Bahrain report: George Scott and Callum Shepherd record treble

Trainer George Scott and jockey Callum Shepherd enjoyed an evening to remember at the Rashid Equestrian & Horseracing Club in Bahrain, as the pair teamed up to land a hat-trick of wins, sealed with victory by Phantom Flight in the Al Adiyat Cup, round three in the Bahrain Turf Series.  

For trainer George Scott it was his fifth winner from nine runners in Bahrain this season, while for jockey Callum Shepherd it was his first visit to the Kingdom since Isle Of Jura’s successes last year, having spent a lengthy time out through injury.  

The third leg of their treble came in the $80,000 Al Adiyat Cup (sponsored by YBA Kanoo) when Phantom Flight, on his debut in Bahrain, wore down Sovereign Spirit in the closing stages, with last year’s winner, Zagato, back in third. Like Isle Of Jura before him, Phantom Flight was carrying the colours of HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s Victorious Racing.  

Earlier on the card, Scott and Shepherd had struck with Touch The Moon, also owned by Victorious Racing, and then City House. Reflecting on Phantom Flight’s success and the three winners, trainer George Scott said: “It has been a special evening for us. All credit to the team out here who have done all the hard work, it’s nice that I just get to turn up and put the saddles on! 

“Callum did great to get Phantom (Flight) up as it was a messy race. The horse showed his quality at the end. I was impressed with him. I had left a little bit to work on as I didn’t want him completely ready to roll tonight and he will be back here in two weeks for the Crown Prince’s Cup.”  

Jockey Callum Shepherd added: “Phantom Flight travelled very strong, probably a little bit fresh. I thought I was going to win quite cosily, but then a bit of rustiness showed as Sovereign Spirit got first run on us, but I really liked the resilience my horse showed when I asked him to dig in.  

“Isle Of Jura is a rock star and Phantom Flight is not quite there yet but he’s a really nice horse and the programme out here will suit him. It is exciting to have got off to the best possible start.” 

The sprint division, the Al Wasmiya Cup (sponsored by National Bank of Bahrain) run over the minimum trip of 1000m, went to the improving Ava Go Joe, who overhauled long-time leader and previous Bahrain Turf Series winner, Swift Asset.  

Ava Go Joe was ridden to victory by Ebrahim Nader, the leading rider in the Kingdom this season, and trained by Ali Jan. The seven-year-old has now won four races this season with this effort being a career best. Kiwano, trained by George Baker, did best of the international runners, finishing sixth.  

Ava Go Joe’s trainer, Ali Jan was pleasantly surprised by the result: “He is a very consistent horse and I was expecting a good run from him, but he is clearly improving with every race. He was already a good horse before this season, but this year we have made some changes and now we don’t know where the improvement will stop.”