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| Staff Writer |
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The stage is set for a thrilling renewal of the Gr.2 Bahrain International Trophy, with last year's victor Spirit Dancer aiming to etch his name in the history books as the first dual winner of the prestigious contest. The US$1 million race, scheduled for November 15 at the Rashid Equestrian & Horseracing Club, has attracted a stellar international cast, featuring entries from eight countries.
Richard Fahey's charge, co-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson, Ged Mason, and Peter Done, is set to face formidable opposition in his title defence. The 7YO son of Frankel, who followed up his Bahrain triumph with victory in the Neom Turf Cup in Saudi Arabia, is poised to make his return at Newmarket on October 12 before jetting off to Bahrain.
Fahey reports, "Spirit Dancer is in great form. He will have a prep run at Newmarket in the Darley Stakes, following the same route that he took last year. We all had an amazing trip and experience in Bahrain and the team are really looking forward to going back this year."
Among the 61 entries are ten Group One winners and 45 Stakes race victors, representing a truly international field. Leading the charge is Joseph O'Brien's Al Riffa, alongside his father Aidan O'Brien's Coronation Cup winner, Luxembourg. This year's Arlington Million victor, Nations Pride, trained by Charlie Appleby, adds further class to the lineup.
German Group One winners Fantastic Moon and Calif, along with Group One runner-up Straight, bolster the European contingent. The globetrotting Nashwa, a three-time Group One winner for John and Thady Gosden, is also entered ahead of her return to action at Newmarket.
In a significant milestone for the race, Japanese-trained horses are set to make their Bahrain International Trophy debut. The entries include Group One winner Killer Ability, trained by Takashi Saito, alongside Ho O Biscuits and Mr G T, trained by Takeshi Okumura and Yoshito Yahagi respectively.
Yahagi, renowned for his international success, brings formidable credentials to the table, having clinched major victories in Australia, Dubai, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, and the USA.
The European challenge is further strengthened by Facteur Cheval, trained in France by Jerome Reynier. The Dubai Turf winner at Meydan in March heads a potent French squad that includes Francis Henri Graffard's duo Dolayli and Zarir, representing HH The Aga Khan.
British interests are well-represented with Owen Burrows' high-class pair Alflaila and Anmaat flying the Shadwell Estate flag. This year's Classic generation is represented by Derby runner-up Ambiente Friendly, Irish Derby second Sunway, Royal Ascot winner Jayarebe, and Strensall Stakes victor See The Fire.
The Bahrain-based contingent is spearheaded by El Habeeb and Sprewell, with Sovereign Spirit, last season's King's Cup runner-up, also in the mix.
Ed Veale, Director of Racing and International Relations for the Bahrain Turf Club, expressed his delight at the quality of entries: "We are delighted that the Bahrain International Trophy has attracted entries of such quality and it is great to see so many different countries represented. The event's status in the racing calendar is growing year on year and to have attracted Japanese-based horses for the first time is testament to that."
The Bahrain International Trophy, first run in 2019, has quickly established itself as a premier international contest. Previous winners include Simsir (2020), who went on to claim the Gr.3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy, and Lord Glitters (2021), already a Group One winner prior to his Bahrain success. Magny Cours (2022) added this trophy to his impressive haul of international wins before Spirit Dancer's triumph last year.
As the countdown to this year's renewal begins, the racing world eagerly anticipates another thrilling chapter in the Bahrain International Trophy's burgeoning history.