Spirit Dancer returns for the Bahrain International Trophy

The first time under lights, its 12 horses who line-up for the Group 2 $US 1 million Bahrain International Trophy that sees the return of last year’s winner Spirit Dancer

With runners from six different racing jurisdictions world-wide including three Group 1 winners, its last year’s winner Spirit Dancer who returns for his legendary part-owner Sir Alex Ferguson.

As the nine internationals have settled into their new stabling at the Rashid Equestrian & Horseracing Club, its Sir Alex and co-owners Ged Mason, Peter Done who return for a repeat victory.

With Spirit Dancer giving Sir Alex Ferguson ‘my best ever feeling in racing, without question’ with last year’s win, it was ‘fantastic, I’m absolutely delighted’ when next the $2m Neon Turf Cup.

In fact, following this victory Sir Alex stated “Richard made the point he hasn’t had a lot of racing, and I think we see the evidence today, while Oisin said the horse is improving all the time.”

Now with Spirit Dancer amassing £1.7 million in prize money, and again in the hands of British champion Oisin Murphy for Richard Farley, he’s coming off a 1¼ mile opener at Newmarket.

An again will Sir Alex again need to remind Oisin Murphy at the pre-race parade that ‘remember, he’s by Frankel’ as Sir Alex bred Spirit Dancer, being by Frankel from the family of Gr1 Querari.

Jockey Kieran Shoemark jets-in to again ride last start Darley Stakes winning 3yo Lead Artist for training-pair John and Thady Gosden, who also won the Thoroughbred Stakes for Juddmonte.

Again, it’s the Arlington Million winner Nations Pride who opposes Spirit Dancer for Charlie Appleby and Godolphin, having been second in the Manhattan Stakes, again ridden by William Buick.

The Lambourne based Owen Burrows will again have stable jockey Jim Crowley on his back-to back York Stakes winner Alflaila for owner breeders Shadwell Estates, and sired by Dark Angel.

The Aidan O’Brien trained Point Lonsdale, who was third in last year’s race and again the mount of Ryan Moore, is coming off a third in the Doncaster Cup, having won the Ormonde Stakes.

Representing France is the Carlos and Yann Lerner Group 1 winning 5yo Calif, the mount of Adrie de Vries, who in July took the Grosser Dallmayr-Preis, and earlier won the Prix de La Coupe.

Also from France, Francis Henri Graffard will again have his Prix Bertrand de Tarragon winner Andromede ridden by Christophe Soumillon, having been second in the Prix Daniel Wildenstein.

As with moder day international racing, cannot be without a Japanese runner and it’s the Deep Impact sired mare Yamanin Sympa who’ll be ridden by Taisei Danno for trainer Takashi Saito.

In addition to floodlights, the nation’s most valuable race will have a global television audience with 23 broadcasters, with coverage in Europe via Racing TV, Sky Sports Racing and Equidia.

“We are delighted that all corners of the globe will be able to watch the Bahrain International, which is befitting of the global nature of the race,” said Yusuf Buheji, of the Bahrain Turf Club.

“In its such high standing in the international racing and social calendar, we like to thank RMG and its agency HBA Media, for securing such significant and meaningful television coverage.”

In following, Seb Vance, Director of Communications and International TV Distribution at RMG said “RMG is honoured to be working closely with the Bahrain Turf Club for its sixth season.”

“Through our production, distribution and marketing partnerships, and along with our agency HBA Media, we are delighted the Bahrain International Trophy will again enjoy such terrific exposure, and look forward to delivering another world-class event to audiences around the globe.”