The Bahrain Turf Club yesterday (Thursday 11 July) marked the launch of their 2024-25 season by hosting a range of guests and sponsoring three prestigious races on the opening day of Newmarket’s July Festival.

With His Highness Shaikh Isa Bin Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Bahrain Turf Club, in attendance, guests on the day included Sir Alex Ferguson, with his co-owner Ged Mason. The pair enjoyed a successful visit to Bahrain in November when their horse, Spirit Dancer, won the $1million Bahrain International Trophy (Group 2).

The Kingdom of Bahrain is the longest standing sponsor at Newmarket’s July Festival having supported the Bahrain Trophy since 1991. In 2023 the Princess of Wales’s Stakes (Sponsored by the Kingdom of Bahrain) and the Kingdom of Bahrain July Stakes were added to the portfolio as part of a new multi-year agreement.

Shaikh Salman bin Rashed Al Khalifa, Bahrain Turf Club High Committee Representative, International Racing, said:

“This day at Newmarket, with the Kingdom’s sponsorship of three key races, represents a great opportunity to launch our international calendar for 2024-25.

“Last season was a memorable one, not least because of the victory of Spirit Dancer in the Bahrain International Trophy. That was a wonderful result for connections of the horse and for the race itself. Year after year we have seen the quality of horses improve, not only for the Bahrain International Trophy, but also among those horses trained in Bahrain and those that travel out to compete in the Bahrain Turf Series.

“Next season the Bahrain Turf Series will start on 20^th December and run through until early March. We have added two races to the series, so there are now 12 races in all. The two new races are each worth $100,000, bringing the overall value of the Bahrain Turf Series to $1million.

“It’s an amazing opportunity for trainers to come and be part of the Bahrain Turf Series and enjoy the Kingdom’s hospitality. Furthermore, we have expanded the turf series programme to include all the premier races from the second half of the season, notably HRH The Crown Prince’s Cup and HM The King’s Cup.”

The extension of the Bahrain Turf Series makes it easier for horses to follow the path taken by last season’s break-out star, Isle Of Jura, who graduated from Bahrain Turf Series handicaps to pattern races when winning The Crown Prince’s Cup and The King’s Cup. In addition, the introduction of floodlit racing next season will provide more flexibility and enable the season to continue uninterrupted during Ramadan.

Newmarket Racecourse celebrated an increase in attendance for the opening day and the large crowd witnessed top-class racing with exciting finishes. Among the highlights was the victory of Giavellotto in the Group 2 Princess of Wales’s Stakes (Sponsored by the Kingdom of Bahrain).

Following the race, the trophy was presented by His Highness Shaikh Isa Bin Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Bahrain Turf Club, to Giavellotto’s Italian owners, trainer Marco Botti and winning jockey, Oisin Murphy.

Among an illustrious list of guests in attendance were representatives from the Bahrain Economic Development Board and Bahrain’s UK Embassy, together with several commercial partners of the Bahrain Turf Club and senior figures from British racing and around the world.

Yusuf Buheji, CEO of the Bahrain Turf Club said:

“Our thanks and congratulations to Newmarket Racecourse for hosting a wonderful afternoon of sport. We enjoy working with Newmarket and The Jockey Club and look forward to further developing this day over the coming years.

“I would also like to thank the Bahrain Economic Development Board for their ongoing help and support with our international partnerships. It was a great pleasure to enjoy the racing with their team and guests on the July Course. It is a beautiful setting from which to launch our upcoming season.”