Sovereign Spirit Clings On In Breathtaking Photo Finish To Win Gr.3 Crown Prince's Cup
Al-Afoo Racing Star Completes Famous Sakhir Double
A short head was all that separated glory from heartbreak as Sovereign Spirit produced a lung-bursting finish to edge out Cracksking in a thrilling photo finish for the Gr.3 Crown Prince's Cup (US$200,000), the feature race on the second and final day of the Crown Prince's Cup Festival at the Bahrain Turf Club.
The 6YO gelding, completing a famous double having captured the King's Cup last season, hit the line with his head down at the precise moment it mattered most, handing trainer Jaber Ramadhan and owners Al-Afoo Racing a nerve-shredding victory that left connections anxiously awaiting the judge's verdict.
HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, was in attendance to present the feature trophies on a day that delivered drama in spades.
Crown Prince's Cup Drama Unfolds As Sovereign Spirit Repels Late Surge
Ridden for the first time by jockey Paul Mulrennan, Sovereign Spirit was recording his eleventh career victory and eighth triumph in the Kingdom, but rarely can any of those successes have been secured by such a slender margin.
The pace was set by Sovereign Spirit's stablemate King Of The Throne, but that runner weakened early in the home straight leaving the eventual winner in front with the pack closing rapidly. Cracksking, representing Al Adiyat Racing and trainers Daniel and Claire Kubler, emerged as the sole danger, throwing down a serious challenge that looked for a stride as though it might prove decisive. Time ran out, however, as Sovereign Spirit put his head down right on the line.
Hi Royal, trained by Kevin Ryan for Al Mohamediya Racing, finished third 2¼ lengths behind the front pair.
A delighted Mulrennan said after the race: "I was just a passenger, he travelled round so strong. I probably ended up getting there a bit too soon, but he was going so well and I hated to disappoint him. He stays well, he's very genuine and he put his head down right on the line. It's great to be over here and ride a big winner."
Ramadhan added: "I was nervous about the photo finish. The jockey was great; he gave him a brilliant ride. He's a proper horse but when he runs, I do get nervous. The plan now is to go to Saudi and then the King's Cup again."
Panning For Gold ran on for fourth just a short head behind Hi Royal, with Tawaareq fifth. Champagne Prince finished sixth ahead of Nesthorn, while pacemaker King Of The Throne faded to last of the eight runners.
No Retreat Announces Himself As Stakes-Class Performer In Bahrain Mile Rout
The Bahrain Mile (US$50,000) produced an emphatic victory for No Retreat, providing Victorious Forever, trainer George Scott and jockey Callum Shepherd with another exciting prospect for major races in the Middle East and Europe.
Held up off a strong pace, No Retreat pulled clear of Byline and international raider Northern Express, trained by Michael Dods for Sekura Group.
Shepherd said: "He was very good, it was really smooth. He seems to have taken a big leap forward the last two starts and he's earned his place wherever he goes next, he's a proper Stakes horse."
Scott revealed the gelding's immediate plans: "He goes to Qatar in two weeks, I am looking forward to that. We'll see how he goes there and we'll take it one race at a time, but I do love this horse. I would have been very upset if he didn't win well."
Speaking about how well the horse has taken to being based in Bahrain, Scott added: "He loves a strict routine and he doesn't take much work. When you're in the UK there are variable factors that change, but here it's the same thing every day, which he enjoys. Today was a race of some magnitude, but bigger tests will await him now. He's got the physical capability to keep improving."
Jehangeer finished fourth with Royal Scimitar fifth. Ecosystem and Juantorena completed the field.
Realm Dominates Bahrain-Bred Feature With 5-Length Triumph
Realm stormed to a 5-length victory in the Crown Prince's Cup Bahrain-bred for owner Mohammed Khalid Abdulrahim and trainer Haider Ebrahim. The 5YO mare was partnered by Tom Marquand.
Galatia, trained by Robert McDowall, finished second with Midhaal third for trainer Abdulla Kuwaiti. Pheonix was fourth ahead of California, Mudallal, Mediterranean Moon, Jerusalema, Jbarah, Hercules, Hizaam and Sinjar.
Baraak Lands Bahrain Derby For Al Mohamediya Racing
Baraak landed the Bahrain Derby for Al Mohamediya Racing and trainer Ali Abdulmajeed. The 4YO gelding was ridden to a 3½-length victory by Neil Callan.
Dick Dastardly, trained by Paul Smith, finished second with South China Sea third. Tomahawk was fourth, followed by Cosmic Power and Istanbul.
