HORSERACING – TRAINING programmes inside and outside of Bahrain are essential to develop and qualify national talent in horseracing, Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club (REHC) High Committee member and CEO Yusuf Buheji has highlighted.
Such programmes are part of the continued support and commitment of the REHC High Committee, led by Prime Minister’s Court Minister and REHC High Committee chairman Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Buheji added.
His comments came during his visit, accompanied by several REHC High Committee members, to the British Racing School in the UK, as part of REHC’s participation in the July Festival at Newmarket Racecourse.
Buheji noted that such training programmes form part of REHC’s efforts to provide the necessary environment and resources to enhance Bahraini jockeys’ capabilities and refine their skills in accordance with the highest technical standards, while also encouraging greater participation amongst Bahraini youth in the sport.
During the visit, the two sides confirmed the renewal of their co-operation agreement. The deal was signed by REHC Jockey Foundation director Mohammed Ahmed Al Nemah and the British Racing School CEO Andrew Braithwaite.
The agreement aims to continue co-operation between the Bahrain Jockey Academy (BJA) and the British Racing School in organising joint training programmes, while benefiting from the school’s technical and advisory expertise, supporting and further developing the training programmes organised annually by the BJA.
The visit also included a meeting between Buheji and the Bahraini jockeys participating in the training programme currently being held in the UK. He was briefed on their progress, which builds on the first phase of the comprehensive programme held in the kingdom.
Buheji urged the jockeys to make the most of the training programme to refine their skills and further develop their capabilities, in line with REHC’s efforts to build a strong group of Bahraini riders capable of competing at the international level.
Buheji highlighted that the expansion of the 2026 training programmes for more Bahraini jockeys, including apprentice and emerging jockeys, came as a result of the positive outcomes achieved since the programme’s launch in 2024. Those outcomes have been reflected in the improved performances of Bahrain’s emerging jockeys in competition.
Al Nemah said that this year’s training programme has been expanded in line with the foundation’s vision to enhance the capabilities and skills of Bahraini jockeys and enable them to gain broader experience. This is achieved through participation in the ‘International Professionals’ programme, which is designed to support elite Bahraini jockeys, and the ‘International Future Jockeys’ programme, dedicated to apprentice and emerging jockeys selected based on their outstanding performance in the local programme held at BJA.
Al Nemah added that the training programme, currently underway at the British Racing School, includes training with some of the world’s leading trainers and jockeys through theoretical and practical sessions under the supervision of specialist instructors. The programme also provides jockeys with the opportunity to compete in a number of local races, maximising the experience.
Buheji, sixth from right, alongside other officials and some of the Bahraini jockeys during their visit to the British Racing School in the UK
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