HORSERACING – SEE The Fire secured an invitation to run in Bahrain’s most valuable race, the $1million Bahrain International Trophy scheduled for November 15, after winning yesterday the Sky Bet Strensall Stakes at York Racecourse in the UK.
If taking up the invitation, See The Fire will be taking the same route as that of Spirit Dancer, who followed up success in the Sky Bet Strensall Stakes with a memorable victory in the 2023 Bahrain International Trophy.
Given a beautifully patient ride by Oisin Murphy, See The Fire weaved her way through the nine-runner field to win a highly competitive renewal of the Group Three race from Phantom Flight in second, owned by Victorious Racing, and Checkandchallenge back in third.
See The Fire is by the leading sire Sea The Stars out of Arabian Queen, themselves both previous winners of the Juddmonte International, so the filly was maintaining a family tradition by winning at York’s Sky Bet Ebor Festival.
Speaking after the race, trainer Andrew Balding said: “We’ve always thought the world of this filly, she’s beautiful to look at and has always worked well. I’m delighted for Jeff Smith and everyone at Littleton Stud, as these owner-breeders are so important and to get sent horses of this calibre is special.”
Winning jockey Murphy said: “She travelled sweetly, it was a sprint from early in the straight and she saw out the last furlong strongly. She’s a homebred out of Arabian Queen and I am delighted, hopefully she can go on to bigger and better things.”
Runner-up Phantom Flight continued the good form of horses running in the colours of Victorious Racing following the Group One victory of Bradsell at York on Friday. Trained by George Scott and ridden by Callum Shepherd, Phantom Flight represents the same connections as Isle Of Jura, who enjoyed great success in Bahrain last season and the improving five-year-old may well seek to follow a similar path.
York Racecourse chief executive William Derby commented: “We are very proud that York’s Sky Bet Ebor Festival has acquired a profile on the international stage befitting a global racing carnival.“In part, this is due to the work we have done with racing clubs around the world, putting on bonuses and providing automatic invites. Consequently, the meeting has become a springboard for the best horses in Europe to go and compete in major races abroad.
“The Sky Bet Strensall Stakes is a case in point. Through our partnership with the Bahrain Turf Club, the winner secures an automatic invite to the $1m Bahrain International Trophy and the opportunity to follow in the hoofprints of last year’s Strensall victor, Spirit Dancer, who went on to win Bahrain’s most valuable race.”
Last year, the Bahrain Turf Club announced exciting changes to the Bahrain International Trophy, with the news that the race’s prize fund had been increased to $1m and the race’s status upgraded to Group Two level. The resulting race produced a high-class field with Spirit Dancer, trained by Richard Fahey and ridden by Oisin Orr, victorious from Israr with Point Lonsdale in third.
The 2024 running of the event will take place on November 15 at Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club, with entries for the 1m2f (2,000m) race closing on October 2.
In addition to staging the Bahrain International Trophy, this coming season in Bahrain sees an expansion of the Bahrain Turf Series and the introduction of racing under floodlights.
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