Bahrain International Trophy: Burke and Beckett seek glory

Karl Burke believes Royal Champion is "the horse to beat " in the  $1million Bahrain International Trophy on Friday, which you can watch live on Racing TV (4.40pm). 

The eight runners comprise runners representing Britain, France, Ireland, the UAE and Bahrain, with the two horses attracting most attention from the media gathered in Bahrain are the British-trained pair, Royal Champion and Pride Of Arras. 

Royal Champion is trained by Karl Burke, who has an impressive 37 Stakes winners to his name in Europe this year.  In the absence of the injured Clifford Lee, Royal Champion will be ridden by James Doyle.

Speaking at the event for the race’s draw at the Four Seasons Hotel, Burke said of Royal Champion: “Based on his last couple of runs, you have to be very hopeful. If he could repeat either of those performances, I would say he is the horse to beat, but as we know it’s horseracing and a lot of things can happen. 

“I think the 2000 metres is the perfect trip for him and it’s very good prize money, so I am delighted that Sheikh Mohammed Obaid allowed me to bring him. It’s my first trip here and it’s a very impressive, beautiful place, with excellent facilities.”

At seven years of age, Royal Champion is the oldest runner in the field and with experience of racing in Australia as well as Europe, the best travelled well as well. The youngest and only three-year-old in the line-up is Pride Of Arras, trained by Ralph Beckett, who has only five careers starts to his name, but they include three victories and two at Group two level. 

At the draw event, Ralph Beckett was bullish about the chances of Pride Of Arras, who will be ridden by Rossa Ryan: “I think the galloping nature of the track here will suit him really well and the long, flat straight should suit him perfectly. He’s a horse whose work has always been very good, obviously things did not go so well at Epsom and the Curragh but gelding him, the cruellest cut, has made a difference and hopefully he will back up his last York effort. He shows a lot of speed, so I would not be concerned about the drop back in trip (to 2000m).”

Another horse who has been catching the eye since his arrival in Bahrain is the French runner, Bright Picture, the mount of Maxime Guyon. Richard Lambert, Travelling Head Person for legendary trainer Andre Fabre says of Bright Picture: “We are really happy with his condition. He has travelled really well and acclimatised easily, so we are very hopeful of a good run.”

Also thriving in the warm conditions is Galen, trained by Joseph O’Brien, who has been to the Middle East before and according to Tina Evans, Travelling Head Person for O’Brien, is pleased to be back: “He’s absolutely perfect, he’s enjoying the sun. Pat, who has been riding him, is delighted and we’re very hopeful. The horse enjoys travelling, he enjoys it all.”

Galen will be ridden by the recently crowned Irish champion jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle, fresh from his first success at the Breeders’ Cup in California. 

Oisin Murphy, will be on board Persica, for Richard Hannon, who is enjoying his first visit to Bahrain. Talking at the draw for the $1million race on Wednesday night, Richard Hannon said: “I think it’s a very exciting race, there’s a lot of horses in here that could win it and I think Persica could run a huge race.” 

“He’s in great form, he can be a little immature sometimes, but it’s ideal that the race is in the evening as he can get a little warm sometimes. Stall 7 is absolutely fine, he does not need to do anything early, he’s got a good turn of foot, and he’s in great nick.”

Completing the four-strong British trained contingent is Lion’s Pride, trained by John and Thady Gosden, and Robert Havlin will ride.

Thady Gosden said: “Lion’s Pride has not had the toughest season. He’s only run twice but after he won at Newmarket, Mr and Mrs Oppenheimer made the decision to bring him here. He’s a very well-bred horse from one of their great families, it’s his first time abroad and he’s taken it well so far. It’s a top-class field, as it should be, and Royal Champion is a Group 1 horse, so it won’t be easy.” 

Godolphin have been great supporters of the Bahrain International Trophy, although trainer Charlie Appleby is yet to win the race. 

This year Appleby is represented by Military Order, the mount of Godolphin’s retained rider, Willim Buick. Travelling Head Person, Chris Durham, said of Military Order: “He’s been in good form in Dubai. He’s a versatile horse and he can make it or sit in behind the pace. We would like to think there is more to come and he has a good chance.” 

Bahrain trainer Fawzi Nass saddles Calif, third in the race last year and who has returned to his care after a spell in Europe. Nass is looking forward to the challenge posed by the international runners: “The calibre of runners is strong, they are all very good horses. It’s a relatively small field, but I don’t think it is going to be tactical. I’m happy with Calif’s condition. Obviously, he didn’t have a good summer in Europe when he was running on heavy and soft ground in Germany and France, but I think he likes it in his hometown, he is in good form and Alberto Sanna rides.”