Royal Champion retains Bahrain International Trophy crown

Royal Champion won the first ever Group One held in Bahrain as he followed up last year’s success in the Bahrain International Trophy.

Watch a full replay of the 2026 Bahrain International Trophy

On a historic day for the Kingdom of Bahrain, as it staged its first Group 1 race, it was a case of deja-vu as Royal Championrepeated his success of 2025 to win a second Bahrain International Trophy. However, there was added poignancy to the victory as whereas last year jockey Clifford Lee was in hospital recovering from a near fatal accident, this time he was reunited with RoyalChampion and steered him to an impressive success, the rider’s first Group 1 win since his return to action in April. 

The $1.5million (USD) Group 1 Bahrain International Trophy had attracted the finest field ever assembled for a race in Bahrain but even against stronger opposition Royal Champion was too strong at the finish, having travelled powerfully throughout. 

The runner-up was Zaydann, who stayed on well to take second in the colours of the Aga Khan Studs for trainer Francis-Henri Graffard, with fellow French raider Baroud in third for the training combination of André and Lavinia Fabre. 

It was a fine training performance by Karl Burke to bring Royal Champion back to Bahrain in even better form than twelve months ago following a difficult year training the horse. 

Speaking after the race, trainer Karl Burke said: “I wasn’t expecting that to be honest. When he came back from Hong Kong in the spring, he was pretty sick and we had to give him a lot of time off.  I thought I may have made a mistake running him in the summer at York and after that it was stop-start with him. 

“It’s only in the last three or four weeks that I have been happy with him. I didn’t get the chance to take him away for a gallop or anything like that. Last year he came here off the back of a good run in the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes and all we had to do was keep him fresh and well, but I came out early this week to get a little bit of work into him on Tuesday morning. All credit to the horse, he’s absolutely bolted up today. 

“As for Cliff [Lee), I am delighted for him. He had a real tough time last year and he was, no exaggeration to say, millimetres from being dead. He's a tough lad and has come through a lot. It's all credit to him. He is a fit, strong lad and a good rider.”

The winning rider Clifford Lee said: “It’s unbelievable really. I’d like to thank Karl, the boss, for giving me these opportunities and all the team. It’s fantastic.” 

Before the feature event, the Bahrain International Trophy, the first running of the Gulf of Bahrain Cup took place. The 2800m handicap with a prize fund of $400,000 (USD) produced a thrilling race with Beylerbeyi delivered late by jockey Edward Greatex to deny the gallant top-weight Dubai Future, for trainer Saeed bin Suroor, with Tarriance, in the colours of Al Adiyat Racing, finishing a close third on his debut run for Daniel and Claire Kubler

Beylerbeyi was the only UK trained runner in the fourteen-runner field and had been well-prepared by Ian Williams as the horse is known to be a character and takes some getting to know. 

Speaking after the race, a delighted Ian Williams, said of Beylerbeyi: “He's a talented horse but he will not relax. He won't settle and it's a tough job riding him, but he's come up with some great performances when things go his way - and today things went his way. 

“Was it an easy watch? The last stride it was, but it wasn't until then. All executed to plan, though maybe not as handy as we wanted to be early on. He had a lot to do turning in, but ultimately, he is a stayer, and that is what he has done. It was a great performance from the horse and a good performance from the jockey as well.” 

The full result of the 2026 Bahrain International Trophy can be viewed here.