Chandigah Continues Rapid Improvement With Class One Cup Success
One of this season's most improved horses, Chandigah, recorded his third win of the campaign in the Class One Cup. Trained by Mahmood Jawad and ridden by Szczepan Mazur, the 5YO relished the return to 1200m and his connections are now eyeing opportunities abroad.
Desert Cop, trained by George Baker, finished second with Devaste third for trainer Osama Hashim. Grand City Hall was fourth, just a head behind, with Edward Cornelius fifth. Alzahir, Grand Grey and What A Business completed the field.
Tuwaisan 1844 Claims Crown Prince's Cup Arabian For Al Riffa Stables
Tuwaisan 1844 triumphed in the Crown Prince's Cup Arabian for Al Riffa Stables and trainer Yousif Alboainain, partnered by Abdulla Faisal.
Kuheilan Al Adiyat 1894, trained by Yousif Taher, finished a neck behind in second with Al Saqlawy 1874 third. Obeyan 1893 was fourth, followed by Obeyan 1847, Musannan M908, Obeyan 1777, Al Shawaf 1921 and Al Krush 1854.
Zeal Extends Winning Streak To Nine In Bahrain Turf Club Cup
Zeal continued his winning streak by securing his ninth career victory in the Bahrain Turf Club Cup for owner Mohammed Khalid Abdulrahim and trainer Haider Ebrahim. Ridden by Ebrahim Nader, the 5YO defeated Waqiaah by 2 lengths.
Luna finished third with Son Of Zous fourth. Shgardi and Black Pearl completed the six-runner field.
Vlad Breaks Through In Bahrain With Handicap Victory
Vlad achieved his first victory in Bahrain in the closing handicap for Al Wadi Racing and Ramadhan. The 3YO gelding, ridden by Shepherd, won a thrilling duel from Gwen John by a neck.
Baather was third with Neptunian fourth. Wojtek finished fifth ahead of Brooklyn Nine Nine, Raahy, Labalaba, Garsman, The Thin Blue Line, Aparajeo, Max Cruise and Ghaaleb.
The Crown Prince's Cup Festival concluded with a day of high-quality racing headlined by Sovereign Spirit's nerve-shredding photo finish. Connections now look ahead to the Saudi Cup carnival and a tilt at a second consecutive King's Cup, while No Retreat's impressive Bahrain Mile success has earned the gelding a trip to Qatar in two weeks as he bids to establish himself on the international stage.
Crown Prince's Festival Day 2 Results
Crown Prince's Cup (Gr.3) - US$200,000
Sovereign Spirit (T: Jaber Ramadhan / J: Paul Mulrennan)
Cracksking (T: Daniel & Claire Kubler / J: Ebrahim Nader)
Hi Royal (T: Kevin Ryan / J: Neil Callan)
Bahrain Mile - US$50,000
No Retreat (T: George Scott / J: Callum Shepherd)
Byline (T: Daniel & Claire Kubler / J: Ebrahim Nader)
Northern Express (T: Michael Dods / J: Paul Mulrennan)
Crown Prince's Cup Bahrain-bred - US$40,000
Realm (T: Haider Ebrahim / J: Tom Marquand)
Galatia (T: Robert McDowall / J: Ebrahim Nader)
Midhaal (T: Abdulla Kuwaiti / J: Lewis Edmunds)
Bahrain Derby - US$30,000
Baraak (T: Ali Abdulmajeed / J: Neil Callan)
Dick Dastardly (T: Paul Smith / J: Lee Newman)
South China Sea (T: Daniel & Claire Kubler / J: Tom Marquand)
Howden Cup (Class 1) - US$14,000
Chandigah (T: Mahmood Jawad / J: Szczepan Mazur)
Desert Cop (T: George Baker / J: Callum Shepherd)
Devaste (T: Osama Hashim / J: Jason Hart)
Crown Prince's Cup Arabian - US$14,000
Tuwaisan 1844 (T: Yousif Alboainain / J: Abdulla Faisal)
Kuheilan Al Adiyat 1894 (T: Yousif Taher / J: Muanis Al Siyabi)
Al Saqlawy 1874 (T: Yousif Taher / J: Hussain Asghar)
Bahrain Turf Club Cup - US$14,000
Zeal (T: Haider Ebrahim / J: Ebrahim Nader)
Waqiaah (T: Jaber Ramadhan / J: Callum Shepherd)
Luna (T: Ali Abdulmajeed / J: Jason Hart)
Handicap - US$14,000
Vlad (T: Jaber Ramadhan / J: Callum Shepherd)
Gwen John (T: Jaber Ramadhan / J: Benoit De La Sayette)
Baather (T: Osama Hashim / J: Neil Callan)