Bahrain Turf Club | Horse Racing Free Tips

Isle of Jura ‘Victorious’ In King’s Cup To Complete Bahrain Sweep

Isle of Jura (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) found his best stride entering the final 200 metres and ran out a comfortable winner of Friday's $200,000 Listed King's Cup to secure the 'Triple Crown' for Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa's Victorious Racing and trainer George Scott.

Winner of a Bahrain Turf Series race Dec. 8 and second in another three weeks later, Isle of Jura saw his rating rise out of the eligibility range for those valuable handicaps and made his next start in the Listed Crown Prince's Cup Feb. 2. Duly obliging there for a first black-type success, he scooped the $135,000 Sheikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa Cup a fortnight later and was going for the sweep in the King's Cup.

The commonly owned, but Fawzi Nass-trained Rollajam (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}), ostensibly a pacemaker for Isle of Jura, bombed the start, but rolled forward with a rush to take up the running and opened a double-digit margin on his rivals down the back. Isle of Jura raced in about fifth position and one off the fence with cover, but still had plenty of ground to make up on the leader turning in. The hulking bay took time to hit top gear, but began to bridge the gap in earnest approaching the final furlong and pulled clear from there as Sovereign Spirit (GB) (Le Havre {Ire}) and Panning for Gold (Ire) (Galileo Gold {GB}) ran on for the minor prizes.

“This ranks as the highlight of my career to date, miles ahead of anything else. It's unbelievable,” the winning trainer commented. “The King's Cup is the pinnacle of racing here in Bahrain. What a wonderful horse, he really is a trier.”

Added jockey Callum Shepherd: “What a magic winter this horse has given us and for it to culminate in this race is huge. He's had to overcome adversity here, being virtually knocked over on the first bend. I'm enormously grateful to His Highness Sheikh Nasser, I am so pleased we could do this for him. It was his ambition to win the three races, the 'Triple Crown', and it takes some doing.

“I'd also like to give enormous credit to Rosie Jessop who's ridden him every day out here and the girls who have looked after him. They have carried out and implemented George's plans to the letter and they have been faultless in doing so.”

Said Jessop, who has jumped aboard Isle of Jura in his work over the course of the last three months: “I am going to miss him dearly. He's been the life and soul of my season this year. I'm just so happy and he's made it a magical time for us.”

Isle of Jura returns to Europe for a pattern campaign over the summer.

The well-related Isle of Jura is out of a daughter of French listed-winning 2002 G1 Pouliches runner-up Firth of Lorne (Ire) (Danehill), whose son Master of the Seas (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) led home a Godolphin 1-2 in last year's GI Breeders' Cup Mile. She is also the dam of the stakes-winning and G1 St James's Palace S. second Latharnach (Iffraaj {GB}) and Etive (Elusive Quality), a listed winner in Germany. This is also the family of Just Fine (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), popular winner of the G1 Metropolitan H. at Randwick last September. Falls of Lora is also represented by a 2-year-old Night of Thunder (Ire) colt and a yearling colt by Dubawi.

Real World Back To Winning Ways

It had been a stretch of 12 consecutive outs for Godolphin's classy Real World (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) dating back to his victory in the 2022 G2 Zabeel Mile at Meydan. The 7-year-old earned his first placing since when third to Brave Emperor (Ire) (Sioux Nation) in the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cup in Qatar Feb. 17 and snapped the skid with an authoritative victory in Friday's $80,000 Listed Al Methaq Mile.

Ridden forward by Kevin Stott, the veteran went to the front with better than 200 metres to travel and proved not for catching from there, defeating Wowzers (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) by a comfortable 2 1/2-length margin.

“Last time Real World ran well in Doha in Qatar, and then he worked very well last week and back at a mile, which is the best trip for him, I was confident he would run well. That was good to see,” said trainer Saeed bin Suroor.

