HORSERACING – Eight world-class horses are set to line up tomorrow in one of horseracing’s most iconic events, sponsored by the kingdom.
The Group One Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes is set to take place at Leopardstown Racecourse in Ireland featuring a star-studded field.
They will be battling it out over 10 furlongs for a share of the staggering EUR1.25million total prize.
The race is scheduled for a 7pm start, Bahrain time, and it will be a part of the Irish Champions Festival.
It will also mark the culmination of this year’s Dublin to Bahrain Race Series, which is in its fourth edition.
Spearheading the line-up of contenders in tomorrow’s high-profile event is Wimbledon Hawkeye, owned by Bahrain’s Victorious Forever and trained by George Scott, to be ridden by jockey Christophe Soumillon.
The four-year-old bay colt will be looking to continue the fine international season for the Victorious Forever stable, which is owned by His Majesty King Hamad’s humanitarian works and youth affairs representative, Supreme Council for Youth and Sports chairman, and Bahrain Royal Endurance Team captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
Also part of tomorrow’s field are five-year-old Almaqam, owned by Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum, trained by Ed Walker, and to be ridden by Kieran Shoemark; four-year-old Hotazhell, racing for Silverton Hill Partnership and Mrs John Harrington, with Shane Foley in the saddle; four-year-old Lambourn, competing for owners Mrs John Magnier/Michael Tabor/Derrick Smith, trainer Aidan O’Brien, and jockey Declan McDonogh; three-year-old A Boy Named Susie, racing for Ana O’Brien, Donnacha Aidan O’Brien, and Oisin Murphy; three-year-old Constitution River, competing for owners M Tabor/D Smith/Mrs J Magnier/Westerberg and trainer Aidan O’Brien, with jockey Ryan Moore in the saddle; three-year-old Hawk Mountain, competing for Derrick Smith/Mrs John Magnier/Micahel Tabor, Aidan O’Brien, and Pierre-Charles Boudot; and three-year-old Item, owned by Juddmonte and trained by Andrew Balding, with Colin Keane set for the ride.
This year’s Dublin to Bahrain Race Series featured four handicap races held in July and August leading up to the Group One Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes.
Loughrea won the 0-90 Dublin to Bahrain Handicap, competing for owner Mrs C Holohan and trainer Andrew Slattery, whose son Andrew Joseph Slattery was the jockey; Dark Viper triumphed in the Dublin to Bahrain Race Series Handicap racing for Dan Kiely, Mrs John Harrington, and Shane Foley; Isaac Newton secured the Group Three Bahrain Turf Club Desmond Stakes, racing for Derrick Smith/Mrs John Magnier/Michael Tabor/Westerberg, Aidan O’Brien, Ryan Moore; and Tachos emerged victorious in the Dublin to Bahrain Fillies Handicap, competing for owner Calvin G Ryan and trainer D K Weld, while ridden by jockey Chris Hayes.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
A delegation from Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club (REHC) travelled to Ireland for tomorrow’s Group One Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown Racecourse.
As part of their itinerary, the REHC team toured some of Ireland’s leading racing yards, including those of JP Murtagh, Willie Mullins, and Jessica Harrington, gaining insight into their facilities and approaches.
The tour provided an opportunity to gain first-hand understanding into the experience and practices of some of the leading names in Irish horseracing, while learning more about racehorse training, preparation, and stable management, and exchanging knowledge and views on areas of mutual interest within equestrian sport and horseracing.
REHC officials with world-renowned trainer and former jockey Murtagh, third from left, at his racing yard
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