The expansion of Bahrain’s racing programme is certainly capturing the imagination if the recent horses in training sales are anything to go by, and deservedly so in light of the Kingdom’s increased investment in the sport.
The Bahrain Turf Series is a relatively new concept, having been launched only in 2021, and earlier this year provided the launching pad for one of the season’s stars in Isle Of Jura, whose productive Bahrain campaign for Victorious Racing and trainer George Scott took in wins in the Crown Prince’s Cup and the King’s Cup. The gelding has since backed that up by winning the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Last month it was announced that further expansion of Bahrain’s programme was on the cards. The series will now comprise of 12 races worth a total of $1 million, with a further $80,000 available in bonuses. It is set to start on the later date of December 20 and will run until March 7, when the feature event is the Listed King’s Cup. Bahrain’s most valuable race, the Group 2 Bahrain International Trophy, worth $1 million, will be run on November 15. Last year’s renewal provided a popular and noteworthy winner in Spirit Dancer, who had the top-flight performers Above The Curve, Marhaba Ya Sanafi and Nations Pride in behind when successful for owner-breeder Sir Alex Fergsuon.
It was striking at last month’s Tattersalls July Sale just how the regard for Bahrain’s programme was driving trade. According to company representatives, 12 horses were bought out of the sale by Bahrain-based entities, some of them at high price points with an eye on taking advantage of the lucrative winter prize-money.
Classy three-year-old sprinter Jubilee Walk, the winner of three races for James Ferguson, could well be one of them for the China Horse Club. After buying out partner Qatar Racing on a valuation of 220,000gns, the operation’s representative Matt Houldsworth commented: “We’re going to target Bahrain. We’ll take him around the Middle East and perhaps we’ll go to Dubai as well. We haven’t had runners in Bahrain before but it’s something we’re keen to do as it’s obviously an emerging part of the world.”
Fresh from developing Isle Of Jura into a Bahrain revelation, George Scott and agent Billy Jackson-Stops were also on the hunt. The pair ultimately came away with City House, a progressive-looking sprinter who cost 180,000gns. “We enjoyed our time in Bahrain and we were looking for a couple of sprinters,” said Scott. “There is great prize-money in Bahrain and it is great fun.”
Another three-year-old on his way to Bahrain is the 90-rated Soldier’s Empire, who will be trained by Fawzi Nass after changing hands for 180,000gns to Al Mohamediya Racing. Along with the likes of Victorious Racing and KHK Racing, Sheikh Sultan Al Deen bin Mohammed bin Salman Al Khalifa’s Al Mohamediya Racing is of course now a major presence on British tracks, his red, white and gold colours carried by the likes of Golden Horde and Jasour.
This desire to race in Britain and Ireland ties in with the Kingdom’s welcome drive in sponsorship, something that was again on show during Newmarket’s July meeting at which the Bahrain Turf Club sponsored the Princess Of Wales Stakes, July Stakes and Bahrain Trophy. The Turf Club also sponsors the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown, the showpiece of Irish Champions weekend in September.
The July Sale also brought the ambition of those racing in Libya into sharper focus. Sky Racing, a Libyan-based syndicate, struck through agent Alessandro Marconi for two of the more desirable lots in Swindon, who cost 175,000gns fresh off his win in a Sandown handicap the weekend before, and the 85-rated Gamekeeper. Libyan-based owner Omar Esmil Ghrghar was also busy as the purchaser of 417,000gns lots, enough to make him the sale’s leading buyer. His purchases were led by the highly-rated maiden Bad Desire, for whom he paid 150,000gns.
Farewell Valdi
The breeze-up community has been rocked to its core with the death of Valdi de Souza, who passed away last month following a freak accident at Grove Stud.
The Brazilian native was a long-standing member of the Grove Stud team having previously ridden with success as a jockey, notably when partnering Rock Of Rochelle to victory in the Listed Blenheim Stakes at the Curragh for trainer Andrew Kinsella in 2007.
De Souza had been working with Brendan and Vanessa Holland at Grove Stud for the past 11 years where his opinion and professionalism as a breeze-up jockey earned him the respect of his peers and those on the wider breeze-up circuit. He took great pride in his work and would no doubt have enjoyed the recent promise shown by various Grove graduates, among them Chantilly debut scorer Scandalo.
“It was a privilege for all of us to work with someone who cared so much about his horses, his job and took so much pride in what he did every day,” said Brendan Holland. “He entered racing from school as a young boy of 12 in Brazil with the intention of becoming a professional jockey, which he did before relinquishing his licence a few years ago.
“He was inspirational to everyone here as to how he approached his job and the pride he took in it. He was also a great character and would cheer us all up with his laughs.
“I can’t tell you how heartbroken everyone here is at Grove Stud. We will miss Valdi very much.”