KING'S CUP-Listed, $200,000, Sakhir, 3-8, 3yo/up, 2400mT, 2:31.50, gd.
1–ISLE OF JURA (GB), 128, g, 4, New Approach (Ire)–Falls of Lora (Ire), by Street Cry (Ire). (£150,000 HRA '23 TATMAR). O-Victorious; B-Godolphin; T-George Scott; J-Callum Shepherd; $120,000. Lifetime Record: 10-5-1-0, $287,164. *Full to Cascadian (GB), MG1SW-Aus, G1SP-Fr, $5,925,891; half to Albahr (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), GISW-Can, SW-Eng, $236,981.
2–Sovereign Spirit (GB), 125, g, 4, Le Havre (Ire)–Shutka (Fr), by Holy Roman Emperor (Ire). 1ST BLACK-TYPE. (€75,000 Ylg '21 ARQOCT; 40,000gns HRA '23 TATAUT). O-Al-Afoo Racing; B-J P Dubois; T-Jaber Ramadhan; J-Soufiane Saadi; $40,000.
3–Panning for Gold (Ire), 125, g, 4, Galileo Gold (GB)–Sweet Temptation (Ire), by Amadeus Wolf (Ire). 1ST BLACK-TYPE. (€18,000 Ylg '21 GOFOCT; £115,000 2yo '22 GOFAPR; 85,000gns HRA '23 TATAUT). O-Al Mohamediya Racing; B-Rossenarra Bloodstock Ltd; T-Fawzi Nass; J-Neil Callan; $20,000.
Margins: 2HF, 1HF, NO.
Click for the Bahrain Turf Club chart.

AL METHAQ MILE-Listed, $80,000, Sakhir, 3-8, 3yo/up, 1600mT, 1:34.30, gd.
1–REAL WORLD (IRE), 126, g, 7, Dark Angel (Ire)–Nafura (GB), by Dubawi (Ire). O/B-Godolphin; T-Saeed bin Suroor; J-Kevin Stott; $48,000. Lifetime Record: Hwt. Older Horse-UAE at 7-9.5f, GSW & MG1SP-Eng, GSW-Fr & UAE, 23-7-3-3, $896,845. *1/2 to Dubai Fountain (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), SW & MGSP-Eng, $123,978.
2–Wowzers (GB), 126, g, 5, Kodiac (GB)–Vallado (Ire), by Clodovil (Ire). 1ST BLACK-TYPE. (65,000gns RNA Ylg '20 TATNOV; 110,000gns HRA '22 TATAUT). O-Al Mohamediya Racing; B-Wood Hall Stud; T-Fawzi Nass; J-Hector Crouch; $16,000.
3–Mehmento (Ire), 126, g, 6, Mehmas (Ire)–Invincible Me (Ire), by Invincible Spirit (Ire). (£14,000 RNA 2yo '20 TATJUL; 23,000gns HRA '22 TATFEB; 45,000gns HRA '22 TATJUL). O-Al-Afoo Racing; B-Tally-Ho Stud; T-Mohammed Hasan; J-Soufiane Saadi; $8,000.
Margins: 2HF, NK, HF.
Click for the Bahrain Turf Club chart.

The post Isle of Jura ‘Victorious’ In King’s Cup To Complete Bahrain Sweep appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Nine Runners Declared For Crown Prince’s Cup

Three British-trained runners, plus two in the Godolphin blue, feature in a nine-strong field for the Listed Crown Prince's Cup (Sponsored by Cebarco) at the Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club on Friday, February 2.

Charlie Appleby, who won the race in 2023 with Warren Point (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), saddles a leading contender again this year in the shape of the four-year-old Local Dynasty (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who was last seen running out an emphatic winner of a handicap at Meydan. His vanquished rivals on that occasion included the same owner's Passion And Glory (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}), who will be back in familiar surroundings in Bahrain as he tries to reverse the form in the Crown Prince's Cup. Trained by Saeed Bin Suroor, Passion And Glory was second in the G3 Bahrain International Trophy in 2022 before winning the Listed His Majesty The King's Cup the following year.

The British challenge is made up of three horses who will also be familiar to local racegoers having taken part in the Bahrain Turf Series during the winter. The Ian Williams-trained Duc De Kent (Fr) (Zelzal {Fr}) has been beaten in his two starts, but Isle Of Jura (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) and Lucander (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}) have both been among the winners for George Scott and George Baker, respectively. Lucander came out on top by a short head when the pair met most recently, but Isle Of Jura is better off at the weights in the Crown Prince's Cup, leaving Scott optimistic of another bold showing in the familiar colours of His Highness Shaikh Nasser's Victorious Racing.

“Isle Of Jura has not surprised me in terms of how well he has done in Bahrain,” said Scott. “He has really thrived in the conditions and the lovely fast ground was always going to suit him.

