HORSERACING – THE kingdom’s biggest horseracing event takes place today with the $1 million Bahrain International Trophy at Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club (REHC) in Sakhir.
Twelve world-class runners from all over the world – including from Britain, Ireland, France, Japan, the UAE, and Bahrain – will be lining up along the start gates for a fierce battle across 1m2f (2,000m).
The race is scheduled to get underway at 7.35pm and it will be held for the first time ever at night under REHC’s new floodlights.
Richard Fahey, trainer of last year’s winner Spirit Dancer – co-owned by legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who was at the track yesterday – is upbeat as they got for a second straight victory with jockey Oisin Orr in the saddle.
“We are quietly calm; it was a little bit anxious last year, we didn’t have a great trip over and there was a slight question mark whether he’d run or not, but this year he has travelled well,” Fahey told the GDN.
“He’s eating, drinking, and doing everything right, and he’s shown a liking to the course, so now we’re happy and we’re in a good place.
“He had a long year last year – a full season in England and then a Middle Eastern trip, so he deserved a long break and we gave it to him.
“I know he is a seven-year-old and he has matured and strengthened up again. He’s a bigger horse this year and he’s been a very late maturing horse. We’re coming here fresh and I’m looking forward to the race.”
At Wednesday’s post-position draw, Spirit Dancer was drawn in the same starting gate from which he won last year’s event.
“It’s incredible!” said Fahey of the draw result. “Last year, we were disappointed when we got stall 11 – they were saying that it’s not where you want to be. But this year, I’m quite happy with it.”
Meanwhile, Yann Lerner, trainer of Calif, the five-year-old competing for Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa’s Victorious Racing, is excited to be running a local contender in front of home fans.
“It’s very special to be competitive with a local runner,” Lerner told the GDN. “We hope the horse will give a lot of pleasure to the people. I know the horse is in good form, and I hope he will have a good race to give all his potential.”
Of Calif’s draw result, Lerner added: “We were very lucky to draw six – the horse is in the middle and he will have a few options to give a good race.”
Today’s Bahrain International Trophy headlines an exciting eight-race card at REHC. The seven other events feature trophies of the main race’s sponsors. They include the World Arabian Horse Organisation Cup with $14,000 in prize money for the top four finishers, the Lexus Cup with $14,000 in prize money, the Bapco Energies Cup with $30,000 in prize money, the Gulf Air Cup with $14,000 in prizes, the Beyon Cup with $16,000 on offer, the Economic Development Board Cup with $30,000 for the taking for winners, and the Grand Seiko-Bahrain Jewellery Centre Cup with $40,000 in prize money.
To purchase tickets to attend today’s events, visit bahrainturfclub.com.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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