Spirit Dancer (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who claimed the G2 Bahrain International Trophy a year ago for breeder Sir Alex Ferguson, Ged Mason and Peter Done, returns to Bahrain to defend his title on Friday. Worth $1 million, the 2000-metre race has attracted a contentious field of 12 from all corners of the globe.
A winner of the G3 Strensall Stakes last year prior to his Bahrain heroics defeating among others the Coolmore partners' multiple group winner Point Lonsdale (Ire) (Australia {GB}), the 7-year-old gelding went on to take the G2 Neom Turf Cup in Saudi Arabia in February. Unplaced behind Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan in March, he was last seen exiting the G3 Darley Stakes with a seventh-place finish behind the re-opposing John and Thady Gosden trainee Lead Artist (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who carries the Juddmonte silks.
Fahey said, “He's in great form and he's a fresh horse who goes there in great order. He's always a horse that we feel runs a better race if he's had a race to bring him on and clear his wind and he's had that. He's travelled really well this year and he's eating and drinking loads and we're really pleased with him. It's a tougher race this year, but he did win well last year so we will see.”
“We're looking foreword to seeing him run, it's another step up the ladder but he's had a good season and I though he was impressive in his last win,” said Barry Mahon, European racing manager for Juddmonte on Lead Artist. “He's taking on older horses which will be a challenge and he's the only three-year-old in the field, but he's in good form and he's a horse we have always liked a lot. We're hopeful of a good run.”
The field also features 2024 GI Arlington Million hero Nations Pride (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) for Godolphin and Victorious's German Group 1 victor Calif (Ger) (Areion {Ger}), as well as dual G2 York Stakes hero Alflaila (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) in the colours of Shadwell. Japan's duo includes G1 Hopeful Stakes winner Killer Ability (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), who was second to Spirit Dancer in the Neom Turf Cup last February, while G3 Prix Bertrand de Tarragon heroine Andromede (Fr) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) is aiming to be the first filly or mare to take the Bahrain International Trophy for trainer Francis Henri Graffard.
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