HORSERACING – On an historic day for the kingdom as it staged its first-ever Group One race, it was a case of deja-vu as Royal Champion repeated his success of 2025 to win a second Bahrain International Trophy at Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club (REHC) in Sakhir.
The $1.5 million, 2,000-metre event attracted the finest field ever assembled for a race in Bahrain, but even against the more quality opposition, Royal Champion was too strong at the finish, having travelled powerfully throughout.
In attendance was His Majesty King Hamad’s humanitarian works and youth affairs representative and Supreme Council for Youth and Sports chairman Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
Prime Minister’s Court Minister and REHC High Committee chairman Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa was also on hand, along with Shaikh Mohammed bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and other high-ranking officials. Shaikh Isa presented the Bahrain International Trophy to Royal Champion’s winning connections, including trainer Karl Burke and jockey Clifford Lee.
The runner-up was Zaydann, who stayed on well to take second in the colours of the Aga Khan Studs for trainer Francis-Henri Graffard, with fellow-French raider Baroud in third for the training combination of Andre and Lavinia Fabre.
It was a fine training performance by Burke to bring Royal Champion back to Bahrain in even better form than 12 months ago following a difficult year training the horse.
“When he came back from Hong Kong in the spring, he was pretty sick and we had to give him a lot of time off; I thought I may have made a mistake running him in the summer at York and after that it was stop-start with him,” Burke explained.
“It’s only in the last three or four weeks that I have been happy with him. I didn’t get the chance to take him away for a gallop or anything like that.
“Last year, he came here off the back of a good run in the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes and all we had to do was keep him fresh and well, but I came out early this week to get a little bit of work into him on Tuesday morning.
“All credit to the horse, he’s absolutely bolted up today.
“As for Cliff, I am delighted for him. He had a real tough time last year and he was – no exaggeration to say – millimetres from being dead. He’s a tough lad and has come through a lot. It’s all credit to him. He is a fit, strong lad and a good rider.”
Lee commented: “It’s unbelievable really. I’d like to thank Karl, the boss, for giving me these opportunities and all the team. It’s fantastic.”
Before the 12-runner feature event at REHC last night, the first edition of the Gulf of Bahrain Cup took place.
The 2,800m handicap with a prize fund of $400,000 produced a thrilling race, with Beylerbeyi delivered late by jockey Edward Greatex to deny the gallant top-weight Dubai Future for trainer Saeed bin Suroor.
Tarriance, in the colours of Al Adiyat Racing, finished a close third on his debut run for Daniel and Claire Kubler.
Beylerbeyi was the only UK-trained runner in the 14-horse field and had been well-prepared by trainer Ian Williams as the horse is known to be a character and takes some getting to know.
Speaking after the race, a delighted Williams said: “He’s a talented horse but he will not relax. He won’t settle and it’s a tough job riding him, but he’s come up with some great performances when things go his way – and today things went his way.”
“Was it an easy watch? The last stride it was, but it wasn’t until then. All executed to plan, though maybe not as handy as we wanted to be early on.”
“He had a lot to do turning in, but ultimately, he is a stayer, and that is what he has done. It was a great performance from the horse and a good performance from the jockey as well.”
During last night’s programme, a spectacular drone show lit up the night sky in celebration of REHC’s Golden Jubilee season in 2026-27.
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