HORSERACING – SPIRIT Dancer and jockey Oisin Orr lit up the sixth running of the $1 million Bahrain International Trophy last night as the gelding made history under a desert night sky, becoming the first dual winner of the kingdom’s most valuable race.
The historic victory made for another special occasion for Spirit Dancer’s owner breeder Sir Alex Ferguson, who was again on hand to welcome his winner with co-owner Ged Mason.
It was also a masterful feat of training by Richard Fahey, who had nurtured the horse back to his best after picking up an injury in March.
Deputy King His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa was on hand to present the Bahrain International Trophy to the winning connections.
This year’s running of the Bahrain International Trophy was the first to be held under the newly installed floodlights at Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club (REHC) in Sakhir.
The Group Two race attracted a truly international field and produced a thrilling contest as Spirit Dancer, coming out the same stall 11 as last year, once again came with a strong run down the outside, this time to overcome eventual runner-up Lead Artist.
As well as attracting runners from six different racing jurisdictions, this year’s Bahrain International Trophy was broadcast around the world to a record number 25 broadcasters, of which 20 showed the race live.
Isa Bin Salman Education Charitable Trust board of trustees chairman, Labour Fund (Tamkeen) chairman, and REHC chairman Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa commented: “Congratulations to owners Sir Alex Ferguson and Ged Mason, and trainer Richard Fahey and jockey Oisin Orr following Spirit Dancer’s history making victory in the 2024 Bahrain International Trophy.
“With the introduction of floodlights this year, it was the first time the Bahrain International Trophy has been run at night and the combination of a high-quality field and the excitement of racing under the lights produced a thrilling race.
“Arguably it was the best race ever held in the kingdom, and I hope the international audience watching around the world enjoyed the spectacle as much as those attending on-course.
“We are very proud of how the Bahrain International Trophy has developed and the anticipation and interest before this year’s race was the highest it has ever been. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the international participants who have supported the race and contributed to enhancing the profile of racing in Bahrain.
“I would also like to thank our commercial partners and stakeholders, without whom the progress we have made would not have been possible.
“We are already looking forward to 2025 and building further on the progress made this year.”
For 82-year-old Sir Alex, it was another special day. Speaking after the race, he said: “This is unbelievable. I don’t know where he got it from. And what a ride by Oisin. He must have had four lengths to make up on the leader and I’m really proud of him as he sat motionless, he did not panic.”
Mason added: “Spirit Dancer loves it here. You think lightning won’t strike twice but it has today.
“It’s wonderful for Richard Fahey and the team back home, it’s a credit to them to get the horse back after injury. And I am so happy for this fella (Sir Alex), who bred him.
“Last year, it was a bit of tonic for him after he sadly lost Lady Kathy and Sir Alex said she rode Spirit Dancer that time and she was on board again tonight.”
In second place was Lead Artist, ridden by Kieran Shoemark and the fourth time John and Thady Gosden have trained the runner-up in the Bahrain International Trophy, while third was Calif, owned by Victorious Racing and trained in France by Carlos and Yann Lerner.
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