Reynier was confident about win

French trainer Jerome Reynier was quietly confident heading into yesterday’s Bahrain International Trophy, and his horse Royal Julius lived up to all expectations with a sensational and historic victory. Reynier said that everything was done to best prepare the six-year-old winner for the spectacle at Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club, and his efforts paid off as Royal Julius made a blistering charge down the home straight to take first place in a thrilling finish “The horse was in very good shape,” said Marseille-based Reynier after receiving the stunning winner’s trophy alongside Royal Julius’s owner JeanJacques Biarese and jockey Stephane Pasquier.

“His morning rider, who did not come and preferred to watch it on TV from France, was very confident. He said the horse walked really well eight days ago. And then here, we’ve just been doing some small pieces of canter, but the horse was in good shape. He did travel really well and we were quite hopeful for the race.” Reynier added that he was not worried about being drawn 11th for the starting gate, given the layout of the turf course at REHC. “It is quite a tight turn to the finish, with a long straight to come from behind,” he explained.

“Some pace in the race because everyone wants to get a good position as the first turn came quite quickly. “We were drawn 11 but we were not very worried about anything. We knew we were going to be able to come back. A good place would have been very good but we were hoping to win.” Reynier noted that a two-month break prior to coming to Bahrain, following a long and competitive season, was essential to Royal Julius’s preparations. “As soon as they said that this race was going to be at this time of the year, with these kinds of conditions, we planned everything to prep him the best we can,” said Reynier.

“That’s why I left him two months off before the race, just to get a bit of freshness because he had raced in Doha in February, then again elsewhere in May, June, July, August, and September in Milan, so he needed at least two months break.” Reynier expressed his delight in competing in the Bahrain International Trophy, which he said was scheduled at an ideal time in the year. He added that they are already looking forward to their programme for next year. “We are very happy to be here, we have been welcomed really well and everything was well set up with good organisation,” he said. “Everything was good for the horse,” he added.

“It’s a really good spot for the race being in mid-November. In Europe, there are no more good races. Our horse was just perfect for here. “Now he will be back at the end of February, so we will see how he feels and depending on the opposition as well.” With yesterday’s result, Royal Julius claimed his sixth win from 31 runs and he added to his accumulated pre-Bahrain career earnings of GBP469,000. He continued his recent fine run of form, having placed in the top five of now nine consecutive races.

Reynier graduated from the Darley Flying Start, and he worked initially as a bloodstock agent for two years. After becoming the private trainer for Ecurie Camacho Courses, he opened his stable to the public in 2013 and saddled his first winner in April of that year. Jockey Pasquier is a leading French rider.

He has won Group 1 races all over Europe and his feature wins included the 2006 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on Rail Link, the 2018 Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) on Study of Man, and the 1,000 Guineas on Special Duty in 2010. He also won the Breeders’ Cup Mile in the States on Karakontie in 2014.