Horses arrive for Bahrain International Trophy

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Preparations are in full swing at Rashid Equestrian Horse Racing Club (REHC) for the second Bahrain International trophy, which is scheduled to take place on Friday.

The horses arrived early yesterday morning and are resting comfortably at the REHC stables after their long journey to the Kingdom and will begin exercise sessions this morning.

“We are all looking forward to the racing on Friday,” said REHC executive director Shaikh Salman bin Rashed Al Khalifa.

“The team at quarantine, customs and the Ministry of Interior has been excellent in facilitating the safe arrival and transportation of the horses. The government guidelines are very clear and the trainers, teams and jockeys are happy to comply.

“Last year we reached over 60 countries and look forward to reaching even more enthusiasts across the globe. It’s anyone’s guess who will come out a winner; all are excellent champion horses with a great deal of experience and under globally recognised trainers and jockeys.”
John Gosden saw Turgenev finish second in the inaugural race in November 2019 and will be hoping to go one better with Global Giant, who will be ridden by Frankie Dettori for owner His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa.

Japanese mare Deirdre (Mitsuru Hashida), whose big wins include last year’s Nassau Stakes at Glorious Goodwood head the group one winners.

Aidan O’Brien is set to saddle 2019 Irish Derby hero Sovereign supplemented by the Coolmore team and last year’s Queen Anne Stakes winner Lord Glitters represents David O’Meara, dual Canadian International Stakes winner Desert Encounter runs for David Simcock – and Saeed bin Suroor calls on 2019 Jebel Hatta victor Dream Castle, a G1 winner in Dubai for Godolphin.

Also in this incredible line- up is Desert Encounter. Andrew Balding and King Power Racing were sixth with Pivoine in 2019 and are back this year with Bangkok, while Lady Wannabe (Fozzy Stack), Certain Lad (Mick Channon) complete the European challenge.

Another contender is dual group two dual scorers Loxley (Charlie Appleby/ William Buick), who recorded a decisive victory in the UK earlier this month.

Four spots in the field are guaranteed for Bahraini-based contenders and are confirmed as Port Lions, Simsir (Fawzi Naas), What A Welcome (Hesham Al Haddad) and Coolagh Forest (Haider Ebrahim).

Batelco, Bapco and the Economic Development Board sponsor the Bahrain International Trophy.