THE Bahrain Turf Club marked the beginning of its new, expanded partnership with Newmarket Racecourse on Thursday by entertaining a wide range of guests on a thrilling opening day to the Boodles July Festival.
Bahrain is the longest standing sponsor at Newmarket’s prestigious July Festival having supported the Bahrain Trophy since its inception in 1991. This year the Princess of Wales’s Stakes (sponsored by the kingdom) and the Kingdom of Bahrain July Stakes were added to the portfolio as part of a new multi-year agreement.
A packed Newmarket crowd witnessed top-class racing with exciting finishes. Among the highlights was the victory of Israr, running in the colours of Shadwell Estate, who overcame the favourite Adayar - winner of the 2021 Derby - in the Group 2 Princess of Wales’s Stakes.
Following the race, a trophy was presented by Bahrain Turf Club chairman Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa to Israr’s owner Shaikha Hissa bint Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Israr was trained by John and Thady Gosden in Newmarket and was ridden by Jim Crowley.
Bahrain Turf Club international racing high committee representative Shaikh Salman bin Rashed Al Khalifa said, “We have seen some wonderful racing in the Bahrain-sponsored races. Our congratulations to all those involved with the three winning horses, including Shaikh Sultan Al Din bin Mohammed bin Salman Al Khalifa who owns Jasour, winner of Kingdom of Bahrain July Stakes.
“We are proud to have become part of the heritage of the July Festival through our long-standing support of the Bahrain Trophy.”
It was recently announced that the value of the Bahrain International Trophy, run in November and the highest profile race held in Bahrain, has been increased to $1 million and the race’s status upgraded to Group 2.
Among an illustrious list of guests in attendance were representatives from the Bahrain Economic Development Board and Bahrain’s UK Embassy, together with several commercial partners of the Bahrain Turf Club and senior figures from British racing and around the world.
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