Royal Julius Defeats International Cast in Bahrain

Royal Julius, trained by Jerome Reynier in France, came out best in a thrilling finish of the Nov. 22 Bahrain International Trophy, the first event in the country to feature horses from overseas, at the Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club at Sakhir.

The race, run over 2,000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles) for a purse of £500,000 (US$641,668), featured nine challengers from Europe taking on four of the best locally trained runners. Rustang, representing champion trainer Allan Smith, appeared sure to keep the valuable prize in the kingdom.

After going to the front under jockey Lee Newman, a last-minute substitute for the injured Gerald Mosse, Rustang still held a lead of more than 10 lengths 400 meters (quarter-mile) from the finish and was six lengths clear entering the final 200 meters (furlong).

However, as the leader's stride began to shorten, the chasing pack closed in and Royal Julius was brought with a long, steady run on the outside under former French champion jockey Stephane Pasquier, which took them to the front in the final sixteenth of a mile.

Royal Julius claimed first prize and a magnificent solid silver trophy fashioned by Garrard for owner Jean-Jacques Biarese by three-quarters of a length from the John Gosden-trained Turgenev, who also did his best work in the late stages and overhauled Rustang by a head. Afaak, representing British trainer Charles Hills, finished a close fourth.

"The conditions were ideal for my horse, who needs a strong pace on good ground, and Stephane, who had never ridden him before, rode a brilliant race," said Reynier, who has been training for five years. "He had a wide draw, but that did not worry me because he was able to keep out of trouble before making his run in the straight. Royal Julius is a small horse, but he has a big heart and a great mind. That made all the difference today.

"I would like to thank everyone associated with the race for welcoming us to Bahrain so well."

Pasquier, one of seven international champion jockeys taking part in the race, added: "It has been exciting to ride in Bahrain, and I am delighted to have won the first edition of this important race."

Robert Havlin, rider of Turgenev for Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin operation, took the narrow defeat in stride.

"The pace was very quick from the start, but my horse showed plenty of spirit in the straight," he said. "This is a lovely track and it's been a great experience."

Reflecting on the success of the day, REHC vice chairman Sheikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa said: "It means everything to us to welcome top-class horses and their connections to the kingdom of Bahrain. After the success of Bahraini-owned horses this year at Royal Ascot, in France, and at the Breeder's Cup, it is only natural that we should host an important international race such as this.

"I wish to thank His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. He has always pushed us to progress Bahrain, and this was his brainchild. We are thrilled to be where we are in the international racing calendar, and we have long-term aspirations to stage more such races."

Sheikh Salman bin Rashed Al Khalifa, the REHC executive director, added: "We are all very happy with the result, and thanks go to our High Committee for making the event happen. It was a beautiful day. We will learn from the first experience, but it was satisfying that the horses trained in Bahrain put up such strong competition."

The event was staged in association with the locally based commercial partners Gulf Air, Bapco, and Batelco.

As well as being shown live locally on Bahrain TV, coverage of the feature race was broadcast to more than 60 countries through the U.K.-based Racecourse Media Group's distribution network, taking the event to regions throughout Europe and from the Caribbean to China and Australia.