Bahrain International, more valuable than ever

“Nations Pride is a very good horse, and as a classy 3yo and went into the 2021 Derby at Epsom as a genuine contender but on the day he probably didn’t stay.”

Champion British jockey William Buick again partners Nations Pride to claim the Bahrain International Trophy “as he has always been held in high regard and he has performed really well since.”

In Nation Pride last winning two Group 1s in the Canadian International and Grosser Dallmar-Preis, both at 1¼m, its why this Bahrain International is the strongest in its five-year history.

In fact, William Buick stated “he won the Group 1 in Germany, beating the German Derby winner in good style and last time out in Canada, the soft ground was not to his liking, but he still won.”

Having also won the Dubai Millennium and third in the Dubai Turf earlier this year, Nations Pride had drawn Barrier 12 of 14 runners for trainer Charlie Appleby and owner breeders Godolphin.

In winning over 1¼m at two years, he certainly is his own style of a Derby hero in first taking out the Saratoga Derby of 1m1½f at Saratoga, then the Jockey Club Derby of 1½m at Aqueduct.

Previously it was second in the Belmont Derby at Belmont Park, and earlier eighth to Desert Crown in The Derby at Epsom, having opened his classic season with the Newmarket Stakes of 1¼m.

Home-bred by Godolphin, and being by Telefilo, who had Without a Fight win both the Melbourne Cup and Caulfield Cup, he’s the family of Australian star Militarize and Irish sire Lucky Vega.

With this Bahrain International Trophy topping $1 million in prizemoney, and elevated to International Group 2 status, its run over 2000m on turf, and being broadcasted live world-wide.

And in this world of expanding broadcast Yusuf Buheji, CEO of the Bahrain Turf Club stated “the Bahrain International Trophy will once again receive significant exposure from broadcasters all around the world, including live coverage in India and Indonesia for the first time.”

While Seb Vance, Director of Communications and International TV Distribution at RMG further added: “RMG is once again honoured to be working closely with the Bahrain Turf Club for its fifth season through our production, distribution and marketing partnerships.”

“TV exposure is always an accurate barometer as to the appeal of any sport and Bahrain racing has clearly caught the imagination far and wide, and along with Timeline and HBA Media, we look forward to delivering another world-class event.”

Back on track, and Charlie Appleby also saddles Highland Avenue for Godolphin with James Doyle from 3, having won the Darley Stakes, and by Dubawi is from Cheveley Park winner Lumiere.

Saeed Bin Suroor’s returns with last year’s Bahrain International winner Dubai Future for Godolphin, with Kieran Shoemark up, plus Group 1 placed Group winner Real World for Oisin Murphy.

Also from Britian its John and Thady Gosden with Prince of Wales’s Stakes winner Israr for Jim Crowley, Cambridgeshire winner Astro Boy with Richard Kingscote, and Spirit Dancer with Oisin Orr.

From Ireland its three Group 2 winners with Ryan Moore on Point Lonsdale for Aiden O’Brien, his son Joseph O’Brien with Above The Curve for Maxime Guyon and Colin Keane on Layfayette.

As France won the first  Bahrain International, its French 2000 Guineas hero Marhaba Ya Sanafi with Christian Demuro, and the Andre Fabre Godolphin 3yo Birr Castle and Mickael Barzalona.

In lunching this fifth Bahrain International Trophy His Highness Shaikh Isa Bin Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Rashid Equestrian & Horseracing Club said: “This year its more valuable than ever and the growth of the race on the world stage has been recognised with its upgrade to Group 2 status, and the calibre of horses have increased the scale of international participation.”

“Following an increase in the prize fund, the Bahrain International Trophy will be the first $1 million race to be run in the Kingdom and the strongest in the race’s history, so we extend a warm welcome to all the overseas trained horses overseas and look forward to a memorable race on Friday.”