Byline shines in horseracing opener

TDT | Manama    

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Byline triumphed for Al Adiyat Racing to lift the Late His Highness Shaikh Rashid bin Isa Al Khalifa Cup in yesterday’s feature event as the 2023/2024 national horseracing season kicked off at Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club (REHC) in Sakhir.

Byline won the seventh and penultimate contest on the eight-race card, with each event being held in honour and in memory of the Late HH Shaikh Rashid and all the cups bearing his name.

Race seven was held over 1,600 metres with BD5,000 in total prize money. Ridden by Lee Newman, the AM Smithtrained six-year-old gelding took the victory ahead of Mehmento, competing for owners Al Afoo Racing, trainer Mohammed Hasan and saddled by Ebrahim Nader.

Bond’s Boy finished third for Al Mohamediya Racing, Osama Hashim and Anas Al Siyabi.

The eighth and final race of the day for the Opening Day Cup, held over 1,600m with a BD5,000 prize purse, Rider on the Storm took the win for M and E Racing, AM Smith and Andrew Elliott.

Pisces followed for Abdulla Fawzi Nass, Fawzi Nass and Alberto Sanna, while Coiled and Ready took third place for Victorious, AM Smith and Edinson Rodriguez.

Race six, run over a 1,200m straight with BD4,000 in prize money, was won by Ocean Star, ridden by jockey Soufiane Saadi.

The Al Afoo Racing-owned victor is trained by Mohammed Hasan, and finished ahead of Pure Dreamer, representing Al Adiyat Racing, AM Smith and Lee Newman.

Mayaas came third for Al Hassanain Racing, Ali Jan and Hasan Al Saffar.

In the fifth race, Royal Scimitar claimed the win after 1,400m for Al Mohamediya Racing, Fawzi Nass and Jason Watson. The winners took home the lion’s share of the event’s BD3,000 prize. Notions was the runner-up while Jamais Assez completed the top three.

The fourth race of the day, held over 2,000m, was claimed by American Flag for Al Adiyat Racing and trainer AM Smith, while ridden by Lee Newman.

Dark Lion was in second and Brave the Storm finished third. In race three, Musique de la Nuit, competing for Victorious, Allan Smith and Mathieu Pelletan took first place after 1,800m to come away with the biggest portion of theBD2,000 prize.

Jbarah was in second place while Sinatra was third.

Waqiaah took the win in the BD3,000 race two over 1,000m for Al Afoo Racing, Mohammed Hasan and Anas Al Siyabi. Qamari claimed the runner-up spot while Naahy finished third.

In the first race of the day, a WAHO event held over 1,000m with a BD2,000 prize, Al Ma’anagy 1846 triumphed for Al Kahldiya and Fawzi Nass.

Rosie Jessop saddled the five-year-old to the win, finishing ahead of Kuheilan Weld Umm Zorayr 1838 of Victorious and Tuwaisan 1844 of Al Riffa.

Yesterday’s opening day was the first of a stacked calendar of racing in the new season at REHC, which is set to be more valuable than ever with an improved raceday experience providing something for fans.

Other highlights on the calendar include the $1m Bahrain International Trophy on 17 November and the return of the popular Bahrain Turf Series, running from December through to March.

After the turn of the year, attention will then switch to the Crown Prince’s Cup on 2 February and the season-finale, the King’s Cup, on 8 March.