Racing in Bahrain
During the season there is racing every Friday evening, as well as several Thursday fixtures. Highlights include the two-day King’s Cup Festival in March, The Crown Prince’s Cup Festival in January and the Kingdom’s most valuable race, the Bahrain International Trophy, in November. With a prize fund of $1million, the race attracts leading horses and jockeys from all over the world.
From December to March is Bahrain’s international season, during which many international horses enjoy an extended stay in the Kingdom, racing against locally trained horses in a series of premier races and the Bahrain Turf Series. The international season concludes with The King’s Cup Festival.
The progress made in terms of the quality and competitiveness of horse racing in Bahrain has been recognised internationally and is reflected by recent upgrades awarded by the Asian Pattern Committee to seven of the Kingdom’s most important races.
Significant investment in the facilities at the Rashid Equestrian & Horseracing Club, including the introduction of floodlights and improvements to the grandstand, have helped create a unique atmosphere and a warm, Bahraini welcome greets all visitors.
The Track
The Outer Track is 2300m round with a straight course of 1200m. There is also an extended chute from the 1600m start. The Outer Track has a long sweeping bend and a 600m home straight to the winning post. It is a very fair track where no particular type of running style is favoured.
The Inner Track was renovated ahead of the 2020/21 season. It has a slightly shorter round course, measuring 2100m, and there are extended chutes for the 1600m and 2000m starts. Like the Outer Track, it has a 1200m straight course.
Both tracks generally ride as ‘good to firm’ or fast ground and any rain tends to have little impact on the going unless it is falls on race day.
There is an excellent covering of grass and the renovation of the Inner Track has enabled race meetings to switch between tracks during the season, thereby reducing wear and tear to the turf and providing fresh ground for the major fixtures.