Two of horseracing’s highest profile owners with footballing backgrounds are aiming to follow in the footstep of Sir Alex Ferguson and enjoy big race success in Bahrain. Both Michael Owen and Harry Redknapp have representatives in the upcoming Bahrain Turf Series, which kicks off on Friday 8^th December at the Rashid Equestrian & Horseracing Club.

Last month, Sir Alex Ferguson travelled to Bahrain to watch Spirit Dancer win the $1m Bahrain International Trophy. Afterwards he described the victory of Spirit Dancer, trained by Richard Fahey for Ferguson and co-owner Ged Mason, as the best moment of his racing life. Now Owen and Redknapp are hoping to enjoy similar outcomes with their runners in the Kingdom.

Running from December through to February, the Bahrain Turf Series provides opportunities for internationally trained runners (rated 85-100) to compete against local Bahrain based horses across ten races. Each race is worth $80,000 with bonus prizes for the horses accumulating most points in the two divisions, sprint and middle distance.

Harry Redknapp’s interests lie with the five-year-old gelding Moktasaab, who has already given the former Spurs and West Ham manager some memorable days on the racecourse, including wins at Newbury and Goodwood. Now in the care of trainer Phil McEntee, Redknapp is hoping Moktasaab can recapture his best form for the Bahrain Turf Series.

Harry Redknapp said: “I am really looking forward to Moktasaab running in Bahrain. The horse has had a nice break since his last run in August and I think, like a lot of us, he will appreciate a bit of winter sunshine. Phil (McEntee) is very pleased with him and we hope he is back on a winning mark, having dropped a few pounds this year.

“I had a runner (Wonder Elzaam) in the first Bahrain Turf Series back in 2021, which was a lot of fun, and we will be heading out to Bahrain during the series to watch Moktasaab run.”

Among Moktasaab’s opponents in the middle-distance division of the Bahrain Turf Series is Box To Box, a four-year-gelding part-owned by former Liverpool and Real Madrid striker, Michael Owen and racing in the colours of The Running Order Partnership. Already the winner of five of his 23 starts, Box To Box boasts some strong form, including finishing runner-up to subsequent Bahrain International Trophy winner Spirit Dancer at York, and he is considered a live contender for the Bahrain Turf Series by trainer, Hugo Palmer.

Hugo Palmer said: “Box To Box arrives off the back of a really good season in England and he has travelled well to Bahrain. Physically the horse thrived in Bahrain last year, but he did his chances no good by being slowly away on a couple of occasions, which is unlike him. If he jumps well, then he has a lot in his favour.

“He is set to meet a couple of his former stable companions, Mr McCann and Chronograph, both of whom are now based in Bahrain, so it will be interesting to see how he gets on against them.”

Palmer also saddles Roman Dragon in the sprint division, co-owned by Michael Owen’s company, Owen Promotions.

Palmer added: “To date, all five of Roman Dragon’s wins have come around Chester’s tight turns, so the straight 1000m will be a slightly different challenge for him, but he will love the fast ground and he is fit and ready to run well. His owners were keen to experience the Bahrain Turf Series having heard good things about it.”

Launched in 2021-22, Friday 8^th December sees the start of the third edition of the ten-race Bahrain Turf Series. The series runs alongside the domestic programme in Bahrain with international horses competing in the series also eligible to run in other Bahrain Turf Club races open to imported horses.

The confirmed field for the opening middle-distance division of the Bahrain Turf Series, the Al Muharraq Cup (sponsored by Telex Air) run over 2000m, can be viewed here.

The confirmed field for the opening sprint division of the Bahrain Turf Series, the Al Manama Cup (sponsored by BBK) run over 1000m, can be viewed here.

Tuesday 5^th December 2023