Mosse masterful as Parlando triumphs

TDT | Manama                                                      

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

In a ride that saw Melbourne Cup and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe-winning jockey Gerald Mosse at the peak of his powers, Parlando produced a career best performance to win the Vision 2030 by Beyon, held yesterday as part of the 2023/2024 Bahrain Turf Series finale at Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club (REHC).

In doing so, Parlando also landed the series’ $40,000 bonus prize.

In attendance during yesterday’s events were His Majesty the King’s humanitarian work and youth affairs representative and Supreme Council for Youth and Sports (SCYS) chairman His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa; REHC High Committee chairman His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa; and Supreme Council for Environment vice-president, REHC High Committee deputy chairman and SCYS member His Highness Shaikh Faisal bin Rashid bin Isa Al Khalifa.

One of the record number of international horses competing in this season’s Bahrain Turf Series, Ian Williams-trained Parlando arrived late on the scene to snatch victory from under the nose of the valiant Box To Box in the 2,000m race and the overall series.

The pair ended the series tied on 28 points in the middle-distance division, but by virtue of securing the win yesterday, the $40,000 bonus prize went to Parlando’s connections.

Parlando was bought out of Godolphin’s yard a year ago and his win in the Vision 2030 event was a first success since his racecourse debut in the UK in 2021.

However, he has been a model of consistency for Williams and had accumulated enough points over the course of the Bahrain Turf Series to be within striking distance, if he could win yesterday and score the maximum 15 points.

Swoop

Under a beautiful, patient ride from Mosse, Parlando was held up before swooping late down the outside to deny Box To Box, who was ridden by Jason Hart for trainer Hugo Palmer.

It was Box To Box’s third placed effort in the series from four runs. Mosse, who has been in great form in Bahrain all season, said of Parlando: “I had ridden the horse once before so I knew him.

He travelled really nice and I was biding my time as I knew he would finish well. If you ride him too close to the pace, he will do too much, today he was relaxed behind and when I pressed the button, he was ready to answer.”

Harvey Williams, assistant to and son of trainer Ian Williams, added: “We’re so happy with that result, really delighted. And to have won the Bahrain Turf Series bonus prize is great news.

We will definitely be back next year!” The overall winner of the sprint division of the Bahrain Turf Series was Brazen Bolt, trained by John and Sean Quinn.

The gelding had accumulated an unassailable lead going into yesterday’s final round and finished the series on 41 points.

However, it was Brazen Bolt’s stable companion, JM Jungle, who’s turn it was to shine and claim the Al Sakhir Cup, sponsored by Alba, the concluding round in the sprint division.

JM Jungle showed blistering speed in a rapid 1,000m race to score readily under Hart, leading a clean sweep for the international horses, with Thunder Moor, for Callum Shepherd and George Boughey, in second, and Roman Dragon, for Kieran Shoemark and Hugo Palmer, back in third. Speaking after the race, joint-licence holder Sean Quinn said: “That was a very good performance, but not a huge surprise.

JM Jungle was a horse good enough to win at Glorious Goodwood last year so he has high-class form. “And Brazen Bolt has run another good race to finish sixth. The handicapper has understandably put him up for his successes.

It’s been a fantastic winter and thank you to everybody associated with the Bahrain Turf Club, we have thoroughly enjoyed it.” Running from December last year through to this month, the Bahrain Turf Series provided opportunities for internationally trained runners rated 85 to 100 to compete against local, Bahrain-based horses.

There were five races in each division, sprint and middle-distance, with each race worth $80,000 and a bonus prize for the horse accumulating most points in its respective division