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| Staff Writer |
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The 2024-25 edition of the Bahrain Turf Series concludes this Thursday on day one of The King's Cup Festival with several horses still in contention for the US$40,000 bonus awarded to each division winner.
Roman Dragon, trained by Hugo Palmer, currently leads the sprint division on 28 points, giving co-owner Nick Hughes high hopes of claiming the lucrative prize that is divided between connections.
"To win the series would be amazing. It's not just about winning one race, it about consistently performing against a lot of good horses. I have to pinch myself when I see we are competing against owners who have horses all over the world. I work hard and any money I earn goes into looking after Roman Dragon," said Hughes.
For Hughes, who co-owns Roman Dragon with former footballer Michael Owen, success in Bahrain would represent a fairytale achievement as the gelding is his only horse in training.
"Ever since I was a boy, racing has been my passion. It was always a dream to own a horse and I was lucky enough to first do so at the age of 33. The colours were chosen by my late Auntie Sandra shortly before she passed away, so they are very special," Hughes revealed.
The relationship with Owen came through a college connection. "A few years ago, through a friend from college, I was introduced to Michael Owen and his Manor House Stables, and I have had a horse in training there ever since. Michael bred Roman Dragon and both of our families love to watch him race."
Roman Dragon has thrived in Bahrain's international programme, which has been expanded this season to include two additional US$100,000 races. Combined, the six sprint races and six middle-distance races are worth a total of US$1million, with a further US$80,000 available in bonuses.
"Roman Dragon has had a lot of success at Chester but the racing in Bahrain has been an amazing story. He seems to love racing there as much as Michael and I enjoy visiting. Last year we were there to watch him win and it was a day we will never forget. He was an outsider and many, including ourselves, didn't give us much chance, so when we won, we celebrated as if we had won the Arc de Triomphe!!" Hughes enthused.
"Bahrain is a magical place and we have met some amazing people through the Turf Series. His Highness Shaikh Isa presented Michael and I with the trophy last year, which was such an honour. When Roman Dragon won the Al Sakhir Cup this season, I was gutted I couldn't make the trip. However, I was delighted for Sarah Peacock to receive the prize as she has been a star looking after Roman Dragon and keeping him fit and healthy."
With 15 points for a win and 10 points for second place, locally trained pair Nomadic Empire and Redemption Time, as well as George Boughey's consistent sprinter, Spangled Mac, remain in contention. However, a top-three finish would secure the series for Roman Dragon.
"Unfortunately, we can't be there to see Roman Dragon on Thursday and, as we have seen in the past, the series always goes to the wire and there are many good horses still fighting to win it. Myself and Michael, with our family, friends and some staff from Manor House, will watch it together in Chester and I imagine there will be a bit of a party if he can pull it off!"
In the middle-distance category, Majestic, trained by Jack Channon, holds a narrow one-point lead with 26 points. The former Cambridgeshire Handicap winner at Newmarket started strongly in Bahrain with two impressive performances but finished unplaced last time and has been freshened up since January.
Al Mohamediya Racing has three challengers in Merlin's Beard, Soldier's Empire and Knight Of Honour. International contenders Snellen, trained by Gavin Cromwell, and Mr Alan, from the Boughey yard, are also in the mix.
The King's Cup Festival spans two days this year, with the Turf Series finale on Thursday followed by Friday's running of The King's Cup, now upgraded to Gr.3 status. Worth US$200,000 and sponsored by Bapco Energies, the race honours His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa and has been a fixture in Bahrain's racing calendar for over 40 years.
All races will be streamed on the Bahrain Turf Club's website, with Racing TV broadcasting the Turf Series races in the UK and Ireland.