Bahrain celebrates 50th anniversary with first Group 1 race

This season Bahrain celebrates a historical anniversary in the country’s sporting history with the Bahrain International Trophy being upgraded to Group 1 status in 2026.

A landmark event with the staging of its first Group 1 race, it’s an introduction of increased opportunities for international runners being the first race of its status to be run in Bahrain.

To be staged on Friday 13 November at the Rashid Equestrian & Horseracing Club, the prize money for this Group 1 over 2000m will increase to US$1.5 million in line with international standards.

In addition, the Bahrain International Trophy Day will have a new event with the Bahrain Long Distance Cup being an open handicap of US$400,000 over 2800m, and to attract international stayers.

Also, this season is an expansion of the popular Bahrain Turf Series to include a dedicated mile division, operating alongside the existing middle-distance and sprint programmes.

Running from October to April and with 30 race fixtures, the season marks the 50th anniversary of the Rashid Equestrian & Horseracing Club, from which the Bahrain Turf Club itself was born.

Yusuf Buheji, CEO of the Bahrain Turf Club said: “It is wonderful that we will celebrate 50 years of the Club in the very same season that Bahrain stages its first international Group 1 race.”

“The horse and horseracing are deeply embedded in our heritage, and the rise of the Bahrain International Trophy has had a positive impact on the overall quality of racing in the Kingdom.”

“They are integral to our vision for the future of international collaboration, long-term development and ambition to elevate Bahrain’s status on the global racing stage.”

“The embodiment of this strategy is the Bahrain International Trophy, which with support from abroad and investment from within has gone from strength to strength.”

“This has enabled us to expand our international race programme, offering a broader range of opportunities within not only the Bahrain Turf Series but other races too.”

Endorsing the changes, Irish trainer Joseph O’Brien, who had Galen second to Royal Champion in the 2025 Bahrain International Trophy, stated, “We have enjoyed the experience of having runners in Bahrain and the race programme is always in our mind for suitable horses.”

“It’s fantastic the Bahrain International Trophy been upgraded to Group 1, and the addition of the Bahrain Long Distance Cup is really exciting too. We are already thinking about which horses will be suited, and we are excited to compete this year and beyond.”

As the race programme has evolved for international competition throughout the season the Bahrain Turf Series, combined with premier and Pattern races, provides a competitive and diverse programme across a range of distances and divisions.

The 2026-27 Bahrain Turf Series increases to fourteen races with the new mile division alongside the sprint and middle-distance races, and concludes at The King’s Cup Festival in March with three US$100,000 handicaps.

Yusuf Buheji, CEO of the Bahrain Turf Club, added: “Last season demonstrated the competitiveness and balance of racing in Bahrain, with success by both Bahraini and international runners.”

“In fact, there were six races apiece shared by Bahrain-trained horses and internationals in the Bahrain Turf Series, with the competition central to the development of horseracing in Bahrain.”

Also, this season sees the Bahrain Turf Club’s annual sponsorship of the July Festival at Newmarket, with The Kingdom of Bahrain as its longest-standing sponsor.

Having supported the Bahrain Trophy since 1991, it also sponsors the Kingdom of Bahrain July Stakes and the Princess of Wales’s Stakes on the opening day.