Two prominent horse racing owners with football backgrounds are aiming to follow in the footsteps of Sir Alex Ferguson and achieve big racing success in Bahrain.
Michael Owen and Harry Redknapp are both represented in the upcoming Bahrain Turf Series, which begins on Friday 8 December at Rashid Equestrian and Horse Racing Club.
The Bahrain Turf Series, which runs from December to February, offers internationally trained horses (rated 85-100 points) the opportunity to compete against local Bahrain-based horses over 10 races. The prize money for each race is $80,000, with bonus prizes awarded to the horse that scores the most points in the two divisions: sprint and middle distance.
Last month, Ferguson traveled to Bahrain to watch Spirit Dancer win the $1 million Bahrain International Trophy. He later described the victory of Spirit Dancer, trained by Richard Fahey for Ferguson and co-owner Ged Mason, as the best moment of his racing career.
Owen and Redknapp, who have runners in the Al Muharraq Cup over 2,000m on Friday’s card, will hope to enjoy a similar result to their runners in Saudi Arabia.
Harry Redknapp is interested in the five-year-old gelding mokta servehe has already given the former Spurs and West Ham manager some memorable days at the racecourse, including wins at Newbury and Goodwood.
Currently under the care of trainer Phil McEntee, Redknapp hopes Mokta Saab can regain his best form in the Bahrain Turf Series. “I’m really looking forward to Mokta Saab running in Bahrain,” said Redknapp.
“The horse has had a good rest since his last run in August so I think, like many of us, he will appreciate some of the winter sunshine.” hopes he can get back to a winning record after losing a few pounds.
“There were runners.” [Wonder Elzaam] I competed in my first Bahrain Turf Series in 2021 and it was a lot of fun. During the series, I will be heading to Bahrain to watch Mokta Saab run. ”
Some of Mokta Saab’s opponents in the middle distance division of the series are: box to boxa four-year-old gelding owned by former Liverpool legend Michael Owen, races in the Running Order Partnership colors.
Box to Box, who has already won five of his 23 races, is in good form, finishing runner-up at York to the Bahrain International winner Spirit Dancer, and is considered a strong candidate by his trainer Hugo Palmer. There is.
“Box to Box arrives after a very good season in the UK and has traveled well to Bahrain,” said his trainer.
“This horse improved physically in Bahrain last year, but he came off slow a few times and didn’t take his chances. That’s not who he is. If he can jump well, it’s in his favor. There will be many.
“He will be meeting up with former stablemates Mr McCann and Mr Chronograph, both of whom are now based in Bahrain, so it will be interesting to see how he fares against them. Let’s go.”
Palmer also saddles roman dragonThe opening heat of the sprint division, the Al Manama Cup, is co-owned by Owen’s company, Owen Promotions.
Trainer Palmer added: “Roman Dragon’s previous five wins have all come on the tight turns of Chester, so 1,000m in a straight line will be a slightly different challenge for him, but he likes fast tracks. He is deaf, in good shape and ready to run well.” . His owner had heard good things about the Bahrain Turf Series and wanted to try it out. ”
This will be the third installment of the 10-race Bahrain Turf Series, which begins in 2021-22. The series runs parallel to Bahrain’s national program, and international horses entered in the series are also eligible to run in other Bahrain Turf Club races open to imported horses.
• Visit the Bahrain Turf Club website
Bahrain International Trophy: Spirit Dancer gives Manchester United legend Ferguson a day to treasure
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