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| Staff Writer |
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The racing world turning its eyes to the Middle East this weekend as one of the biggest fixtures on Bahrain's 2024-25 national horseracing calendar prepares to unfold at Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club.
Taking place this Thursday and Friday is the eagerly anticipated His Majesty the King's Cup festival, featuring world-class performers competing under floodlights during Ramadan. Racing commences at 8.15pm on both evenings, with horses already arriving and working at the track.
Friday's showpiece event is the Gr.3 HM the King's Cup, offering a handsome US$200,000 purse. Twelve internationally-rated imported horses are expected to contest the 2,400-metre contest, which takes prime position as the sixth race on an eight-event card.
Two additional King's Cups feature on Friday's programme, including the fifth race offering US$55,000 and contested over 2,400m by twelve locally bred horses. Race one provides US$20,000 in prize money and will see ten contenders battling over 1,600m in a WAHO event.
The Listed Al Methaq Mile represents another highlight on Friday, with US$100,000 at stake as a dozen horses line up over the 1,600m trip in the fourth race.
Thursday's eight-race programme features the final two legs of the Bahrain Turf Series, with significant international representation expected.
The Al Fateh Cup headlines as the seventh race, featuring a mammoth field of 23 imported horses racing down the 1,200m straight. The evening concludes with the International Handicap, where 21 imported runners will tackle 2,000m.
Both Turf Series events carry impressive US$100,000 purses, bringing the curtain down on this season's prestigious international contest.
"Following this week's two-day horseracing spectacle, REHC's exciting Ramadan programme continues with night meetings on March 13, 20, and 27. All are welcome to attend," confirmed organisers.
The Chairman's Cup (race two, US$40,000), the REHC Cup (race three, US$16,000), and The Avenues-Bahrain Cup (race seven, US$16,000) complete Friday's programme.
Thursday's additional races include the Coolmore Cup in race two (US$12,000), The Auction Cup (race three), Grand Seiko-Bahrain Jewellery Centre Cup (race four), Lexus Cup (race five), and The Mazad Sprint Cup (race six), each offering US$8,000 to connections.
Tickets for this prestigious Bahrain racing festival are available at bahrainturfclub.com.