“For the first time our most prestigious races including the Crown Prince’s Cup and the King’s Cup, will fall within the Bahrain Turf Series calendar, coupled with the new floodlights.”
In fact, HH Shaikh Isa Bin Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Rashid Equestrian & Horseracing Club said “it’s a bold initiative that will elevate the spectacle of racing in Bahrain.”
“The upcoming 2024-25 season heralds a new chapter in the evolution and growth of horse racing in Bahrain with the installation of floodlights and an expansion of the Bahrain Turf Series.”
“I am pleased to announce both an expansion of the Bahrain Turf Series and the introduction of floodlit racing will elevate Bahrain to a new level and enable our season to continue to flourish.”
“This move will provide a more flexibility to the race programme, and is intended to make racing in Bahrain an even more attractive and compelling proposition to international visitors.”
Last year the Bahrain Turf Club announced exciting changes to the Kingdom’s most valuable race, the Bahrain International Trophy with news that the race’s prize will increase to $1million.
With the race’s status upgraded to Group 2 level, the focus is developing the Bahrain Turf Series, that in 2021 was to attract internationals to compete in Bahrain during the European winter.
Three years later, and it was time was right to build on the success of the series and expand the international programme to incorporate all premier races from the second half of the season.
“Last season produced some memorable moments,” said Yusuf Buheji, CEO of the Bahrain Turf Club, “with the first $1million Bahrain International Trophy, won in great style by Spirit Dancer.”
“In providing what his co-owner and breeder Sir Alex Ferguson described as the ‘best moment of his racing life’ it included an excellent season of racing through Victorious Racing’s Isle of Jura.”
“Progressing from a Bahrain Turf Series runner to King’s Cup victor, and then on to Royal Ascot winner, Spirit Dancer and Isle of Jura showcase what’s for international horses coming to Bahrain.”
For 2024-25 season, the Bahrain Turf Series has been expanded to comprise of twelve races worth a total of $1million, with a further $80,000 in bonuses and starting later on 20th December.
Running through to until 7th March, it has an additional two handicaps each worth $100,000, and set to be run at the season’s finale weekend where the feature event will be The King’s Cup.
The extension of the Bahrain Turf Series means all the premier races in the second half of the season now fall within the dates of the international programme and easier for horses to follow.
This is the path taken by last season’s break-out star Isle of Jura, who graduated from Bahrain Turf Series handicaps to pattern races when winning The Crown Prince’s Cup and The King’s Cup.
The Crown Prince’s Cup, Shaikh Nasser Cup, The Al Methaq Mile and The King’s Cup, along with further valuable races, now fall within the international programme of the Bahrain Turf Series.
The 2024 edition of the $1m Bahrain International Trophy will take place on 15th November at the Rashid Equestrian & Horseracing Club with entries for the 2000m event closing 2nd October.
Last year’s winner Spirit Dancer, trained by Richard Fahey and ridden by Oisin Orr, defeated a Group 2 class field with Ascot winner Israr finishing second and Aidan O’Brien’s Point Lonsdale third.
In fact, racing in the Kingdom of Bahrain is run by the Bahrain Turf Club with the season starting in October and concluding in March, and one of the world’s fastest growing racing jurisdictions.
Highlighted by the $1m Bahrain International Trophy Group 2, its run in November, The Crown Prince’s Cup, Listed, and The King’s Cup, Listed, are staged in February and March respectively.
There is also the Bahrain Turf Series, comprising twelve races staged across six fixtures and designed to encourage international participation, while it has race sponsorship portfolio in Europe.
The Group 1 Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown, Group 2 races as the July Stakes and Princess of Wales’s Stakes and the Group 3 Bahrain Trophy, all run at Newmarket.
In addition, there is the Group 3 Desmond Stakes and the ‘Dublin to Bahrain’ race series at Leopardstown, as well as the sponsorship of leading jockey Tom Marquand.