The second Bahrain International Trophy officially presented its Post Position Draw (PPD) at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay with Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa in attendance.
Yesterday’s PPD involved a random selection process to determine which position each horse will take in the starting gates of tomorrow’s showpiece international horserace in the kingdom.
Although it is preferable to draw low rather than high; the 2,000m (10 furlong) distance of the outing means it will be anyone’s race, due to the significant run to the first bend.
Adrian Beaumont, director of International Racing Bureau (IRB), said, “Everyone is very excited and the PPD starts to get the pulse racing. We can’t wait for Friday.”
Preparations are also in full swing to prepare the track for the race, which is open to 14 runners over 2,000 metres at the Rashid Equestrian Horse Racing Club (REHC).
The race, which is sponsored by Batelco, Bapco and the Economic Development Board, will commence at 4pm with global media covering the prestigious event with live coverage for race fans.
REHC executive director Shaikh Salman bin Rashid Al Khalifa told the GDN earlier that this year’s edition had extra precautionary measures implemented as the world continues to battle Covid-19 with the race having to be held behind closed doors.
The Bahrain International Trophy, however, will enjoy local and worldwide television exposure tomorrow. “The Bahrain International Trophy, in only its second year, has attracted some of the biggest broadcasters in the world, including the likes of Fox Sports, ESPN and SuperSport, who are taking the race-day for the first time,” added Shaikh Salman.
“We are delighted with the international interest generated by our media partners, Racecourse Media Group.”
The £500,000 contest has attracted 14 runners from five countries including five Group 1 winners headlined by 2019 Irish Derby hero Sovereign and Japanese super mare Deirdre. The race, which also sees a strong local contingent, is due off at 4pm.
Racecourse Media Group (RMG), working with the REHC, has secured widespread global coverage of the event, headlined by Fox Sports in the US, ESPN in Latin America and Caribbean, and SuperSport in Africa. RMG is also ‘delighted’ to be working with Bahrain TV in co-producing the live one-hour world feed programme.
Shaikh Isa with guests and officials.
Seb Vance, director of communications and international TV distribution, said, “We’re honoured to be working with the Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club again and absolutely delighted with the international interest from broadcasters.
“The race looks like being a fantastic contest and racing in Bahrain is clearly resonating around the world.”
In addition to ESPN, the Caribbean will be served by SportsMax and viewers in South Africa will watch the race via Tellytrack. Seventeen countries in the Middle East and North Africa will have access to the race through the Dubai Racing Channel and Bahrain TV, while the Green Channel will show a recording of the one-hour programme to its Japanese audience.
Live coverage will be taken by RMG’s TV channel, Racing TV, and Sky Sports Racing, in the UK and Ireland, while ITV, the UK’s biggest commercial broadcast, will feature the race in its popular Saturday programming.
Other broadcasters taking live coverage in Europe include Sport Deutschland (Germany) and SilkNet (Georgia), while Equidia (France) and TV12 (Sweden) will feature the best of the action. Racing.com and Sky Thoroughbred Central will be showcasing the racing in Australia.