Bahrain Turf Club calls off lucrative King's Cup meeting as Gulf conflict continues for a fifth day

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The Bahrain Turf Club has been forced to postpone the two-day King's Cup meeting which was due to kick off on Thursday, although the organisers did not directly cite the wider conflict in the Gulf region. 

A post on the BTC's social media channels stated: "We want to inform you that this week's race fixtures have been rescheduled. Updated dates will be shared very soon., with appropriate time considerations factored in.

"We look forward to welcoming you back to Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club shortly. Thank you for your patience and support."

The latest figures from the general command of the Bahrain Defence Force quotes a total of 74 missiles and 95 drones destroyed since the beginning of what it called "Iran's continuing, unprovoked, and unconscionable terrorist aggression" on February 28. 

Smoke rises after Iran carried out a missile strike on the main headquarters of the U.S. Navy in BahrainCredit: Stringer/Anadolu via Getty Images

The US Navy base in the country has been the target of multiple attacks, while the international airport suffered "material damage without loss of life" in a drone attack; confirmed casualties in Bahrain are one dead and four injured.

The highlight of the two-day festival was due to have been the $400,000 King's Cup, though two of the leading international runners - Godolphin's Royal Power and West Wind Blows for Simon and Ed Crisford - were declared non-runners before the announcement of the postponement was made. 

Michael Dods was another British-based trainer not to have waited on the Bahraini authorities, having decided to pull his two intended runners at the meeting, instead concentrating his efforts on getting daughter Chloe on a flight home after she had spent the winter supervising Commanche Falls and Northern Express. 

Dods said: "The plan is for Chloe to fly back as soon as possible and we're hoping for the horses to follow pretty soon. The Bahraini authorities are working hard to ensure that happens. 

"We took the view that Chloe has enough on her plate without the added pressure of running the horses, so we took the decision to call it a day and get everyone back safe as quickly as possible. It was an easy decision to make in the circumstances." 

Masquerade Ball will now be aimed at the Grade 1 Osaka Hai instead of running on Dubai World Cup nightCredit: Japan Racing Association

Having staged its Super Saturday meeting, the Emirates Racing Authority is still planning to go ahead with meetings at Al Ain on Thursday and Meydan on Friday. 

Open windows in Gulf region airspace remain extremely limited, though repatriation flights have begun and a number of jockeys and trainers have now returned to Europe. 

On Wednesday owners Shadai Racing announced that Tenno Sho hero Masquerade Ball and Mile Championship winner Jantar Mantar would not travel from Japan to take up their invitations to run in the Dubai Sheema Classic and the Dubai Turf on March 28.

A Japanese contingent led by Forever Young is already in training at Meydan having travelled to Dubai after competing at the Saudi Cup meeting on February 14.

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