TDT | Manama
Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com
As the 2023/2024 national horse racing season kicks off at the Rashid Equestrian and Horse Racing Club (REHC) in Sakhir, yesterday’s highlight event saw Al Adiyat Racing claim victory over the late Sheikh Rashid Racing. won the Bin Isa Al Khalifa Cup.
Byline achieved his seventh and penultimate win on the eight-race card, with each event being held in memory and in honor of the late His Highness Sheikh Rashid and all the cups that bear his name.
The seventh race was 1,600 meters long and had a total prize pool of BD5,000. Ridden by jockey Lee Newman and trained by AM Smith, the six-year-old gelding took the win ahead of Mehmento, competing with owner Al Ahhoo Racing, trainer Mohamed Hasan and saddler Ebrahim Nader.
Al Mohammediya Racing, Osama Hashim and Anas Al Siyabi’s Bonds Boy finished third.
The eighth and final race of the day in the Opening Day Cup was run over 1,600 meters for a BD5,000 prize, with Rider on the Storm claiming victory for M&E Racing, AM Smith and Andrew Elliott.
Pisces was followed by Abdullah Fawzi Nas, Fawzi Nas and Alberto Sanna, while Coiled and Ready took third place with Victorious, AM Smith and Edinson Rodriguez.
Race 6, a 1,200m straight race with a prize fund of BD4,000, was won by Ocean Star, ridden by jockey Sufjan Saadi.
The winner, owned by Al Ahhoo Racing, was trained by Mohamed Hasan and finished ahead of Pure Dreamer, representing Al Adiyat Racing, AM Smith and Lee Newman.
Mayaas finished third with Al Hasanain Racing, Ali Jan and Hasan Al Safar.
In race five, Royal Scimitar won after 1,400 meters for Al Mohamediyah Racing, Fawzi Nas and Jason Watson. The winners took home the majority of the event’s prize money of BD3,000. Notions took second place, with Jameis Azez rounding out the top three.
The fourth race of the day, over 2,000 meters, was run by Al Adiyat Racing’s American Flag and trainer AM Smith, ridden by Lee Newman.
Dark Lion came in 2nd place, and Brave the Storm came in 3rd place. In Race 3, Musique de la Nuit, Alan Smith and Mathieu Perretan, victorious, took first place after 1,800 meters and took home the maximum prize money of BD2,000.
Jibara took second place and Sinatra took third place.
The second race of the BD3,000 over 1,000 meters was won by Waqiar of Al Ahhoo Racing, Mohamed Hasan and Anas Al Siyabi. Kamali took second place and Nahi took third place.
The first race of the day was a 1,000m WAHO event for BD2,000 prize money, which was won by Al Maanaji 1846 over Al Qardiyah and Fawzi Nas.
Rosie Jessop steered the five-year-old to victory, finishing ahead of Victorious’ Quheilan Weldumzorail 1838 and Alrifa’s Tuwisan 1844.
Yesterday’s opening day was the first of REHC’s stacked race calendar for the new season, and it’s set to be more rewarding than ever with an improved raceday experience offering something for fans.
Other highlights on the calendar include the $1 million Bahrain International Trophy on November 17 and the return of the popular Bahrain Turf Series, which runs from December to March.
As the new year begins, attention will turn to the Crown Prince’s Cup on February 2nd and the season finale, the Copa del Rey, on March 8th.
Trainer AM Smith receives one of the trophies from His Highness Sheikh Faisal bin Rashid bin Isa Al Khalifa, Vice-Chairman of the REHC High Commission