Doors open for series racing in Bahrain and Uruguay

The Bahrain Turf Series has opened and its trainer Gavin Cromwell had his 4yo filly Snellen as the first ever Irish trained winner in Bahrain, with victory in the $80,000 Al Muharraq Cup.

A winner of the 2yo Cheshire Stakes at Royal Ascot, she was Irishman’s Gavin Cromwell’s first runner in the Middle East with the 2000m race opening middle-distance event of the season.

In this her first attempt at the distance, Snellen came off the pace with jockey Gary Carroll weaving his way through the sixteen-runner field to win going away by 1¾ lengths in 2:02.33sec.

Back in second was Majestic for trainer Jack Channon and David Probert, with third to fellow internationals Lion Of War for Charlie Johnston third, and Box To Box for Hugo Palmer fourth.

In reflection Gavin Cromwell stated “She didn’t break very well and Gary took her back and rode her for luck, getting the splits and she was really good, and certainly showed a turn of foot.”

“The plan is to run again here in two weeks’ time,” while Gary Carroll said “It’s great to have a winner here in Bahrain, it’s a lovely track, and it’s so nice we will be back for plenty more.”

“She does have a bit of class about her, and going on four now she’s got bigger and stronger and loves fast ground, and as I got a lovely run through all the gaps that came at the right time.”

In being home-bred by Lindsay Loroche, Snellen is by the Breeders’ Cup Turf Mile winner Expert Eye, family of Novellist and Magical Lagoon from the winning Sea The Moon mare Illumined.

The Jaber Ramadhan trained Swift Asset gave the locals a clean sweep in the opening Turf Series Sprint event, the 1000m Al Manama Cup, and jockey Abdulrahim Jassim his first Series victory.

With the first four placings being locally trained, the best of the 8-strong international visitors was Roman Dragon, trained by Hugo Palmer in fifth, and James Ferguson with Jubilee Walk sixth.

After the race winning rider Abdulrahim Jassim, said “It’s my first Bahrain Turf Series win and really means a lot, as looking to these races and to win one is special feeling blessed and grateful.”

Formally trained in the UK by Richard Hannon, trainer Jaber Ramadhan said of Swift Asset “We kept him for this day because it’s very exciting to win such a big race with so many quality horses.”

With this Bahrain Turf Series now run under installed floodlights, the new international programme of six sprint and six middle-distance races is now worth $1million and $80,000 in bonuses.

Across the globe in South America its news that Uruguay now has the Asociación Uruguaya de Propietarios de Caballos de Carrera of 1600m as a Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series 2025 race.

To be held on 29 June at the Hipodromo Nacional de Maronas in Montevideo, its designated as an automatic qualifier for the Big Ass Fans Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Del Mar on 1 November.

“Breeders’ Cup Ltd is pleased to bring our international Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series to Uruguay,” said Dora Delgado, Executive Vice President & Chief Racing Officer of the Breeders’ Cup.”

“With the addition of Asociación Uruguaya de Propietarios de Caballos de Carrera, its now a qualifier for the Big Ass Fans Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile and Breeders’ Cup World Championships.”

“We appreciate the many individuals who have collaborated to make this partnership a reality and look forward to celebrating the first Breeders’ Cup Challenge winner from Uruguay in June.”

In appreciation Guido Parrella, CEO of Codere Uruguay, stated “It’s with great pleasure and gratitude to the Breeders’ Cup authorities that having a race in the “Win and You’re In” Series in 2025, especially for the Dirt Mile version.”