The Bahrain International Trophy (G3) seeks to continue its positive trajectory and growing footprint on the global racing scene Nov. 18 when 10 contenders trained in five countries clash over 10 good-to-firm furlongs at Bahrain Turf Club. A group 3 for the second consecutive year, the $712,695 affair has been won by runners from three nations in as many editions, including England's popular multiple group 1 winner Lord Glitters in 2021.
Contenders have already assembled on site, with 12 entered and two subsequent defections. Chief among those defections was Shadwell's Owen Burrows-trained Alflaila, who was expected to go favored on the strength of a smart win in Newmarket's Masar Darley Stakes (G3) on Oct. 8. Suffering a small fracture to his left fore fetlock after a routine canter Nov. 14, the triple stakes-winning son of Dark Angel is expected to fully recover.
"He's had successful surgery, and he'll hopefully be good to return home in a few weeks," Burrows said. "He's been excellently looked after by the Baker McVeigh team on site. It's just very frustrating so close to the race, but the main thing is that the surgery went well and he's OK."
It would not be a race of global significance without the ever-dangerous Godolphin yard of Charlie Appleby invading and such is the case once again. Second last year with multiple group 1 winner Barney Roy, the conditioner of two consecutive Breeders' Cup meeting trebles, is represented by the consistent and capable Royal Fleet. No stranger to group 3 glory in the Middle East, the son of Dubawi was a nose victor in February's 10-furlong Dubai Millennium Stakes Presented by Lincoln (G3) at Meydan and enters off a second in Newmarket's National Stud Welcomes Stradivarius James Seymour Stakes.
William Buick, fresh off victories in the FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile Presented by PDJF (G1T) with Modern Games and Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1T) with Mischief Magic, will ride the six-time winner from the outermost post 10.
"Conditions are there to suit (Royal Fleet)," Appleby said. "We're glad to be once again participating in the Bahrain International, and they go a gallop for a mile and a quarter there, and he gets that well. He has to step up a little bit to be tip-top and put himself on the winner's podium. He deserves to be in the race, doesn't look out of place, and if we get a bit of luck around there, who knows?"
Godolphin will also be represented by Royal Ascot's Wolferton Stakes winner Dubai Future (Danny Tudhope, post 3) and Davies Insurance Services Gala Stakes winner Passion and Glory (Richard Kingscote, post 4)—both trained by Saeed bin Suroor—as well as Andre Fabre-conditioned 7-year-old Magny Cours (Mickael Barzalona, post 5), a gelded son of Medaglia d'Oro who got the shortest end of the three-way photo-finish stick in this last year and was third in Mystic Guide 's 2021 Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1).
Dubai Future and Magny Cours appear to have the stronger claims, with the latter entering off an easy win in inferior Chantilly company.
Listed DRC Classic winner DUBAI FUTURE stretching his legs on the turf @bahrainturfclub this morning.
— Dubai Racing Club (@RacingDubai) November 16, 2022
The 6yo runs in the G3 Bahrain Trophy on Friday for Saeed Bin Suroor.#bahraintrophy #DWCCgrads pic.twitter.com/xAKH6Q7glX
The Bahraini flag-fashioned red and white colors of locally based Victorious Racing and trainer Fawzi Nass, who comprises 25% of the ownership, upset the Bahrain International Trophy in 2020 with an acquired former Aga Khan color-bearer in Simsir—his first start for the team. Two years on, they have gone back to the same well, acquiring Dilawar, a group 3-winning 5-year-old son of Dubawi and 2015 Dubai Sheema Classic Presented by Longines (G1) winner Dolniya. Last seen finishing fifth in Deauville's Prix Gontaut Biron Hong Kong Jockey Club (G3) in August, the four-time winner was a smart fourth in ParisLongchamp's Prix d'Ispahan (G1) in May behind Breeders' Cup Mile 12th Dreamloper.
Frankie Dettori rides from post 1.
"He arrived from France about a month ago," Nass said. "I wouldn't say he's fully adapted yet, as he still has a French coat, but he is moving well and training well. The Dubawis obviously go on any ground, especially fast ground, so that will be good for him.
"He's a better horse than Simsir, for sure, but whether we got him right or not, we'll soon find out—that's why I booked Frankie, so I can blame him," he concluded with a laugh.
Ireland will be represented by hard-knocking 5-year-old mare Insinuendo, last seen finishing a fine third in the QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (G1T), but may prefer softer ground than she will receive. The Willie McCreery-trained group 2 winner must be respected and sports arguably the best group form, having been second to group 1 winners Above the Curve, Mother Earth, and Luxembourg earlier this season.
Additionally, the 107-rated daughter of Gleneagles will sell at the Tattersalls December Mare Sale 2022, with this likely being her final run for current connections. Oisin Orr rides from post 7.
"She's been in great form since she got here and is enjoying herself," McCreery said. "She traveled well. We are happy with the draw. It will be bittersweet (to sell her), but she has given us some great days."
Monty (Gerald Mosse, post 9) and Riocorvo (Olivier Peslier, post 2), first and second in September's La Coupe de Maisons-Laffitte (G3), are the second and third representatives from France and would not be a shock to give the country its second winner of the race, following inaugural 2019 victor Royal Julius.
Norway will be represented by Niels Petersen-trained King David (Oliver Wilson, post 8), winner of four stakes in 2022 in Scandinavia, but unable to factor in three Dubai World Cup Carnival outings prior, while locally trained Pensiero d'Amore (Alberto Sanna, post 6), a group 2-placed former Marco Botti trainee, completes the field. Another locally based entry, Litigator, was the aforementioned second scratch on Wednesday morning.
Post time is set for 4:05 p.m. local time, approximately 8:05 a.m. ET
