HORSERACING – Bahraini runner Sovereign Spirit finished amongst the prize money winners last night in the $500,000 Saudi International Handicap, held as part of the Saudi Cup 2026 weekend at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh.
Sovereign Spirit was classified fourth overall amongst a high-quality, 14-horse field in the 2,100-metre race, which featured three other Bahraini contenders.
The six-year-old gelding was ridden by jockey Connor Beasley for owners Al Afoo Racing and Jaber Ramadhan, finishing narrowly behind winner Gran Descans.
Sovereign Spirit’s connections thus came away with $25,000 in winnings.
Amongst the other horses representing Bahrain, Bleak finished ninth for Abdulla Fawzi Nass, Fawzi Nass, and Irad Ortiz Jr; Salamanca Lad came 10th Afoo and Ramadhan with Hollie Doyle in the saddle; and Tawaareq was 12th for Victorious Forever, Fawzi Nass, and Stephane Ladjadj.
A fourth Bahraini horse will be competing in the Saudi Cup with Phantom Flight going for the Neom Cup.
The Victorious Forever-owned challenger, trained by George Scott, will be ridden by Callum Shepherd in the prestigious Group One race, scheduled for a 7.10pm start, Bahrain time, and offering a whopping $3million in total prize money.
The Saudi Cup 2026 features the world’s finest thoroughbreds and jockeys who battle for prize money of over $39.6million.
The weekend is headlined by the Group One Saudi Cup, dubbed as the world’s richest race, where $20million is to be won.
It will be held as this evening’s feature event, scheduled for an 8.40pm start, Bahrain time, with 14 runners from all over the world competing across 1,800m.
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