Bahrain Turf Series & International Races

Race dates 2026 - 2027
November

Premier race

13th
November 2026
$400,000 USD
2800m
Open Handicap

Premier race

13th
November 2026
$1.5 million USD
2000m
Group 1
December

Premier race

17th
December 2026
$20,000 USD
2400m
Domestic Grade 1

Premier race

18th
December 2026
$80,000 USD
1600m
Listed
18th
December 2026
$80,000 USD
2000m
84-100
18th
December 2026
$80,000 USD
1600m
84-100
18th
December 2026
$80,000 USD
1000m (Str)
84-100
January
02nd
January 2027
$80,000 USD
2000m
80-100
02nd
January 2027
$80,000 USD
1200m (Str)
80-100
02nd
January 2027
$80,000 USD
1600m
80-100

Premier race

15th
January 2027
$80,000 USD
1800m
Listed (4yo+)

Premier race

15th
January 2027
$25,000 USD
1400m
Domestic Grade 1 (4yo+)

Premier race

15th
January 2027
$80,000 USD
1000m (Str)
Domestic Grade 1 (4yo+)
28th
January 2027
$80,000 USD
2000m
80-100
28th
January 2027
$80,000 USD
1200m (Str)
80-100
28th
January 2027
$80,000 USD
1600m
80-100

Premier race

29th
January 2027
$200,000 USD
2000m
Group 3 (4yo+)

Premier race

29th
January 2027
$50,000 USD
1600m
Domestic Grade 1 (4yo+)
February

Premier race

18th
February 2027
$135,000 USD
2200m
Listed

Premier race

18th
February 2027
$30,000 USD
1400m
Domestic Grade 1
18th
February 2027
$80,000 USD
1800m
80-100
18th
February 2027
$80,000 USD
1000m (Str)
80-100
March
04th
March 2027
$100,000 USD
2000m
80-100
04th
March 2027
$100,000 USD
1600m
80-100
04th
March 2027
$100,000 USD
1200m (Str)
80-100

Premier race

05th
March 2027
$400,000 USD
2400m
Group 3 (4yo+)

Premier race

05th
March 2027
$120,000 USD
1600m
Listed (4yo+)

Premier race

05th
March 2027
$50,000 USD
1000m (Str)
Domestic Grade 1 (4yo+)

Bahrain Turf Series

Bahrain’s race programme continues to evolve and as a result of upgrades and investment a core platform for international competition throughout the season has been established. The Bahrain Turf Series combined with the growing number of Premier Races provides a competitive and diverse programme for horses rated 80 and above across a variety of distances and divisions.

This season the Bahrain Turf Series increases to fourteen races with the introduction of a dedicated Mile Division alongside the existing sprint and middle-distance handicaps, continuing Bahrain’s commitment to strengthening international opportunities throughout the winter season.

The 2026-27 Bahrain Turf Series gets underway on 18th December with races in all three divisions. Each of races in the series has a prize fund of $80,000, with the exception of the final round held at the King’s Cup Festival in March, when the prize fund is $100,000.

Alongside the Bahrain Turf Series, the Premier Race and pattern programme continues to grow in stature and competitiveness. These races are also open to international participation and form a key part of Bahrain’s international racing calendar.

Kings Cup Pathway Timeline V10 FOR WEB 1

Nomination procedure

To nominate for stabling, please email: 
Max Pimlott, max@irbracing.com by Thursday 5 November 2026.

Prior to nomination, please ensure all import requirements are met and horse vaccinations are up to date.

Entries for series races will be by the Monday of the race, 10am (Bahrain).

Declarations for series races will be by the Tuesday of the race, 10am (Bahrain). Declarations to include jockeys and any official request for the stewards.

Prize money

In total, there are 14 races in the Bahrain Turf Series, divided between sprint, mile and middle-distance categories.

 

$80,000 is allocated to 11 series races with the purse distributed as follows:
– $48,000 to the Winning Horse.
– $16,000 to the Second.
– $8,000 to the Third.
– $4,800 to the Fourth.
– $3,200 to the Fifth.

$100,000 is allocated to the final three series races with the purse distributed as follows:
– $60,000 to the Winning Horse.
– $20,000 to the Second.
– $10,000 to the Third.
– $6,000 to the Fourth.
– $4,000 to the Fifth.

Owners and trainers

For more information on The Bahrain Turf Series please email max@irbracing.com for details on the races, conditions, nomination procedure, shipping, subsidies and incentives.
Imported Horses
Race Programme
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Local Horses
Race Programme
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