The 2024-25 edition of the Bahrain Turf Series concluded on Thursday evening, on day one of The King’s Cup Festival, and once again there was a dramatic end with the eventual series winner and runner-up fighting out a tight finish.

It was middle-distance division of the Bahrain Turf Series that produced the thrilling finale and Soldier’s Empire the horse to claim the spoils. Owned by Al Mohamediya Racing and trained by Marco Botti, Soldier’s Empire saved his best until last, having picked up series points all season for his placed efforts, victory in the $100,000 International Handicap also secured the $40,000 bonus for first prize in the series. It was the gelding’s first win of the campaign and also a first win in Bahrain for Newmarket trainer, Marco Botti.

Under a vintage Neil Callan ride, Soldier’s Empire overcame a wide draw and weaved an unlikely route through the field to hit the front in the dying strides to deny Mr Alan for trainer George Boughey and jockey Billy Loughnane. In doing so, Callan and Soldier’s Empire also denied the Amo Racing owned Mr Alan first prize in the middle-distance division.

Speaking after the race, Neil Callan said: “I am not sure where I found the gaps, it’s probably just instinct. Credit has to go to His Highness Shaikh Sultan, as I kept telling him this horse is a miler, he’s not getting home, so he said to me ‘ride him to get the trip and be the last to play’. So, we did that today and the horse duly delivered.

“I am really pleased to finally get a win for Marco Botti and his team, that’s quite special as they have been out here all season and deserved this.”

The 15 points earned for the win took Soldier’s Empire’s total in the series to 35 points, enough to win the $40,000 bonus ahead of Mr Alan and Majestic.

Winning trainer, Marco Botti said: “I am delighted to have won the division of the Turf Series and delighted for the owner, His Highness Shaikh Sultan, after the support he has given us. It was a pleasure to watch. It was an excellent ride from Neil Callan from a tricky outside draw. They went fast, which he enjoyed, and he has a good turn of foot. The horse deserved to win because he’s been so consistent here all season.”

The final race in the sprint division, the Al Fateh Cup (sponsored by Bapco Energies), produced a shock result with Nationwide winning under jockey Stephane Ladjadj for trainer Fawzi Nass and Victorious Racing. Desert Cop once again ran a fine race in defeat for George Baker and Callum Shepherd.

As it turned out, ninth place was good enough for Roman Dragon to hold on to his lead in the series and win the $40,000 bonus for the sprint division for owners Nick Hughes and Michael Owen.

This year, The King’s Cup Festival is a two-day event, taking place on Thursday and Friday. Day one features the climax of the Bahrain Turf Series and day two hosts the 2025 running of The King’s Cup.

The King’s Cup, run in honour of His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of the Kingdom of Bahrain, is the most prestigious prize in Bahrain’s racing calendar. Worth $200,000 and sponsored by Bapco Energies, this year’s edition is notable as it marks the first running of The King’s Cup since it was awarded international Group 3 status.