Running in the colours of Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum, Royal Champion won his biggest and most prestigious race to date, delivering a late challenge under jockey James Doyle to deny the longtime leader Galen. In the aftermath of the race, James Doyle dedicated the victory to his riding colleague, Clifford Lee, who is currently in hospital recovering from an injury that robbed him of the chance to ride Royal Champion in the race.

Royal Champion moved to Karl Burke’s yard in Yorkshire in November of last year, after an unsuccessful spell in Australia. Under Burke’s care the horse has gone from strength to strength, winning a Group 2 at York in July before finishing third in the Group 1 Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes in September. He has now added the Group 2 $1million Bahrain International Trophy to his CV and in doing so maintained the remarkable run of success of Yorkshire trained horses in the race, becoming the fourth such winner in the last five years.

Yusuf Buheji, CEO of the Bahrain Turf Club said: “Congratulations to owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum, trainer Karl Burke and jockey James Doyle following Royal Champion’s exciting victory in the 2025 Bahrain International Trophy.

“We are very proud of how the Bahrain International Trophy has developed and once again the race attracted a high-quality international field, with many of the world’s best jockeys. The crowd on course and those watching around the world were treated to a thrilling race under the floodlights at the Rashid Equestrian & Horseracing Club.

“I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the international participants who have supported the race and contributed to enhancing the profile of racing in Bahrain. I would also like to thank our commercial partners and stakeholders, without whom the remarkable progress we have made would not have been possible.

“We are already looking forward to 2026 and further establishing the Bahrain International Trophy as a significant event in the global racing calendar.”

Speaking after the race, jockey James Doyle was quick to thank Clifford Lee who has ridden Royal Champion on his previous six starts

“I think the first person who should be mentioned is Clifford Lee. He’s been a big part of this horse’s life, and he can’t be here riding him tonight but we wish him a full recovery and I hope Cliff is proud of the ride I gave Royal Champion.

“As a horse, he’s so straightforward. He was just getting himself balanced on this track and then once we levelled up in the straight, he was always going to get there, and he pricked his ears when he saw the cameras. It was an enjoyable last furlong.

“I have been very fortunate to have come to Bahrain to ride for many a year and it’s fantastic to finally win this race. I was just touched off a few years back on an old friend of mine in Barney Roy. It’s a fantastic race, really gathering momentum and you could see that by the strength in depth of the field today.”

The runner-up, beaten three-quarters of a length, was the longtime front runner Galen, trained by Joseph O’Brien and ridden by Dylan Browne McMonagle, with Military Order staying on into third for trainer Charlie Appleby and jockey William Buick.

Friday 14^th

November 2025