Login
WATCH FREE
50+
International stars assemble for Bahrain’s landmark Group One
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Wed 28 Oct 2026
The 2026 running of the Bahrain International Trophy is shaping up to be an event worthy of its new Group 1 status. Run over 2000m with a prize fund of $1.5m (USD), the race has attracted a stellar cast of runners, with horses from France, Ireland, UAE and the United Kingdom booked to travel for what will be a landmark day in Bahrain as the Kingdom stages its first Group 1.
The 2026 Bahrain International Trophy takes place on Friday 13 November at the Rashid Equestrian & Horseracing Club. Intended runners include the Group 1 winner and the race’s defending champion, Royal Champion, dual Derby winner Lambourn and Wimbledon Hawkeye, runner-up in the Group 1 Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes and a subsequent Group 2 winner.
France is set to travel a powerful four-strong team, featuring representatives from the country’s racing dynasties. The squad is led by a duo trained by Andre and Lavinia Fabre in Phineas and Baroud, and joined by Zaydann, trained by Francis-Henri Graffard for the Aga Khan Studs, and Pearled Majesty, trained by Mauricio Delcher Sanchez for part-owner, Criquette Head.
Last year’s third placed horse, Military Order, will represent Godolphin and Charlie Appleby. Also flying in from Dubai will be Sallaal (pictured above), set to be a first Group 1 runner in his own name for trainer Ed Crisford. Carrying the colours of the late Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum, Sallaal is a progressive four-year-old and winner of his last three races.
The UK contingent is completed by two horses trained by Hugo Palmer; Glacius, a Grade 1 winner at Saratoga, and Seagulls Eleven, who finished just behind Wimbledon Hawkeye at Paris Longchamp on his last start and is owned by a syndicate made up of past and present players of Premier League football team Brighton and Hove Albion.
Two slots in the Bahrain International Trophy are reserved for domestically trained runners and these are set to be filled by Sovereign Spirit, a past winner of both HM The King’s Cup and HRH The Crown Prince’s Cup, and Hi Royal, previously placed in two European Classics and who enjoyed a successful 2025-26 season in Bahrain.
On the same day as the Bahrain International Trophy, the Rashid Equestrian & Horseracing Club will stage the first running of the Gulf of Bahrain Cup, an open handicap worth $400,000 (USD) run over 2800m (14-furlongs).
The race has attracted a truly international and competitive field, with several Stakes performers among the intended runners, including Karl Burke’s high-class stayer, Al Qareem, who will join stablemate and last year’s winner of the Bahrain International Trophy, Royal Champion, on the journey from Yorkshire to Bahrain.
Willie Mullins and Joseph O’Brien have two intended runners apiece. The Mullins trained pair are Gaucher and The Reverend, while O’Brien is set to saddle Emit and A Piece Of Heaven.
The only three-year-old in the frame for the Gulf of Bahrain Cup is Space Waltz, trained in France by Andre and Lavinia Fabre. Space Waltz has been a runner-up in both a Group 2 and a Group 3 and went through the sales ring at the Arqana Arc Sale in October where he was bought by Ace Stud for €1,150,000.
The domestically based horses in the Gulf of Bahrain Cup include Tarriance, a recent purchase from Andrew Balding’s yard by Al Adiyat Racing, now in the care of Daniel and Claire Kubler, who are also likely to saddle Westridge.
To view Intended Runners for the Bahrain International Trophy: click here
To view Intended Runners for the Gulf of Bahrain Cup: click here
Join Racing TV for FREE!
Related posts
Saturday ante-post tips: 20-1 and 6-1 chances among four selections
RaceiQ: the ten best jumpers over fences
Ballydoyle Breeders' Cup team: Sun Goddess to continue remarkable year
Constitution River, Benvenuto Cellini and Diamond Necklace to stay in training
Under The Radar: Liz Doyle's horses to follow
Featured offers
Bet £20 and Get £40 in Free Bets with Unibet
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
18+. GambleAware.org. New GB customers only. Min £20 debit card or instant banking transfer deposit. Place a £20+ bet on Horse Racing at min odds 2/5 (1.4) each leg for 4x £10 Free Bets (can be used on Racing Bet Builder). Claim within 30 days. Valid for Horse Racing only. Geographical restrictions and Further T&C’s apply
Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets + Money Back as a Free Bet if 2nd to SP Fav with BOYLE Sports
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
18+. New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. Account & Payment method restrictions apply. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP Address only. T&C's apply. 18+. IRE/NI & UK online only. Max Free Bet £/€10. Win or win part of e/w outright singles. 5+ runners. 1st bet on each race. Free/void/antepost bets don't qualify. In event of a dead heat, offer won’t apply. Applies to First Past the Post result. Unnamed 2nd Favs don’t qualify. Acc & Payment restrictions apply. T&Cs apply.
Bet £10 get £40 in free bets with Kwiff
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
New UK customers. Place a £10 real money bet at min. 2.0 odds within 5 days of deposit. Get 4 x £10 Free Bets: 1 Single, 2 Accas & 1 Bet Builder (min. 3 selections each). Excludes cashout, E/W, Multis, Ineligible Markets & Odds Boosts. Credited after bet settlement. 7-day expiry. T&Cs apply. 18+ GambleAware
Get 50% back up to £50 with QuinnBet
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
New UK Customers Only. Bet £10+ on any sportsbook markets at odds of evens (2.00) or greater. Get 50% back of your first day’s losses as a Free Bet up to £50, valid for 7 days. 18+ GambleAware.
Bet £10 get £30 in Free Bets with talkSPORT BET
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
New Customers. Opt in, deposit and bet £10+ on any horse racing markets within 7 days of sign up. Get 3 x £10 Free Bets for set horse racing markets. Bonuses expire in 7 days. T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. 18+ GambleAware
Copyright 2026 Racing TV - All Rights Reserved.
Please bet responsibly
Copyright 2026. All rights reserved