERACING – The sprint division of round three of the 2023-24 Bahrain Turf Series was won by the John Quinn trained Brazen Bolt, who showed blistering speed to burn off all of his 17 rivals in the 1,000m Al Wasmiya Cup.
In recording his impressive win, Brazen Bolt jumped to the top of the leader board in the latest standing for the Bahrain Turf Series, having now accumulated 30 points from just three runs.
One of five internationally trained horses running in the 18-runner race, Brazen Bolt and jockey Alberto Sana barely saw another horse, jumping smartly from stall five, the pair led from early on and after making their way across to the far rail were not for catching.
John Quinn’s consistent seven-year-old gelding was following up a good second last time out and led home a one-two for North Yorkshire trained horses, with the runner-up spot taken by Squealer, trained by Nigel Tinkler.
Speaking afterwards, John Quinn, who was enjoying his first visit to the Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club (REHC), said of Brazen Bolt’s victory: “He seems to thrive in the sun and he loves fast ground. Bahrain have made it very appealing for people to bring horses here. There is great prize money and we thought if we had suitable horses we’d come. I am also delighted for the owners who are here today. Peter (Furr) who owns him, bred him as well, which is wonderful.
“We have been very pleased with the horse since he arrived and he’s been running better and better. Ahead of today’s race, he’d been training nicely and although his best form is at six furlongs (1,200m) he’s never been slow and he loves top of the ground.”
The win was a first in the Bahrain Turf Series for Italian born jockey Alberto Sanna, who said afterwards: “It’s an amazing feeling because people can forget your abilities very quickly, so you have to prove yourself all the time and prove you are in good form.
“I was drawn five and when I spoke with the trainer he agreed to try and go for the rail. I want to thank connections for giving me the chance to ride this magnificent horse, he was an easy ride, beautiful. He’s a tough horse too and keeps going. When he got to the rail it helped him gallop all the way through to the line.”
The Al Adiyat Cup, round three of the middle-distance division in the Bahrain Turf Series, was won impressively by the strong galloping Zagato, ridden by Neil Callan and trained by Fawzi Nass for Al Mohamediya Racing. The son of champion sire Frankel won by nearly five lengths in the 1,800m race. Isle of Jura, a winner and a runner-up in his two starts to date retains his place at top of the leader board for the middle-distance division of the Turf series.
Launched in 2021-22, this season is the third edition of the ten-race Bahrain Turf Series. The series runs alongside the domestic programme in Bahrain with international horses competing in the series also eligible to run in other Bahrain Turf Club races open to imported horses. Each race is worth $80,000 with bonus prizes for the horses accumulating most points in the two divisions, sprint and middle distance.
Meanwhile, the last race of the day, for the Shaikh Salman bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa Cup, was won by Taaris, owned by Abdulla Fawzi Nass. The winner of the 1,800m race for local-bred horses was ridden by Husain Makki and trained by Fawzi Nass.
Earlier, Illuminated, owned by Mohammed Khalid Abdulrahim, won the 2,000m seventh race for imported horses to clinch the Shaikh Abdulla bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa Cup.
Knight Of Honour, of Al Mohamediya Racing, raced to victory in the sixth race of the day, for the Shaikh Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa Cup.
Metahorse, of Al Afoo Racing, claimed The Huntsman Cup after winning the third race while Galatia, owned by Shaikh Hamad bin Abdulla bin Isa Al Khalifa, sealed victory in the second race to bag the Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa Cup.
The opening race, for Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa Cup, was won by Kuheilan Weld Umm Zorayr 1797, of Al Khaldiya.
The races were held in the presence of REHC honorary president Shaikh Abdulla bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa and under the patronage of REHC chairman Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. Also present was Supreme Council for Environment vice president and REHC deputy chairman Shaikh Faisal bin Rashid Al Khalifa.
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