“The plan was always to progress from the Bahrain Turf Series to the Cup races and this [2000m] is his distance, so I am very hopeful of a big run. It would mean a great deal to His Highness Shaikh Nasser to win a race as prestigious as the Crown Prince's Cup.”

Rollajam (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}) will also sport the silks of Victorious Racing and is one of two runners for leading local trainer Fawzi Nass along with Bahrain Turf Series winner Zagato (GB) (Frankel {GB}). The home defence is completed by Allan Smith's American Flag (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and the Jaber Ramadhan-trained Sovereign Spirit (GB) (Le Havre {Ire}) on another significant day in the Bahrain racing calendar, with two Bahrain Turf Series races and the Bahrain Derby and Bahrain Oaks also featuring on the card.

The declared runners for the 2024 Crown Prince's Cup can be found here.

The post Nine Runners Declared For Crown Prince’s Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Andy Waitt Appointed New Clerk Of The Course For Bahrain Turf Club

Andy Waitt has been named as the new clerk of the course for the Bahrain Turf Club. He replaces Neil Mackenzie Ross.

Yusuf Buheji, CEO of the Bahrain Turf Club said, “We are delighted to welcome Andy to the team at the Rashid Equestrian & Horseracing Club. The Club considers the provision of a first-class racing surface to be fundamental to the growth of horseracing in Bahrain, not only from the perspective of attracting international horses but also in terms of raising the standards of our domestic horse population.

“We have made a significant investment in the facilities, developing two separate turf tracks, as well as our extensive training resources, to ensure we provide the best quality surface for all horses and riders.

“Andy has a lot of experience from his time working in England and shares our ambition for the future. Our thanks to Neil Mackenzie Ross for his significant contribution during his nine years working for the Club.”

Previously based at Chelmsford City Racecourse, Waitt began his career in racing at Sandown Park. Later based at Lingfield Park as head groundsman and estates manager, he qualified for clerk of the course in 2005, and held that role at Great Leighs from 2008-2009. He returned to that track to oversee its re-opening as Chelmsford City in 2015.

Waitt said, “I was attracted to the role by the opportunity to work for a progressive racing jurisdiction with long-term plans. I am very much looking forward to the Bahrain International Trophy in November and then the Bahrain Turf Series, which runs from December through to February. I am also thoroughly enjoying getting to know the friendly and accommodating people of Bahrain.”

The BTC hosts the $1-million G2 Bahrain International Trophy every November, as well as The Listed Crown Prince's Cup and Listed The King's Cup in February and March, respectively.

The post Andy Waitt Appointed New Clerk Of The Course For Bahrain Turf Club appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Bahrain International Trophy Upgraded To Group 2 Status And Will Be Worth $1 Million In 2023

This year's edition of the G2 Bahrain International Trophy will feature an increased purse of $1 million, the Bahrain Turf Club announced on Thursday.

The highest profile race in the kingdom, the race was promoted to Group 2 level by the Asian Pattern Committee recently. It was won in 2022 by Dubai Future (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) for trainer Saeed bin Suroor and Godolphin.

His Highness Shaikh Isa Bin Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Rashid Equestrian & Horseracing Club, said, “The Bahrain International Trophy is our showpiece event and its promotion to Group 2 status represents another significant step in growing the Kingdom's standing on the international racing stage.

“We are looking forward to staging the best horseracing event to date and welcoming runners from all over the world to Bahrain.”

The addition of the purse boost for the Bahrain International Trophy is part of the all-round investment programme in the country with will boast record purses for the 2023-24 season. All three Bahraini listed races, the Crown Prince's Cup, the King's Cup and the Al Methaq Mile, have all received purse hikes, as has the 10-race Bahrain Turf Series with each race worth $80,000 (£65,000).

Yusuf Buheji, CEO of the Bahrain Turf Club added, “We are delighted to announce the staging of the first $1-million race in Bahrain, along with increases in the value of all our Pattern races, the Bahrain Turf Series and our wider domestic programme.

“In addition to increases in prize money, we continue to invest in our racing and training facilities, as well as our integrity standards. Through these initiatives, as well as our partnerships and sponsorship portfolio, the aim is to further raise the standard of racing in Bahrain and welcome more international visitors.”

For more information, please visit the BTC website.

The post Bahrain International Trophy Upgraded To Group 2 Status And Will Be Worth $1 Million In 2023 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post