Prize-money for the King's Cup doubled to $400,000 to help boost international racing in Bahrain further

The prize-money for the King's Cup, one of Bahrain's feature races, has been doubled to $400,000 (£293,000/€341,000) as part of a boosted programme leading up to the contest in the gulf nation.

The King’s Cup takes place over 1m4f and was upgraded to Group 3 status for the 2025 running, which was won by Sovereign Spirit. The accompanying two-day festival marks the finale of the kingdom’s international racing season, with it taking place next year on March 6.

As part of the upgrades, the Bahrain Turf Club has created a new signposted pathway named the ‘road to the King’s Cup’. This will involve higher-rated horses who compete over a mile and middle distances running in premier races, culminating in the Al Methaq Mile, a Listed contest worth $120,000, and the King’s Cup.

Bahraini involvement in British and Irish racing has been increasing in recent years with the likes of Victorious Racing, KHK Racing and Sheikh Isa Al Khalifa growing their ownership. In addition, the Kingdom of Bahrain sponsors the Irish Champion Stakes and three contests at Newmarket's July festival this week.

At the same time, British and Irish trainers have looked to target races in Bahrain, with Epsom trainer George Baker establishing a satellite yard in the nation.

Yusuf Buheji, CEO of the Bahrain Turf Club, said: “As the quality of international horse attracted to compete in Bahrain improves, we want to ensure there are attractive and valuable options available to owners and trainers outside of the now established Bahrain Turf Series races.

“The King’s Cup is the most prestigious prize in the kingdom’s racing calendar. Our goal is to keep developing and improving the quality of racing in Bahrain, together with the facilities, thereby making Bahrain an even more attractive and compelling proposition to international visitors.”

Bahrain's headline race in the first half of the season remains the Bahrain International Trophy, a Group 2 worth $1million on November 14. The twelve-race Bahrain Turf Series, worth a total of $1million and a further $80,000 available in bonuses, returns on December 19 and concludes at the King’s Cup festival.

Last season the two $40,000 bonuses for the connections of the respective series winners went to trainers based in Britain. Hugo Palmer’s Roman Dragon accumulated the most points in the sprint races, while Marco Botti’s Soldier’s Empire won the middle distance series.

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