Golden Season Takes Shape

REHC adds $400,000 Bahrain Long Distance Cup as club marks 50th anniversary

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club (REHC) has announced a new addition to Bahrain International Trophy race day: the Bahrain Long Distance Cup, an open handicap worth $400,000 to be run over 14 furlongs (2,800m).

The race is designed to attract top staying horses from around the world, broadening the international appeal of the Trophy programme and giving long-distance specialists a dedicated stage on Bahrain's biggest racing card.

The new cup forms part of the eighth running of the Bahrain International Trophy, now elevated to Group 1 status — the first race of that calibre to be held in the Kingdom. The expanded race day will be held on November 13, 2026, and will feature two races for the first time, anchored by the new long-distance event.

The addition comes as REHC marks 50 years since its 1977 founding, a milestone reflecting decades of growth under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the guidance of His Royal Highness Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. The club has cemented Bahrain's standing on the regional and international racing map, most notably with the Trophy's recent Group 1 elevation.

Yusuf Osama Buheji, a member and the acting Chief Executive Officer of the REHC, said the anniversary marks a historic milestone built on achievements under the leadership of Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who chairs the club's Higher Authority. He pledged continued progress in raising organizational and competitive standards next season.

The 2026/2027 calendar features 30 races starting October 30, 2026, including the King's Cup Festival (March 4-5, 2027) and the Crown Prince's Cup Festival (January 28-29, 2027), concluding April 16, 2027. The Bahrain International Championship grows to 14 races, while the "Stars of the Future" series returns for local breeding. A full calendar of festivals and entertainment will accompany the season, marked by a special golden jubilee visual identity.