By Kelsey Riley
Bahrain isn't the most notable nation on the international horse racing circuit, but it took a significant step in growing its profile on Saudi Cup day when winning the first two races on the card, with Dark Power (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) bringing up the double when running down Godolphin's Mubtasim (Ire) (Arcano {Ire}) in the $1-million stc 1351 Cup. Mubtasim's stablemate Glorious Journey (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) ran on late to be third, making it a clean sweep for horses trained in the Gulf region.
Bred by Guy O'Callaghan and sold as a foal for €80,000, Dark Power was campaigned by Alan Craddock with trainer Clive Cox and plied his trade in Britain's handicap ranks until being bought by Richard Frisby for 42,000gns at the 2018 Tattersalls Autumn Horses-in-Training Sale. He transferred to Bahrain-based trainer Allan Smith thereafter and has won or hit the board in all seven starts since for Al Adiyat Racing.
Racing keenly in the three path and about 2 1/2 lengths off Mubtasim's lead down the backstretch, Dark Power put in a sustained rally down the middle of the track under Frankie Dettori and at last reeled in Mubtasim just strides from the wire.
A jubilant Dettori said post-race, “[Owner] Sheikh Isa is a friend of mine. I've been going to Bahrain for the last five years and I took the ride a month ago. I didn't know what to expect to be honest, but this is an amazing feeling. To win a race like this for your mates is a double-whammy. What they've done in the space of two months [with this turf course] is remarkable.”
Smith said, “Frankie gave him a super ride. The main thing was getting him settled early on and Frankie just got him slotted in and relaxed. I always thought he'd make a seven-furlong horse even when I bought him. We bought a sprinter, but he's always done his best at the end of a race. I'll take it.”
Mubtasim's rider James Doyle, who had won a stake in Bahrain aboard Dark Power in December, said, “I know the winner well. I have won on him in Bahrain before.
“Frustrating, we had a dream run round. He stays the trip really well. I have no complaints. I'm delighted with him. I have been coming to Saudi Arabia quite a bit, I have seen the track develop and they have done a magnificent job with it.”
Pedigree Notes
Dark Power is out of the placed Desert Style (Ire) mare Sixfields Flyer (Ire), a half-sister to G3 July S. and G3 Tetrarch S. winner Rich Ground (GB) (Common Grounds {GB}). The dam has a 2-year-old filly by Gutaifan (Ire) to represent her.
STC 1351 TURF SPRINT, $1,000,000, King Abdulaziz, 2-29, 3yo/up, 1351mT, 1:19.63, gd.
1–DARK POWER (IRE), 126, g, 6, Dark Angel (Ire)–Sixfields Flyer (Ire), Desert Style (Ire). (€80,000 Ylg '15 GOFORB; 50,000gns RNA HRA '17 TATNOV; 42,000gns HIT '18 TATAUT). O-Al Adiyat Racing; B-Mr Guy O'Callahan; T-Allan Smith; J-Frankie Dettori; $600,000. Lifetime Record: Ch. Sprinter-Bah, 21-10-3-2, $692,355.
2–Mubtasim (Ire), 126, g, 6, Arcano (Ire)–Start the Music (Ire), by King's Best. (€22,000 Wlg '14 GOFNOV; 38,000gns Ylg '15 TATOCT; 140,000gns HRA '18 TATAUT). O-Godolphin; B-Mrs Natasha Drennan; T-Charlie Appleby. $200,000.
3–Glorious Journey (GB), 126, g, 5, Dubawi (Ire)–Fallen For You (GB), by Dansili (GB). (2,600,000gns Ylg '16 TATOCT). O-HH Shekiha Al Jalila Racing; B-Normandie Stud Ltd; T-Charlie Appleby. $100,000.
Margins: HD, 2, 3HF.
Also Ran: Speak In Colours (GB), Suedois, Legends of War, Momkin (Ire), Ghoul (Brz), Larchmont Lad, Royal Intervention (Ire), Sir Dancealot (Ire), Holy Day (Arg), King Malpic (Fr), Graignes (Fr).
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