Second, second, second, second - Lion's Pride puts in good work before attempting to break frustrating sequence in Bahrain for the Gosdens

The classy Lion’s Pride will be tasked with breaking an agonising streak of near-misses for John and Thady Gosden in this month's Group 2 Bahrain International Trophy.

The lightly raced five-year-old, who impressed in his final workout before his departure at the weekend, is now the sole Newmarket representative in the $1 million contest on Friday week after high-profile pair Economics and Isle Of Jura were retired last month.

Lion’s Pride showed his best form when accounting for Isle Of Jura by seven lengths in the Listed Godolphin Stakes at Newmarket in September, form which subsequently received a boost when fourth-placed Eydon landed the Group 2 Gran Premio del Jockey Club in Milan.

Lion's Pride (Rab Havlin) wins the Godolphin Stakes at Newmarket in SeptemberCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

The son of Roaring Lion was promoted to a career-high BHA rating of 115 after that win, putting him in line with other intended runners in the contest, including the Karl Burke-trained Royal Champion (120) and Godolphin’s Tornado Alert (117).

Remarkably, the Gosdens have finished second four times in the 1m2f Bahrain International Trophy, most recently when subsequent Group 1 winner Lead Artist was run down late by Spirit Dancer 12 months ago.

Before that, Turgenev (2019), Global Giant (2020) and Israr (2023) also had to settle for second for the yard.

After watching Lion’s Pride work a mile under Robert Havlin on the Al Bahathri Polytrack, Thady Gosden said: “Lion’s Pride has been in very good form since Newmarket and a mile and a quarter on top of the ground in Bahrain should suit him well. 

"All four runners we’ve had in it before have finished second, so hopefully he can go one better. He’s the third highest rated in the race and goes there with a good shout.”

Israr: Bahrain bridesmaidCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Burke is well aware of the success Yorkshire-based trainers have had in the Bahrain International Trophy, with three of the last four runnings won by horses based in the county. 

David O’Meara’s popular grey Lord Glitters won the race in 2022 and, following the race’s elevation to Group 2 status, the last two have been won by the Richard Fahey-trained Spirit Dancer.

Burke said: “Royal Champion will be my first runner in Bahrain and I'm really looking forward to visiting the Kingdom and seeing the facilities there. The bar has been set high, but we will be doing our best to uphold the fine tradition of Yorkshire-trained horses in the race.”

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