HORSERACING – Bradsell claimed a sensational victory yesterday in a top-tier international horserace in the UK for Bahrain’s Victorious Racing, owned by His Majesty King Hamad’s representative for humanitarian work and youth affairs and Supreme Council for Youth and Sport chairman Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
The Archie Watson-trained four-year-old, ridden by British jockey Hollie Doyle, outclassed a high-quality field to win the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes (Group One) at York Racecourse. It was the second triumph this month for the four-year-old, who won a Listed race in Deauville, France, in his first outing since suffering an injury earlier this year.
Bradsell and Doyle powered to the lead with two furlongs to go in the five-furlong race, and held on until the finish to overcome late challenges from Believing, Starlust, and Asfoora.
“Wow, he’s unbelievable,” Doyle was quoted as saying to Racing Post, as she expressed her amazement in Bradsell’s return from what was a second significant injury in his career. “He’s the comeback kid and all credit to Archie and the team at home as they’ve done an unbelievable job with him,” Doyle continued.
“I remember getting that phone call that night when he got injured and he said it could be career-ending, which you never want to hear, but here we are.
“Never underestimate what Archie does with his horses, he always seems to prove me wrong.”
Watson added: “It’s pretty incredible to be honest, a lot of hard work’s gone into this horse. He suffered a fracture in early February and had surgery on a cannon bone, so his comeback was less than six months later. It’s been unreal. He’s an incredibly special horse, you know.”
Bradsell took first place by three-quarters-of-a-length ahead of runner-up Believing, competing for owners Highclere T’Bred Racing-Jane Addams, trainer George Boughey, and jockey Ryan Moore. Starlust was third racing for Mrs Fitri Hay, Ralph Beckett, and Rossa Ryan. There were 12 runners in all in the race.
On the occasion of Bradsell’s win, Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club (REHC) chairman Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa congratulated Shaikh Nasser.
Shaikh Isa stressed that the unwavering support received from His Majesty and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, has contributed to furthering Bahrain’s sporting reputation in various regional and international competitions.
Meanwhile, at Hamilton Park racecourse, also in the UK, Military Academy claimed a fine victory for owners REHC honorary president Shaikh Abdulla bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa and Shaikh Isa. The John and Thady Gosden-trained three-year-old, ridden by Robert Havlin, took first place in the Darley EBF Novice Stakes, held over 11 furlongs.
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