Fergie time as Spirit Dancer storms home in Bahrain feature

Spirit Dancer quickened up impressively to give owner and breeder Sir Alex Ferguson a famous victory in the Bahrain International Trophy.

The former Manchester United manager already had a special place in his affections for the Richard Fahey-trained six-year-old, having sent the unraced dam Queen’s Dream to Frankel.

While he has taken time to reach his full potential, this summer saw him win three in a row, including the Group Three Strensall Stakes at York, which booked his ticket for this contest, worth £500,000 to the winner.

Spirit Dancer was not among the favourites due to the class of the opposition, which included Charlie Appleby’s Grade One winner Nations Pride, Saeed bin Suroor’s 2022 Queen Anne runner-up Real World, Israr for the Gosdens and Aidan O’Brien’s Point Lonsdale.

All the main protagonists had their chance but none had an answer to Spirit Dancer, who when Oisin Orr unleashed him down the outside put the race to bed in a matter of strides.

Ferguson was understandably delighted, telling Racing TV: “That is the best ever, without doubt. Against all the pedigrees and form of all the other horses – that’s fantastic, I couldn’t believe it.

“Richard said to leave it to the jockey, he’ll be all right.

“I was terrified looking at all the other people involved in this race. Godolphin had five horses in it. That was great, I’m so proud. I said to the jockey ‘remember, he’s a Frankel’.

"Godolphin, O’Brien, Fabre they’ve all got horses here. And we are just a wee stable from Yorkshire. It was a fantastic performance. He won well.

“When he hit the front, Ged just jumped on me! 100 yards out he looked like he was going to win but I didn’t want to count my chickens. I was just praying and he carried me over the line with him. He won well, won easy.”

Orr said: “I got a lovely sit the whole race and I always felt I had plenty of horse underneath me. I couldn’t believe how well he quickened in the straight, he’s won well.

“He had good form coming here, maybe he just needed his last run a little but he’s come back to his best today.”

His Highness Shaikh Isa Bin Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Rashid Equestrian & Horseracing Club, said:

“Congratulations to the owners of Spirit Dancer, including Sir Alex Ferguson and Ged Mason, following Spirit Dancer’s victory in the 2023 Bahrain International Trophy.

It was a thrilling race to watch and in terms of quality it was the best horse race ever staged in the Kingdom. I am also delighted to say it was witnessed by the largest audience yet in the race’s five-year history, both from the perspective of those present at the Club and those watching around the world in the 110 countries where the race was broadcast."

He added: “We are very proud of how the Bahrain International Trophy has grown, and I extend sincere thanks to the international participants who have supported the race and assisted in raising awareness of racing in Bahrain. I would also like to thank our commercial partners, Bapco Energies, Beyon, The Bahrain Economic Development Board, and our official timekeeper, Chopard, without whom the progress we have made would not have been possible.

“We are already looking forward to 2024 and the hope that it can match this year’s running.”