Gulf of Bahrain Cup Draws 62 Entries
Sixty-two horses from eight racing nations have been entered for the inaugural Gulf of Bahrain Cup, which will debut at the Rashid Equestrian & Horseracing Club next month.
The open handicap will run over 2,800 metres on November 13, carrying prize money of $400,000 and forming part of the same racecard as the Bahrain International Trophy.
Its introduction coincides with the Bahrain International Trophy’s promotion to Group 1 status; the two races are expected to attract a strong international field to the kingdom.
Ireland provides the largest contingent with 20 entries, while trainer Willie Mullins leads the individual tally with seven horses. Fellow Irish trainer Joseph O’Brien has six.
Among the leading names is Dubai Future, winner of the 2022 Bahrain International Trophy and one of several Stakes performers entered for the new race.
The 10-year-old, owned by Godolphin and trained by Saeed bin Suroor, has remained competitive this year, winning at Group 3 level and earning a Group 1 placing.
Dubai Future has been allocated 60kg following yesterday’s publication of the weights, making him joint fourth top-weight alongside Al Qareem.
Trained by Karl Burke, Al Qareem has won 10 Stakes races during his career and has proven form over the 2,800m distance.
Paddy The Squire and Tarriance are among those further down the weights, both allocated 56kg.
Scottish-based trainer Iain Jardine is targeting the race with Paddy The Squire after the gelding was narrowly beaten in a competitive handicap at Newbury last month.
Four-year-old Tarriance, meanwhile, has joined Daniel and Claire Kubler and will race in the colours of Bahrain’s Al Adiyat Racing. Previously trained by Andrew Balding, he won last year’s Melrose Handicap at York over 2,800m.
A maximum field of 14 will contest the Gulf of Bahrain Cup, with the top weight set at 62kg and no horse carrying less than 54kg.
Three-year-olds will receive a 3kg weight-for-age allowance, while horses winning after the handicap publication may receive penalties of up to 2kg at the discretion of the Bahrain Turf Club handicapper.
