Designed to attract international competition and to raise the profile of horseracing in Bahrain, the series runs from December through to February, providing opportunities for internationally trained runners rated 85-100 to compete against local Bahrain based horses.

In total, the series comprises of ten races, five in each division, sprint and middle-distance, with each race worth $80,000 and bonus prizes for the horses accumulating most points in their respective division.

The 2023-24 series attracted a record number of international runners, including horses from Group 1 winning trainers Hugo Palmer, John and Sean Quinn and George Scott.

Trainer Hugo Palmer:

“This is the second time I have had runners in the Bahrain Turf Series and it’s clear that the Bahrain Turf Club is making giant strides. They are committed to improving everything from the training facilities to the race programme.”

“The prize money in the series is excellent but consequently the races are competitive. With the right horse, you will have a lot of fun and the trip will be very worthwhile.

“My owners have absolutely loved it when they have gone to watch their horses run in Bahrain.”

Trainer John Quinn:

“The Bahrain Turf Club have made it very appealing for people to bring horses here. There is great prize money and we thought if we had suitable horses we’d come.”

Trainer Sean Quinn:

“The racetrack has been in good condition throughout. Given the climate it must be hard to keep the turf track in such good nick but the watering system is excellent.

“The racing in the Bahrain Turf Series is competitive, but the prize money warrants it and our owners have really enjoyed their visits to Bahrain.”

Trainer George Scott:

“The facilities for the horses are excellent, the barns are great and the training tracks have got better and better, you can use the grass or the synthetics. It’s a great place to train.”

“My staff have loved it; it has been a great experience for them. A really wonderful set up.”

“The prize money in the Bahrain Turf Series is fantastic, but it is not easy to win. But another plus is that there are options outside of the Bahrain Turf Series, you can run your horse in the domestic programme too.”

“I thoroughly recommend everyone to come and try it.”

Case studies

Brazen Bolt:

Trained by John and Sean Quinn, the 7-year-old sprinter Brazen Bolt won more prize money in four starts (x1 win, x3 places) in the Bahrain Turf Series (£67,726) than he did from a total of 32 races in the UK (£66,981, including x4 wins).

And that does not include the $40,000 bonus prize Brazen Bolt won for accumulating the most points in the sprint division of the Bahrain Turf Series, with $25,000 of that going to owner breeder Peter Furr.

Isle Of Jura:

Trained by George Scott, Isle Of Jura arrived in Bahrain in December as a relatively lightly raced 3-year-old and graduated from running in the Bahrain Turf Series to winning in pattern company, taking the prestigious Listed Crown Prince’s Cup. From an opening handicap rating of 97, in his first three runs in Bahrain, Isle Of Jura won over £120,000 in prize money.