HORSERACING – THE stage is set for the 2025 running of the kingdom’s most valuable horserace, as the starting gate positions were determined last night for tomorrow’s $1 million Bahrain International Trophy.
The official post-position draw for the highly anticipated Group Two event took place yesterday at Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay.
Prime Minister’s Court Minister and Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club (REHC) High Committee chairman Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa attended the event.
Also on hand were Supreme Council for Environment vice-president and REHC High Committee deputy chairman Shaikh Faisal bin Rashid bin Isa Al Khalifa, and legendary football manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who is the co-owner of the winner of the race’s previous two editions, Spirit Dancer. Other high-ranking officials and the connections of the participating horses were also present.
Shaikh Isa affirmed that the numerous international sporting events hosted by Bahrain reflect the kingdom’s capabilities and competitive advantages, which strengthen its position on the international stage.
Shaikh Isa noted that such events contribute to supporting the kingdom’s comprehensive development, led by His Majesty King Hamad and supported by the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
Shaikh Isa added that the continued success of the Bahrain International Trophy over the years has strengthened the kingdom’s reputation within the equestrian and horseracing community worldwide, which underscores Bahrain’s ability to host and successfully deliver international championships and races.
This year’s Bahrain International Trophy will be the headlining event of an exciting eight-race card tomorrow at REHC in Sakhir. Run over 2,000m, it will be held under floodlights along the kingdom’s world-class turf track, and it is scheduled for a 7.40pm start.
The race’s eight top-quality runners are coming from Britain, Ireland, France, the UAE, and Bahrain.
Starting from gates one to eight, respectively, will be Lion’s Pride, Military Order, Royal Champion, Bright Picture, Galen, Pride of Arras, Persica, and Bahrain’s very own Calif, competing for Victorious Forever, owned by His Majesty’s representative for humanitarian work and youth affairs and Supreme Council for Youth and Sport chairman Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
“I’m happy with the draw,” Karl Burke, the world-renowned trainer of Royal Champion, the race’s highest-rated horse, told the GDN last night. “Ideally, I would have loved to be drawn four – that was the one I wanted – but three is fine.
“When you travel horses away, there’s always a little bit of pressure – they’ve got to eat, they’ve got to drink, and they have to ultimately perform. That’s why we’re here.
“You don’t want them to run a bad race; I’d be amazed if he does. Hopefully, he can run up to his best and if he runs to his best, I think he’s going to be right up there.”
Top Bahraini trainer Fawzi Nass, who trains Bahrain’s contender Calif, commented during the draw: “The calibre is there. It’s a smaller field, but they are all very good horses.”
REHC High Committee international racing representative Shaikh Salman bin Rashed Al Khalifa expressed his delight with the high quality of contenders that this year’s Bahrain International Trophy has attracted.
“We have a very strong field – eight horses are participating, and I think it’s going to be impossible to predict as it is very competitive,” Shaikh Salman told the GDN.
“I think, like every year, we should expect a very exciting day. It’s very nice to see all these big-name trainers, owners, and jockeys from all around the world coming to attend our race. It means a lot to us to have them here to participate. We hope that everyone gets to enjoy their time.”
Shaikh Salman highlighted that the Bahrain International Trophy has established itself as an event that is “targeted by top trainers from around the world”.
“It’s amazing how the race has developed since 2019,” Shaikh Salman said. “Development is an ongoing thing – we are always seeking to progress. But it’s fair at this stage to say that the race is developed and well-established on the racing calendar globally. It’s a race that is targeted by top trainers from around the world, and I’m very happy to see where the race has reached today. I think it’s only going to continue to strengthen.”
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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