This year’s Bahrain International Trophy looks set to be the strongest yet, with strong international teams.
The contest was revamped last season, moving up to the Group 2 level, increasing the prize money to $1 million, and attracting runners from five countries.
This includes John and Sadie Gosden’s Israal, a stallion owned and bred by Shadwell who continues to perform well throughout the year.
The four-year-old finished second in the Group 3 at Newbury and the Listed Ever Trial at York, and beat 2021 Derby winner Adayar in the Group 2 Princess of Wales Stakes at Newmarket in July. won over.
He finished his domestic tour with another second place finish at Cumberland Lodge at Ascot and is heading to Bahrain in hopes of picking up more prize money.
John Gosden, who trains Israel with his son Sadie, said: “We are confident that Israel will run a really good race over the mile and a quarter. It’s a very competitive field, but That’s the way it should be.”
“It’s an exciting, nice race, with good calendar times and the increased prize money makes it even more appealing. We’ve been second so far, so we’re itching to win one day.”
On Shadwell’s good fortune throughout the season, Gosden added: Having everyone at Shadwell be a leading horse owner is a great achievement, and much of that success is due to older homebred horses like Israal.
“Since Sheikh Hamdan passed away, his daughter Sheikh Hissa has taken over the operation and her father would be very proud of her.”
Richard Fahey’s Spirit Dancer, co-owned and produced by former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and winner of the Group 3 Strensall Stakes at York, will also represent Great Britain in the race. He is scheduled to participate.
Daniel and Claire Kubler have competed in Astro King and have won twice this season, including the 34-horse Cambridgeshire event at Newmarket in late September.
Above the Curve will be entered by Joseph O’Brien, with his sire Aidan likely to be saddled by Point Lonsdale and Noel Mead likely fielding a further Irish horse at Leyfayette.
Two French-trained horses are on the list, Andre Fabre’s Bill Castle and Andreas Schutz’s French 2000 Guineas winner Marhaba Ya Sanafi, while the home team’s representatives are Khalif and Fawzi Nass’ jockey. It’s carder.
Finally, jockey Charlie Appleby will race Canadian international champion Nations Pride & Highland Avenue, while Saeed Bin Suroor will ride last year’s winner Dubai Future & Real World. The race has important challenges for Godolphin.