A field of eight runners contest the $1,000,000 Group 2 Bahrain International Trophy over a mile-and-a-quarter in the Kingdom on the Persian Gulf on Friday, 14 November. Chief among those entries dominated by British raiders are York winners in the grade Pride Of Arras and Royal Champion.
While it’s fair to say the big prize money on offer in the Middle East often attracts larger fields, some retired horses also had this as a target. We won’t see William Haggas’ Economics, Bahrain Triple Crown hero Isle Of Jura or defending champ Spirit Dancer. The latter won this race in both the last two seasons.
Since its introduction in 2019, the Bahrain International Trophy has often gone to older horses aged six and up. Karl Burke’s Royal Champion is yet to win a race abroad, but the seven-year-old son of Shamardal put in career best efforts on his last two outings. He landed the Group 2 York Stakes on the Knavesmire, turning over favourite Almaqam.
Royal Champion then only found Eclipse hero Delacroix and consistent top level performer Anmaat too good when third in the Irish Champion Stakes around Leopardstown. Off the back of such displays, it’s no wonder online bookies in the UK have him favourite for this. With regular jockey Clifford Lee injured, James Doyle now takes the ride.
In this race’s short history, just nine three-year-olds have tried to win it. From that younger generation, who receive 3lb weight for age from their elders, Ralph Beckett supplements Pride Of Arras for $20,000. This New Bay gelding scored twice at York this season, first in the Dante Stakes and later the Great Voltigeur over further under a penalty.
Big British Yards Chance Their Arms
Pride Of Arras flopped in both the Epsom and Irish Derbies over the summer, but perhaps needed the cruellest cut of all to settle him down. Off just five career starts, he’s open to the most progress in the entire Bahrain International Trophy field. That Dante form looks good, because the second, third and fourth have all also won races since.
In receipt of weight all-round, Pride Of Arras is an attractive alternative to Royal Champion for punters seeking value on horse racing betting sites for this contest. Away from York form, two powerful Newmarket yards saddle runners here. Godolphin aim All-Weather expert Military Order at this valuable prize.
Charlie Appleby’s five-year-old just isn’t as effective on turf, but went close in Haydock and Windsor Group 3s over the summer. Unlike Royal Champion, who has proven himself away from synthetic surfaces, Military Order hasn’t won on grass for two-and-a-half years. Lion’s Pride also runs for the John & Thady Gosden stable.
Also five, he was behind Military Order at Kempton in the spring, but did chase home Kalpana there in the 2024 September Stakes. Lion’s Pride beat Bahrain Triple Crown winner Isle Of Jura some seven lengths in Listed company over a mile-and-a-half on home turf at Newmarket last time, which punched his ticket here.
Persica from Richard Hannon’s yard completes the British contingent. A dual Group 3 winner with cut in the ground this season, the four-year-old colt shares a sire with Pride Of Arras. Oisin Murphy is an eye-catching jockey booking, but Persica looks unlikely to get the easier underfoot conditions he relishes in the Middle East. His form since landing the Diomed Stakes around Epsom has rather tailed off.
Calif Back for Third Run in Bahrain International Trophy
Last season’s third Calif returns for another crack at this as a six-year-old. Connections split his training between Europe and the Middle East. Calif, a gelding by Areion, placed in the last two editions of the Neom Turf Cup in Saudi Arabia. He has also raced in Hong Kong, finishing third in the QEII Cup out there.
While his latest European campaign isn’t much to write home about, he did win a German Group 1 over the trip in 2024. There is a question if he retains his old ability based on a recent run back there and his latest effort in France, though. Calif provides local interest for Bahrani handler Fawzi Abdulla Nass.
⭕ #ParisLongchamp – Qatar Prix Dollar (Gr II)
First Look (Lope de Vega) décroche son 1er Groupe 2 sous les couleurs de Wathnan Racing. Entraîné par A. Fabre et monté par M. Barzalona, il devance Bay City Roller et Bright Picture. #Qatar @Q_REC pic.twitter.com/kfeyFuznzM— France Galop (@francegalop) October 4, 2025
Andre Fabre has French raider Bright Picture going over for the Bahrain International Trophy. This four-year-old Intello gelding has had just eight starts and beat the mighty Calandagan last season en route to landing the 2024 Prix Eugene Adam. The form of his Prix Dollar third to stable companion First Look received a boost when the runner-up, Bay City Roller, came out and won a Group 1 in Germany.
Last, but not least, Joseph O’Brien ensures Irish representation courtesy of Galen. Also four, this son of Gleneagles runs in a first-time visor. A change of headgear could help Galen. When O’Brien fitted him with cheekpieces, he downed subsequent Coronation Cup hero Jan Brueghel in the Alleged Stakes this spring.
Galen couldn’t go the pace in his races at Meydan last winter over nine furlongs, so this slightly longer trip should help. He does need the new tack to eke out further improvement, though, for all he wasn’t disgraced during Royal Ascot when runner-up in the ultra-competitive Wolferton Stakes under a penalty.
Bahrain International Trophy 2025 Shortlist & Verdict
It could be worth chancing the lighter raced runners here. PRIDE OF ARRAS still hasn’t reached his ceiling and proved he stays further last time. Connections stumping up cash to put him in the race means they expect a big run. Royal Champion is the right favourite, but his record overseas is a concern.
Elsewhere, Bright Picture could be each-way value if building on his placed effort in the Prix Dollar. Lion’s Pride can’t be ignored either on his defeat of Isle Of Jura. Galen needs the change of headgear to work, Calif must recapture his best form quickly, and Military Order has plenty to prove on turf, while Persica could struggle.
WATCH: 2024 Bahrain International Trophy
