HORSERACING – SOVEREIGN Spirit lifted the His Majesty the King’s Cup, sponsored by Bapco Energies, last night on the second night of the His Majesty the King’s Cup Festival, held at Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club (REHC) in Sakhir.
His Majesty King Hamad graciously patronised the event, in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
Also on hand was Isa Bin Salman Education Charitable Trust chairman, Labour Fund (Tamkeen) chairman, and REHC chairman Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
Competing for owners Al Afoo Racing and trainer Jaber Ramadhan, jockey Tomas Lukasek rode Sovereign Spirit to first place in last night’s feature race – a prestigious Group Three event that covered 2,400 metres and offered $200,000 in total prize money.
The five-year-old gelding triumphed by a half-length ahead of runner-up Zagato, competing for Al Mohamediya Racing, Fawzi Nass, and Neil Callan. King Of Conquest finished third for Godolphin, Charlie Appleby, and Richard Mullen; while Phantom Flight was fourth to take the final share of the prize money for Victorious, George Scott, and Callum Shepherd.
Two other His Majesty the King’s Cups were up for grabs on last night’s exciting eight-race card.
Elvogue won the His Majesty the King’s Cup in race four, offering $55,000 in winnings, for Shaikh Isa bin Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa, Kuwaiti, and Abdulrahim Jasim. Elvogue completed the 2,400m distance with a half-length’s gap ahead of Mediterranean Moon, who was on track for M and E Racing, AM Smith, and Lee Newman. California was third for Abdulla Sami Nass, Fawzi Nass, and Harry Davies; while in fourth was Midhaal for Shaikh Isa bin Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa.
A His Majesty the King’s Cup was also on offer in race one, held over 1,600m with $20,000 in prize money.
Tuwaisan 1844 triumphed for owners Al Riffa, trainer Yousif Alboainain, and jockey Ebrahim Nader; finishing ahead of Obeyan 1777, competing for Al Khaldiya, Fawzi Nass, and Stephane Ladjadj. Third was Obeyan 1867, racing for Al Wasmiya, Abdulla Kuwaiti, and Richard Mullen; while fourth was Musannan 1811 for Wasmiya, Kuwaiti, and Adnan Jaffar.
Also last night, the $100,000 Al Methaq Mile took place, with Goemon taking first place for owner Mohammed Khalid Abdulrahim and trainer Haider Ebrahim, with jockey Ebrahim Nader in the saddle. Oliver Show was second for Pompey Ventures 2, George Boughey, and Billy Loughnane; while General Panic was third for Mohammed Abdulhadi Al Hajri, Ibrahim Al Malki, and Lukasek. Army Ethos came fourth for Victorious and Fawzi Nass, Nass, and Ladjadj.
Elsewhere last night, in race six for The Chairman’s Cup by BINAA, offering $40,000 in prize money, Desert Cop won for owners George Baker Racing Bahrain Syndicate, trainer George Baker, and jockey Callum Shepherd.
The Bapco Energies Cup in last night’s eighth and final race, offering $30,000, was claimed by Fanatic, competing for Victorious, Nass, and Davies.
In race two, the REHC Cup with $16,000 in winnings was lifted by Hizaam, racing for Shaikh Salman bin Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa, Kuwaiti, and Abdulrahim Jasim; while in race seven for The Avenues-Bahrain Cup offering $16,000, Zeal delivered first place for the Mohammed Khalid Abdulrahim-Haider Ebrahim-Ebrahim Nader triumvirate.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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