“Pride of Arras is ready to go,” said trainer Ralph Beckett with the dual British Group 2 winner to be again ridded by Rossa Ryan, “as I think the race is a good spot for him.”
“He has worked well at the weekend and I think the race is a good spot for him, and being a mile and a quarter on good ground will suit,” as the $6 third pick with nation-wide wagering sites.
“He’s a 3yo gelding and he’ll staying in training, so the aim is to enjoy racing him and as such we are really looking forward to Bahrain,” with Pride of Arres on 56.5kg from Gate 6 of 8 starters.
Supplemented by owner Mrs David Aykroyd, and racing in her light blue and white silks, the $1m Bahrain International Trophy is a Group 2 event for 3YO+ run over 2000m on turf.
Challenging runners from Britain, Ireland, France, UAE and Bahrain, Pride of Arras is a two-time Group 2 winner having won both the Dante Stakes and Great Voltigeur Stakes at York.
Fresh from a length victory over the Queen’s Vase winner Carmers in the Great Voltigeur of 1m2f, he’s first-up from being gelded having had disappointing runs in the Epsom and Irish Derby’s.
Priced as the $5 second favourite in The Derby at Epsom, he finished 17th of 18 runners, and was as the $9 third pick in the Irish Derby, in finishing last of 10, both times ridden Rossa Ryan.
However, it was his season opener of winning the Derby trial of the Dante Stakes of 1m2½f, that had him as a Classic contender, having won his only start as 2yo over 1 mile at Sandown.
Home bred by Mr and Mrs John Aykroyd he’s by Prix de Jockey Club hero New Bay, family Workforce, Brian Boru, Loving Dream, from the winning Oasis Dream mare Parnell’s Dream.
The $2.75 fav. is the Karl Bourke trained 7yo Royal Champion that is his first runner in Bahrain, and having won the York Stakes he’ll be ridden by James Doyle carrying 58kg and from Gate 3.
Racing in the yellow and black of Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum, Royal Champion knows all about flying having been trained in Australia by Anthony and Sam Freedman at Randwick.
“Royal Champion enjoys good ground, nice ground with no jar,” said Karl Bourke. “He’s best when fresh, as he showed with his last run. He worked well at home and is working as well as ever.”
“He came to us from Australia in late November having run three times down there and he has kept on improving all season. Indeed, his last race was as good a run as he has ever put in.”
In fact, with His Highness Shaikh Isa Bin Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa celebrating Bahrain’s growth he stated “The Bahrain International Trophy is our showpiece event.”
“Its promotion to Group 2 status represents another significant step in growing the Kingdom’s standing on the international racing stage.”
Mr Yusuf Buheji, CEO of the Bahrain Turf Club followed “We are delighted that the Asian Pattern Committee has recognised the increasing quality, The HRH The Crown Prince’s Cup to Group 3.”
“Under the leadership of the club’s Chairman, His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, our ambition is to continue the development of horseracing in Bahrain and be a jurisdiction that stands alongside the world’s best.”
“The two upgrades this year underline how our investment in developing an attractive international programme, coupled with increased prize money for locally trained horses, is helping deliver our objective of raising both the quality and competitiveness of racing in Bahrain.”
