HORSERACING – ZEAL lifted the Al Sharif Group Bahrain Bred Cup last night to headline the 19th meeting of the 2025-26 season at Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club (REHC) in Sakhir.
Prime Minister’s Court Minister and REHC High Committee chairman Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa was in attendance.
Formula One driver Yuki Tsunoda was also on hand as he is in the kingdom for F1 Aramco Pre-Season Testing 2026, currently taking place at Bahrain International Circuit.
Jockey Ebrahim Nader steered Zeal to the win in the BD4,000 race, which was held over a 1,200-metre straight for locally bred horses.
The five-year-old gelding put in a dominant performance for owner Mohammed Khalid Abdulrahim and trainer Haider Ebrahim, winning by four-and-a-quarter lengths from runner-up Waqiaah, competing for Al Afoo Racing, Jaber Ramadhan, and Aidan Keeley.
Luna came third for Al Mohamediya Racing, Ali Abdulmajeed, and Ray Dawson, while Shgardi was fourth for Afoo, Ramadhan, and Ahmed Maki.
Also yesterday, Sharkii took the Al Sharif Group Sprint Cup while Azka won the Al Sharif Group Cup.
Sharkii triumphed across a 1,200m straight to take the lion’s share of the BD3,000 prize amongst an imported field. The four-year-old colt, ridden by Abdulla Faisal, took first for Al Sharq Racing and Mahmood Jawad, finishing in front of Neptunian, racing for Shaikh Isa bin Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa.
Brooklyn Nine Nine was third for Rashed Racing, Yousif Alboainain, and Mark Lawson, while Western was fourth for Mohamediya, Abdulmajeed, and Benoit De La Sayette.
In Azka’s victory, the six-year-old gelding narrowly secured first after 2,200m to claim the biggest share of the BD3,000 prize for owners Azka Racing and trainer Fawzi Nass, with jockey Stephane Ladjadj on the saddle.
Azka won by a half-length’s margin from Battyeford Boy, who came second for Abdulla Algaoud, Abdulla Kuwaiti, and Abdulrahim Jasim. Knight of Honour was third for Mohamediya, Abdulmajeed, and Hussain Asghar, while Gimme Shelter came fourth for Afoo, Ramadhan, and Keeley.
Elsewhere yesterday Stellar Arrow won the Crown Industries Mile Cup for Mohamediya, Mohamed Hasan, and Asghar; Mind Your Manners lifted the Crown Industries Cup for M and E Racing, Paul Smith, and Lee Newman; and Kuheilan Aafas 1952 took the Safra Cup for Al Riffa, Alboainain, and Ali Isa.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
&uuid=(email))