HORSERACING – WORLD-RENOWNED trainer Karl Burke enjoyed his first Stakes winner outside of Europe when his seven-year-old Royal Champion won the $1 million Bahrain International Trophy, the most valuable race run in Bahrain and the trainer’s first runner in the kingdom.
In attendance yesterday at Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club (REHC) were Supreme Council for Youth and Sport first deputy chairman, General Sports Authority chairman, and Bahrain Olympic Committee president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa; Prime Minister’s Court Minister and REHC High Committee chairman Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa; REHC honourary president Shaikh Abdulla bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa; Shaikh Mohammed bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa; 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; amongst other high-ranking officials.
Racing in the colours of Shaikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum, Royal Champion won his biggest and most prestigious race to date, delivering a late challenge under jockey James Doyle to deny the long-time leader Galen.
In the aftermath of the race, Doyle dedicated the victory to his riding colleague, Clifford Lee, who is currently in hospital recovering from an injury that robbed him of the chance to ride Royal Champion in the race.
Royal Champion moved to Burke’s yard in Yorkshire in November of last year, after an unsuccessful spell in Australia. Under Burke’s care, the horse has gone from strength to strength, winning a Group Two at York in July before finishing third in the Group One Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes in September.
He has now added the Group Two Bahrain International Trophy to his CV and in doing so maintained the remarkable run of success of Yorkshire-trained horses in the race, becoming the fourth such winner in the last five years.
Bahrain Turf Club CEO Yusuf Buheji said: “Congratulations to owner Shaikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum, trainer Karl Burke, and jockey James Doyle following Royal Champion’s exciting victory in the 2025 Bahrain International Trophy.
“We are very proud of how the Bahrain International Trophy has developed and once again the race attracted a high-quality international field, with many of the world’s best jockeys. The crowd on course and those watching around the world were treated to a thrilling race under the floodlights at the Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club.
“I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the international participants who have supported the race and contributed to enhancing the profile of racing in Bahrain. I would also like to thank our commercial partners and stakeholders, without whom the remarkable progress we have made would not have been possible.
“We are already looking forward to 2026 and further establishing the Bahrain International Trophy as a significant event in the global racing calendar.”
Speaking after the race, Doyle was quick to thank Lee, who has ridden Royal Champion on his previous six starts.
“I think the first person who should be mentioned is Clifford,” said Doyle. “He’s been a big part of this horse’s life and he can’t be here riding him tonight but we wish him a full recovery and I hope Cliff will be proud of the ride I gave Royal Champion.
“As a horse, he’s so straightforward. He was just getting himself balanced on this track and then once we levelled up in the straight, he was always going to get there, and he pricked his ears when he saw the cameras. It was an enjoyable last furlong.
“I have been very fortunate to have come to Bahrain to ride for many a year and it’s fantastic to finally win this race. I was just touched off a few years back on an old friend of mine in Barney Roy. It’s a fantastic race, really gathering momentum and you could see that by the strength in depth of the field today.”
The runner-up, beaten three-quarters of a length, was Galen, trained by Joseph O’Brien and ridden by Dylan Browne McMonagle, with Military Order staying on into third for trainer Charlie Appleby and jockey William Buick.
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