Nine European Challengers In Bahrain

[Wandering Eyes]

Bahrain on Friday hosts its first race with overseas runners when nine Europeans line up against five of the best locally-trained runners in the £500,000 Bahrain International Trophy over 2000 metres at the Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club.

The six British-trained runners are Sheikh Hamdan’s Afaak (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), the winner of this year’s Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot and to be ridden by Jim Crowley; handicap winner and Group 3-placed Pivoine (Ire) (Redoute’s Choice {Aus}) for Andrew Balding and Silvestre de Sousa; recent listed fourth Aquarium (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) for Jane Chapple-Hyam and Richard Kingscote; Mountain Angel (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), a two-time winner at Epsom this year for Roger Varian, to be ridden by Andrea Atzeni; and Coolagh Forest (Ire) (Elzaam {Aus}), who makes his first start for trainer Paul D’Arcy and local owner Khaled Rahim, having been bought for 125,000gns at the Tattersalls Autumn Horses-In-Training Sale.

Flying the French flag is last year’s G1 Prix Jean Prat victor Intellogent (Fr) (Intello {Ger}), trained by Fabrice Chappet, and Jerome Reynier’s Royal Julius (Ire) (Royal Applause {GB}), twice group-placed this season. They will be ridden respectively by Pierre-Charles Boudot and Stephane Pasquier. German trainer Andreas Suborics provides Sword Peinture (Ger) (Peintre Celebre), the lone filly in the field.

European-based jockeys Gerald Mosse, Brett Doyle and Adrie de Vries have been booked for three of the local runners.

Shaikh Salman bin Rashed Al Khalifa, the REHC executive director, said, “Attracting so many top owners, trainers, jockeys and horses for our first international race has exceeded our expectations and means a lot for Bahrain, but I am sure this is only the beginning of a successful journey to establish our country in the racing calendar.

“As well as benefitting our racing, I believe the event will do a lot to help tourism in Bahrain. We have put in place a schedule of events that will enable visitors to have a look at our country, which will add value to their experience. Our aim is for everyone to leave with a positive image of Bahrain.”

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