With travel plans now in-place, the likely line-up for this year’s running of the Bahrain International Trophy looks set to be the strongest in the race’s five-year history. The field includes participants from five different countries, with six of the intended runners already winners of either Group 1 or Group 2 races.

The 2023 running of the $1M Bahrain International Trophy takes place on 17^th November at the Rashid Equestrian & Horseracing Club. This year’s renewal is more valuable than ever following an increase in the race’s value to $1M and the race’s status being upgraded to Group 2 level.

Among the contingent of British trained horses coming to Bahrain is Israr. Trained by father and son combination, John and Thady Gosden, the four-year-old colt runs in the colours of Shadwell Estate, who were recently crowned Champion Owners in the United Kingdom.

Israr’s contribution to Shadwell’s championship winning season included victory in the Group 2 Princess of Wales’s Stakes (sponsored by The Kingdom of Bahrain) at Newmarket in July, when he beat the former Derby winner, Adayar. Connections are hoping to upset another highly rated Godolphin owned horse in the Bahrain International Trophy when they take on three-time Group 1 winner, Nation’s Pride.

John Gosden, co-trainer of Israr, said:

“We are confident Israr will run a really nice race over the mile and a quarter, it’s a very competitive field but so it should be. It’s an exciting, lovely race, well timed in the calendar and the prize money has been increased so that makes it even more attractive. We’ve been second in it, so we are itching to win it one day.”

Commenting on Shadwell’s season, John Gosden added:

“They have had an incredibly successful year. It is huge achievement on the part of everyone at Shadwell to be leading owner and a lot of that success has been down to the older, homebred horses, such as Israr. Since Sheikh Hamdan died, his daughter Sheikha Hissa has taken hold of the operation and her father would be extremely proud of her.”

Also set to fly to Bahrain from the UK are two horses that have shown marked progression throughout the European season. Spirit Dancer, co-owned and bred by former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, booked his ticket with victory in the Group 3 Strensall Stakes at York and he will be joined on the flight by Astro King, trained by husband-and-wife pair Dan and Claire Kubler and winner of the 34-runner Cambridgeshire at Newmarket in September.

Travelling from Ireland will be Above The Curve (trained by Joseph O’Brien), Point Lonsdale (Aidan O’Brien) and Layfayette (Noel Meade), while France is set to be represented by Birr Castle (Andre Fabre) and French 2000 Guineas winner, Marhaba Ya Sanafi (Andreas Schutz).

As well as Nation’s Pride, the Godolphin challenge will be supplemented by two Saeed Bin Suroor trained horses, the 2022 Bahrain International Trophy winner, Dubai Future, and the Group 1 placed Real World. Nation’s Pride’s trainer, Charlie Appleby is also set to saddle recent Darley Stakes winner, Highland Avenue.

The fourteen-runner field is set to include two locally based horses in Calif and Qaader, both trained by Fawzi Nass.

Yusuf Buheji, CEO, Bahrain Turf Club, said:

“We are very much looking forward to this year’s running of the Bahrain International Trophy. The race has attracted a very competitive field, including horses representing a wide range of countries and connections.

“The Bahrain Turf Club is very grateful for the continued support shown by some of the biggest owners in world horse racing, including Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin operation, who won the race last year. Racing in Bahrain continues to grow thanks to the enthusiasm and passion of owners and we wish all our participants the best of luck for this year’s race.”

Thursday 9^th November