Royal Champion swoops for Burke and Doyle in Bahrain

Royal Champion ruled supreme over the field to capture the Bahrain International Trophy for Karl Burke, getting up in the final strides to deny Galen’s bid to make all the running.

The 15-8 favourite travelled well in a handy position throughout the mile-and-a-quarter Group Two feature, producing a finishing burst that has encouraged his trainer – who was putting the seal on a fantastic year – to try him over a longer trip in 2026.

When Galen kicked away over a furlong out he looked the likely winner, only for James Doyle to produce a masterstroke when he uncorked the Sheikh Mohammed Obaid-owned seven-year-old, who scored by three-quarters of a length.

Burke said: “James gave him a great ride. We wanted to get him settled and into a good rhythm. I told James it would take him a hundred metres to really find his stride, and while I thought we were beat a furlong and a half out, he had it under control. This horse stays well, and he’s tough.”

The success was a third in the last four years in the race for North Yorkshire-based trainers and Burke added: “You can never expect everything to go right. He takes a long time to get going and we only did it on the last few strides. I didn’t want them to crawl, and as he runs very well when fresh I didn’t want to bring him down here and do too much.

“He’s quite exuberant and nervy and I think it will be well worth a try running him over a mile and a half next year.”

Doyle was quick to thank Clifford Lee who has ridden Royal Champion on his previous six starts.

“I think the first person who should be mentioned first is Clifford Lee. He’s been a big part of this horse’s life and he can’t be here riding him tonight but we wish him a full recovery and I hope I did Cliff will be proud of the ride I gave Royal Champion.

“As a horse, he’s so straightforward. He was just getting himself balanced on this track and then once we levelled up in the straight, he was always going to get there, and he pricked his ears when he saw the cameras. It was an enjoyable last furlong. 

“I have been very fortunate to have come to Bahrain to ride for many a year and it’s fantastic to finally win this race. I was just touched off a few years back on an old friend of mine in Barney Roy. It’s a fantastic race, really gathering momentum and you could see that by the strength in depth of the field today.”

The runner-up, beaten three-quarters of a length, was the longtime front runner Galen, trained by Joseph O’Brien and ridden by Dylan Browne McMonagle, with Military Order staying on into third for trainer Charlie Appleby and jockey William Buick. 

Meanwhile, Joseph O’Brien praised Dylan Browne McGonagle for the ride he gave runner-up Galen.

He said: “Our horse quickened it up well and I thought we had it, the winner found what was required but I’m proud of the way Galen ran. He’s a high-class horse on his day.”

Godolphin’s Military Order stayed on well down the centre of the track to finish an honourable third, just half a length off the second, but Pride Of Arras was put in his place after trying to mount a challenge on Galen, weakening into fourth under Rossa Ryan.

Yusuf Buheji, CEO of the Bahrain Turf Club said: “Congratulations to owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum, trainer Karl Burke and jockey James Doyle following Royal Champion’s exciting victory in the 2025 Bahrain International Trophy. 

“We are very proud of how the Bahrain International Trophy has developed and once again the race attracted a high-quality international field, with many of the world’s best jockeys.  The crowd on course and those watching around the world were treated to a thrilling race under the floodlights at the Rashid Equestrian & Horseracing Club.

“I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the international participants who have supported the race and contributed to enhancing the profile of racing in Bahrain. I would also like to thank our commercial partners and stakeholders, without whom the remarkable progress we have made would not have been possible.

“We are already looking forward to 2026 and further establishing the Bahrain International Trophy as a significant event in the global racing calendar.”