The Bahrain Horse Racing Authority has announced an important new addition to the global flat racing calendar, the Bahrain International Trophy, which will be run for the first time at the Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club in Bahrain on Friday 22 November 2019.
The event, which will carry a total prize fund of £200,000 (€222,000) and take place over 2000m around two turns of a right-handed turf course with a 600m ome straight, will be free to enter and carry a first prize of £100,000 (€111,000).
Entries will close on 8 October, with a supplementary stage ten days before the race, and there will be a maximum field size of 14 runners. In order to be eligible to take part, horses will have to be rated 95 or over by their domestic authorities on 12 November.
Shipment of invited horses will be arranged and paid for by the Bahrain Horse Racing Authority as will the upkeep costs of those horses while they are stabled in Bahrain.
Shaikh Salman bin Rashed Al Khalifa, Executive Director of Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club, said:
“On behalf of the Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club (REHC), I am very much looking forward to hosting leading owners and trainers from around the globe at the inaugural Bahrain International Trophy in November.”
“This first ever international race is an unprecedented event in the history of Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club and is testament to the enthusiasm and vision of both His Highness Shaikh Abdulla bin Isa Al Khalifa, High Committee Chairman of REHC and His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Deputy High Committee Chairman of REHC.”
“The foundation of the Bahrain International Trophy will begin a new chapter in the history of horseracing in the Kingdom of Bahrain and demonstrates the country’s determination to establish itself as a premier horse racing destination.”
“The race provides an opportunity to attract the attention of the global media and market Bahrain internationally as well as prove that REHC has the infrastructure and leadership required to stage a successful international sporting event.”
