Two of horse racing’s highest-profile owners with footballing backgrounds are aiming to follow in the footstep of Sir Alex Ferguson and enjoy big-race success in Bahrain.
Michael Owen and Harry Redknapp both have representatives in the upcoming Bahrain Turf Series, which kicks off on Friday, December 8, at the Rashid Equestrian & Horseracing Club.
Running from December through to February, the Bahrain Turf Series provides opportunities for internationally trained runners (rated 85-100) to compete against local Bahraini-based horses across ten races. Each race is worth $80,000 with bonus prizes for the horses accumulating most points in the two divisions, sprint and middle distance.
Last month Ferguson travelled to Bahrain to watch Spirit Dancer win the $1m Bahrain International Trophy. Afterwards he described the victory of Spirit Dancer, trained by Richard Fahey for Ferguson and co-owner Ged Mason, as the best moment of his racing life.
Now Owen and Redknapp – both of whom have runners in the Al Muharraq Cup over 2,000 metres on Friday’s card – are hoping to enjoy similar outcomes with their runners in the Kingdom.
Harry Redknapp’s interests lie with the five-year-old gelding Moktasaab, who has already given the former Spurs and West Ham manager some memorable days on the racecourse, including wins at Newbury and Goodwood.
Now in the care of trainer Phil McEntee, Redknapp is hoping Moktasaab can recapture his best form for the Bahrain Turf Series. “I am really looking forward to Moktasaab running in Bahrain,” said Redknapp.
“The horse has had a nice break since his last run in August and I think, like a lot of us, he will appreciate a bit of winter sunshine. Phil is very pleased with him and we hope he is back on a winning mark, having dropped a few pounds this year.
“I had a runner [Wonder Elzaam] in the first Bahrain Turf Series back in 2021, which was a lot of fun, and we will be heading out to Bahrain during the series to watch Moktasaab run.”
Among Moktasaab’s opponents in the middle-distance division of the series is Box To Box, a four-year-gelding part-owned by former Liverpool legend Michael Owen and racing in the colours of the Running Order Partnership.
Already the winner of five of his 23 starts, Box To Box boasts some strong form, including finishing runner-up to subsequent Bahrain International winner Spirit Dancer at York, and he is considered a live contender by trainer Hugo Palmer.
“Box To Box arrives off the back of a really good season in England and he has travelled well to Bahrain,” commented the trainer.
“Physically the horse thrived in Bahrain last year, but he did his chances no good by being slowly away on a couple of occasions, which is unlike him. If he jumps well, then he has a lot in his favour.
“He is set to meet a couple of his former stable companions, Mr McCann and Chronograph, both of whom are now based in Bahrain, so it will be interesting to see how he gets on against them.”
Palmer also saddles Roman Dragon, co-owned by Owen’s company, Owen Promotions Ltd., in the Al Manama Cup, the opening heat in the sprint division.
Palmer added: “To date, all five of Roman Dragon’s wins have come around Chester’s tight turns, so the straight 1,000 metres will be a slightly different challenge for him, but he will love the fast ground and he is fit and ready to run well. His owners were keen to experience the Bahrain Turf Series having heard good things about it.”
Launched in 2021-22, this is the third edition of the ten-race Bahrain Turf Series. The series runs alongside the domestic programme in Bahrain with international horses competing in the series also eligible to run in other Bahrain Turf Club races open to imported horses.
• Visit the Bahrain Turf Club website
Bahrain International Trophy: Spirit Dancer gives Man Utd legend Ferguson a day to treasure
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