“Déjà Vu” for Jason Watson as he comes from last-to-first on a grey to land £108,000 Listed honours in Bahrain

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com   

70 days ago, Jason Watson punched the air after crossing the line in front aboard popular grey Lord Glitters on his first-ever ride in Bahrain.  

Back at the Rashid Equestrian & Horseracing Club for the first time since winning the Group 3 Bahrain International Trophy, Watson landed another of Bahrain’s feature races, the Listed HRH Crown Prince’s Cup aboard another grey, Medal Winner, for trainer Husain Aldailami.

For the first time in its 40-year history, the HRH Crown Prince’s Cup had British horses in the field with Michael Bell, George Baker and John Ryan all attempting to win the £108,000 contest.

However, the finish was dominated by local trainers with Tawaareq, Rayounpour and Mars Landing chasing Medal Winner home.

Ace Rothstein (Michael Bell) was the best of the international challengers back in fifth under Ryan Moore.

Jason Watson only landed in Bahrain yesterday morning before the race and will be flying back to the UK in time to ride at Kempton Park today but was thrilled to win another big race in Bahrain.

Watson said: “It was a similar race to when I was last out here with Lord Glitters.

We ended up sitting out the back and they went pretty quickly in front. We were lucky to be sat behind other fancied runners and I got a good lead into the race.

With about a furlong to go, I pulled him out and he flew home. He was impressive in the end.

It was déjà vu from the International Trophy! I was very privileged to get asked to ride this horse and it wasn’t something I was going to turn down.

I’m pleased it all paid off.”

Elsewhere on the card, trainer Stan Moore celebrated his first-ever winner in Bahrain as Magical Wish held on to win the final race on the card, The Stewards Cup, under a strong ride from John Egan.

Moore’s other runner earlier on the card, Wonder Elzaam, finished 2nd in what proved a successful day for the Lambourn-based trainer.

Moore said:

“It’s brilliant for all the team. To win a race in any country is fantastic. He is a decent horse having won at Glorious Goodwood earlier in the year.

I’d like to return next season too.

We know the sort of horse that suits being in Bahrain, so we’ll hopefully get a little team together.”