HORSERACING – The 2025-26 national horseracing season is set to kick off on October 31.
This was announced yesterday by Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club (REHC), who have approved the calendar for the new campaign.
It will feature a rich and diverse programme of local and international races, supported by numerous new development initiatives that align with the club’s vision to enhance its technical and administrative organising capabilities.
This comes as an implementation of the directives of the REHC High Committee, chaired by Minister of the Prime Minister’s Court Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, to consolidate the kingdom’s status as a leading destination in the horseracing world.
REHC CEO Yusuf Osama Buheji explained that the upcoming season will build on previous successes and will witness a qualitative leap in the quality of racing and the organisation of events.
One of the season’s highlights is the His Majesty the King’s Cup Festival, which is the most prominent event on the calendar.
The prize money has been increased to $400,000 following last season’s upgrade to Group Three status.
This will attract elite participants from international studs and confirm the international presence of this unique race dedicated to high-ranking imported horses.
The festival will be held for the second consecutive year over two days on March 5 and 6 of next year.
Buheji pointed out that international races have proven successful in previous seasons and will continue including, most notably, the Bahrain International Trophy (Group Two), which will be held in its seventh edition on November 14, with the participation of the world’s most prominent studs and will be broadcasted live to over 100 countries.
The Bahrain Turf Series will continue with 12 races held over several stages – the first round will be on December 19, while subsequent rounds will be on January 2, 16, 29, and February 19 of 2026, leading up to the final round on March 5.
The Crown Prince’s Cup Festival will also take place on January 29 and 30, in addition to the season-finale, scheduled for April 17 next year.
Buheji thanked all partners and sponsors within the kingdom and abroad for their continued support, which have had a significant impact on the REHC’s continued success, as well as the development of its races and the strengthening of the kingdom’s regional and international status in this field.
Buheji added that night races, launched last season, will continue on the calendar, given their success with fans and organisers.
They will also help attract owners and trainers from outside Bahrain to participate, in addition to diversifying the public experience through races held at various times throughout the season.
As part of developing the public experience, the REHC announced the adoption of an electronic ticketing system for attending races, which will be available through the club’s website.
These electronic tickets will include several categories, each coming with different services and benefits.
In addition, the events area will have a variety of entertainment activities with continuously developed programmes.
Special celebrations will be held for national occasions, such as National Day, the Royal Tea Evening on January 23, and the Ramadan Nights Festival as well as public competitions held on the sidelines of the races.
In the upcoming season, a new main entrance gate will be inaugurated as well as a dedicated public street as part of the club’s infrastructure projects aimed at facilitating entry and exit and regulating traffic, in line with the REHC’s overall development plan.
The season will also feature the second edition of the Future Stars Series, which is dedicated for locally bred horses.
The series will include six races divided into three rounds, aiming to support local production and provide opportunities for national talents in competitive fields.
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