Bahrain International Trophy awarded Group One status

The 2026 running of the Bahrain International Trophy will be a Group 1 race with a prize fund of $1.5million following an upgrade in the event’s status and an increase in prize money. 

This year’s race takes place on Friday 13 November at the Rashid Equestrian & Horseracing Club and following its promotion the 2026 Bahrain International Trophy will be the first Group 1 race to be staged in the country. Established in 2019, the ten-furlong (2000m) race is the most valuable in Bahrain and over the course of its seven runnings has climbed the ladder to Group 1 status. 

His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Bahrain Turf Club, said: 

“This is a proud moment for The Kingdom of Bahrain. When we established the Bahrain International Trophy in 2019 it was always our ambition and belief that the race would grow to become our first Group 1 race. To have achieved that after only seven years is fantastic. “Bahrain’s vision for horseracing is rooted in international collaboration, long-term development and a clear ambition to continue elevating the country’s status within the global racing landscape. 

 “The embodiment of this strategy is the Bahrain International Trophy, now promoted to Group 1 status. I would like to thank all those who have supported the race in the past and we are looking forward to welcoming more visitors and more world-class horses for the 2026 Bahrain International Trophy.”

As the calibre of horse running in the Bahrain International Trophy has increased, so has the profile of the race. Recent notable victors include the first two-time winner of the race, Spirit Dancer, in 2023 and 2024, and Royal Champion, a subsequent Group 1 winner for trainer Karl Burke and currently one of the world’s top-rated horses. 

Yusuf Buheji, CEO of the Bahrain Turf Club added:  

“The Bahrain International Trophy is our flagship race and its promotion to Group 1 status represents a significant step in the development of horseracing in Bahrain. As well as the Bahrain International Trophy, the rest of our programme of premier races continues to grow, further increasing opportunities for international horses to compete throughout the season.”