HORSERACING – THE 2025-26 Bahrain Turf Series got off to a blistering start yesterday at the Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club (REHC) with the 18 runner Al Manama Cup (sponsored by BBK) over the straight 1,000m and the race had a fairytale ending with local jockey Husain Makki making the most of a late call up to ride the Irish sprinter Kendall Roy to victory for trainer Kate McGivern, who herself has only two horses in training.
The races at the REHC yesterday were witnessed by Supreme Council for Youth and Sport first deputy chairman, General Sports Authority chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
Kate McGivern had originally booked Oisin Orr for the ride but when Orr’s flight was cancelled earlier yesterday she was forced to make alternative plans, a task complicated by the number of riders already engaged to ride in the race.
Speaking after the race, Kate McGivern said: “Husain picked the ride up two hours before the race when I had to make a decision and I must say he gave it an absolute peach from start to finish, he timed it to perfection.”
“This win means everything. He’s the most fun horse, he tries every time he runs. And every time I am under pressure, he pulls it out of the bag for me. I’m so delighted.”
In a race predictably run at a searching pace, it suited horses closing from off the pace and Husain Makki timed it perfectly on Kendall Roy, swooping late to deny last season’s Series winner Roman Dragon and his stable mate Dubai Bling, who finished second and third for trainer Hugo Palmer. An eye-catching run from Desert Cop to finish fourth for George Baker made it a clean sweep for the internationals in round one of the sprint series.
An emotional and delighted Kate McGivern was joined at the REHC by her proud mother, Joanna Morgan, who was a pioneer herself, being the first ever professional female jockey in Ireland and who subsequently enjoyed much success as a trainer, including victories in Dubai when she held her licence.
In the opening middle-distance race of the Bahrain Turf Series, the Al Muharraq Cup (sponsored by Alba), George Baker’s Nesthorn made a striking impression on his debut for the yard, winning in fine style under Benoit De La Sayette, beating Hi Royal, Kevin Ryan’s former Classic placed charge, into second place.
In what turned out to be a rough race, in which Marco Ghiani lost his irons on Salamanca Lad and Dain Ma Nut In was almost pulled up when appearing to hang left, De La Sayette patiently picked a path down the centre of the track, away from the horses on the rails, and went clear on Nesthorn for an impressive success.
Bred and originally raced by Juddmonte, Nesthorn’s last outing was in France when he was fifth of five behind subsequent Arc winner, Daryz, back in May. He was bought by George Baker for The Have Horse Will Travel Partnership and they appear to have a talented horse on their hands.
Speaking after the race, Benoit De La Sayette said: “He’s been off the track for quite a while and he was drawn fifteen, so we thought it best to drop in and let him find his feet. It was quite a dramatic race, but I had a lovely run round and when I asked him to quicken he galloped right out to the line. “
Assistant trainer Candida Baker said: “It’s so exciting. He’s only a three-year-old but he’s got such a good mind, he’s so laid back and so easy to do anything with. We will look after this one.”
She added: “Coming to Bahrain has been an absolute privilege for all of us. For my family, my friends and my parents come every year. To have a winner here is great, it’s not easy, and it’s getting harder and harder, so we are absolutely delighted.”
Byline is fast earning legendary status in Bahrain and he recorded his 18th career win and his 16th in the kingdom in the Listed HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa Cup, beating No Retreat and Calif. It was landmark win for trainers Daniel and Claire Kubler, who were enjoying their first Stakes win in the kingdom since they started training for Al Adiyat Racing.
Co-trainer Dan Kubler said of Byline after the race: “There’s a bit of pressure because everyone loves him here and we love him too. He’s a lovely horse as a character and he’s a brilliant racehorse. He turned in full of running and he knows where the finish line is. He just loves his racing.”
Co-trainer Claire Kubler added: “It is very special to have our first Stakes winner here in Bahrain. To have the opportunity to come and train for His Highness Shaikh Isa and have horses of the calibre of Byline, it’s very special.
“Byline has got some unfinished business in Saudi so it would be exciting if we could take him back there in February.”
Spanning December to March and comprised of six sprint races and six middle-distance races, each contest in the Bahrain Turf Series is worth a minimum of $80,000, with a further $40,000 available in bonuses for the leading horse in each category.
Earlier, Galatia, owned by Shaikh Hamad bin Abdulla bin Isa Al Khalifa, raced to victory in the fourth race of the day to claim the Shaikh Faisal Bin Khalid Bin Hamad Al Khalifa Cup while Zeal, owned by Mohammed Khalid Abdulrahim, won the Shaikh Abdulla Bin Khalid Bin Hamad Al Khalfa Cup.
Monty Bay, of Al Mallah Racing claimed victory in the race for the Shaikh Nasser Bin Khalid Bin Hamad Al Khalifa Cup and Hizaam, owned by Shaikh Salman bin Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa, bagged the Shaikh Salman Bin Khalid Bin Hamad Al Khalifa Cup.
The opening race of the day, for the Shaikh Hamad Bin Khalid Bin Hamad Al Khalifa Cup, was won by Kuheilan Al Adiyat 1894, of Victorious Forever.
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