TEAM BRITISH RACING REPRESENTATIVES LINE UP IN THE BAHRAIN INTERNATIONAL TROPHY
Team British Racing representatives line up for the 2023 running of the Bahrain International Trophy on 17th November at the Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club. ISRAR (GB) for John and Thady Gosden, SPIRIT DANCER (GB) for Richard Fahey and ASTRO KING for Daniel and Claire Kübler are entered.
It’s a truly international field with 14 participants from five different countries, and six of the intended runners already winners of either Group 1 or Group 2 races. This year’s renewal is more valuable than ever following an increase in the race’s value to $1M and the status of the race being upgraded to Group 2 level.
Astro King will be the first runner outside of Europe for Daniel and Claire Kübler, who train from Sarsen Farm in Lambourn. The recent winner of the Cambridgeshire Handicap at Newmarket in September was purchased in 2022 at the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale for 36,000 guineas.
Speaking to Great British Racing International (GBRI), Claire Kübler said:
“He [Astro King] is going to be our biggest runner outside of Europe which is incredible. It’s very exciting. It’s great having Bahrain putting on a race like this to attract international contenders and hopefully Astro King can put his best foot forward and do us proud.”
Spirit Dancer who won the Group 3 Strensall Stakes at York in August for trainer Richard Fahey will also line up in the contest on Friday. The six-year-old by Juddmonte Farm’s world-leading sire FRANKEL (GB) was bred by Sir Alex Ferguson and Niall McLoughlin and is owned by Peter Done, Sir Alex Ferguson and Jed Mason.
Richard Fahey spoke with GBRI ahead of the race at his yard in Malton, North Yorkshire :
“The target all season was Bahrain because it’s a million dollar race and a good opportunity in trip, track and everything will suit. Bahrain is an up-and-coming racing nation and they’re really, really pushing it. We were third in this race a couple of seasons ago.”
On Spirit Dancer’s chances, Fahey added:
“He’s a very laid back horse. When you go on about international runners, you’ve got to pick the right horse and this horse’s mind is great and I’m sure he’ll probably drive the plane back on the way home because he’s just so laid back. There’s no issues with him at all.”
John and Thady Gosden will be represented by Israr who runs in the famous blue and white silks of Shadwell. Under the guidance of Sheikha Hissa, Shadwell have enjoyed a fantastic season and were recently crowned Champion Owner in the UK.
Garrard, the official sponsor of Team British Racing, have created the Bahrain International Trophy presented to the winning owner since the inception of the race in 2019.