Sir Alex Ferguson: it’s great to be back in Bahrain

Sir Alex Ferguson has hailed the development and progress of horse racing in Bahrain as the football legend and owner and breeder of Spirit Dancer hopes for successive victories in the Bahrain International Trophy on Friday, live on Racing TV.

The Kingdom’s marquee race – with a prize fund of $1million this year - has been upgraded to Group Two level and Spirit Dancer will be joined by a host of high-class challengers from Europe at the Rashid Equestrian & Horseracing Club, including three-time international Group One winner Nations Pride and multiple Group scorers Alflaila, Point Lonsdale and Lead Artist. 

Spirit Dancer has been assigned the same berth in stall 11 that he broke from for big-race success last year and, while Ferguson is hopeful, he is mostly pleased to be back in the Kingdom for the big event. 

“Well, last year was an exceptional year for us,” Ferguson told Frankie Foster of #Raceday.

“We know we have a good horse, but when he delivers what he did last year for us that's special. 

“Even though it was a bad draw, the jockey was in a great position and it was a great victory. 

“I thought two furlongs out he was going to win. He was travelling so well, all the rest were running along. So it was great to see, it really was. The pedigree is fantastic, Frankel, it’s a fantastic pedigree.”

Ferguson is full of praise for how the Bahrain Turf Club organise their big race and cater for international owners and, given the progress of the programme and racing infrastructure in the Kingdom, he expects big things in the next decade. 

“You can see how Bahrain is developing a year on. The change is amazing,” added Ferguson.

“The Bahrain experience last year was fantastic, they looked after us so well. 

“And what I see now is the development. There are a lot of improvements in Bahrain. I think in ten years' time, this will be the biggest I'll do in my life.”

Ferguson bred Spirit Dancer in Hemel Hempstead in an operation that started around six years ago and last year’s success was arguably his best in many years’ involvement in horse racing, though the jumps is also close to his heart as underlined by recent high-profile acquisitions Regents Stroll and Caldwell Potter, both trained by Paul Nicholls. 

Ferguson said: “We went to Aintree a few years prior to [last year] where we won three Grade Ones in a row, [that has] never been done before. 

“I think the excitement of one of your horses winning the big races, it doesn’t matter when or where it was, it always holds strong in your memory. So we've been lucky that way, we've had good trainers and good horses. 

“Last year was our first win ever at Cheltenham. We nearly had the treble up! So it was a great occasion. Cheltenham is different, it's our Wembley in horse racing. So to get a win there is something. 

“When you buy a horse like Regents Stroll and Caldwell Potter, and you spend a lot of money, your assessment before you buy is about the Gold Cup. 

“I can tell you without question that our other partner, John Hales, has never won the Gold Cup. He's come second three or four times. So it will be special for John and he identified why we should buy Regents Stroll and Caldwell Potter. 

“We're optimistic about them, they are looking great!