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| Staff Writer |
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The upcoming Bahrain International Trophy appears to be the most competitive edition yet, boasting a formidable lineup of international contenders. This highly anticipated event has been elevated to a Group Two level after last year's successful renewal. Additionally, the increased prize money of US$1 million has attracted runners from five different countries.
One of the horses competing is Israr, a colt owned and bred by Shadwell and trained by John and Thady Gosden. Israr has had a strong year, having placed second in a Group Three race at Newbury and the Listed Ebor trial at York. In July, he won the Group Two Princess of Wales's Stakes at Newmarket, defeating Adayar - the winner of the 2021 Derby. Israr finished his domestic campaign with another second-place finish in the Cumberland Lodge at Ascot and is now travelling to Bahrain with hopes of winning more prize money.
John Gosden, who trains Israr alongside his son, Thady, said, “We are confident Israr will run a really nice race over the mile and a quarter, it’s a very competitive field but so it should be.
“It’s an exciting, lovely race, well timed in the calendar and the prize money has been increased so that makes it even more attractive. We’ve been second in it, so we are itching to win it one day.”
Of Shadwell’s fortunes throughout the season, Gosden added: “They have had an incredibly successful year. It is a huge achievement on the part of everyone at Shadwell to be leading owner and a lot of that success has been down to the older, homebred horses, such as Israr.
“Since Sheikh Hamdan died, his daughter Sheikha Hissa has taken hold of the operation and her father would be extremely proud of her.”
Richard Fahey's Spirit Dancer, co-owned and bred by former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, will represent the UK in the race. Spirit Dancer is the winner of the Group Three Strensall Stakes at York. Additionally, Astro King, twice a winner this season including in the 34-runner Cambridgeshire at Newmarket in late September, is entered by Daniel and Claire Kubler.
Joseph O'Brien has entered Above The Curve while his father, Aidan, could saddle Point Lonsdale. Noel Meade has put forward a further Irish runner in Layfayette. There are two French-trained horses on the list in Andre Fabre's Birr Castle and Andreas Schutz's French 2000 Guineas winner Marhaba Ya Sanafi. Meanwhile, the home team is represented by Fawzi Nass' Calif and Qaader.
Finally, there is a significant Godolphin challenge for the race as Charlie Appleby intends to run Canadian International winner Nations Pride and Highland Avenue while Saeed bin Suroor will saddle last year's winner Dubai Future and Real World.