Gosden breaks new ground as Turgenev heads for Bahrain International Trophy

John Gosden will break new ground later this month when Royal Ascot runner-up Turgenev becomes his first runner in Bahrain.

The three-year-old is an intended runner in the inaugural Bahrain International Trophy on November 22, which has a purse of £200,000.

Staged over 1m2f on turf, the weight-for-age race has attracted interest from France, Germany and Ireland, as well as numerous British-based hopefuls.

Since his Ascot near-miss, Turgenev has shown top-class form to be second in the Group 2 Celebration Mile at Goodwood, after which he chased home subsequent Group 1 winner King Of Change in a Listed race at Sandown in September.

Thady Gosden, pupil assistant to his father, said: "Turgenev is an intended runner in the Bahrain International Trophy and worked nicely in preparation for the race on the Al Bahathri on Saturday. The plan is to fly him out there next weekend and we are very much looking forward to the race."

Among the other runners is Coolagh Forest, who will represent Paul D'Arcy after changing hands for 125,000gns at the Tattersalls horses-in-training sale.

Formerly trained by Richard Fahey, Coolagh Forest is a five-time winner and has been bought by a Bahrain-based owner to run specifically in the race.

Coolagh Forest (left): wins easily at York last monthCredit: John Grossick 07710461723

D'Arcy said: "John Egan bought Coolagh Forest on behalf of Khalid Mohammed Al Rashid and he seems a nice sort of horse for the race. John will ride the horse and he and I linked up to win the Irish 2,000 Guineas with Indian Haven a few years ago, so hopefully we can combine successfully again."

The other British contenders are Pivoine (Andrew Balding), Mountain Angel (Roger Varian), Afaak (Charlie Hills) and Wargrave (George Baker).

Joseph O'Brien, fresh from his win at the Breeders' Cup, could target more international success with Red Tea.

Sheikh Salman bin Rashid Al Khalifa, executive director of Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing club, said of the new venture: "We’re hosting one race this year and it’s definitely going to be a stepping stone towards bigger events in the future.

"I’m sure the plan is to host more international races and we would love to attract a big number of owners and trainers to race in Bahrain.

“It’s just another opportunity. Dubai is around the corner and a lot of people send their horses there during the winter to race, so we thought it would work really nicely for people to have another option in the region."

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