Thrilling climax to Bahrain Turf Series at REHC, where Brazen Bolt lands sprint division for John & Sean Quinn
Bahrain: Parlando (Ian Williams/Gerald Mosse) produced a career-best performance to win the Vision 2030 by Beyon Handicap and land a $40,000 bonus prize as the annual Bahrain Turf Series reached its finale at the Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club (REHC).
One of the record number of international horses competing in this season’s Bahrain Turf Series, the five-year-old arrived late on the scene to snatch victory from under the nose of the valiant Box To Box in the 2,000-metre race and the series overall.
Bahrain Turf Series final points standings
The pair ended the series tied on 28 points in the middle-distance division, but by virtue of securing the win today, the $40,000 bonus prize went to Parlando’s connections.
The son of Dubawi was bought out of Godolphin’s yard a year ago and Friday’s win was a first success since his racecourse debut in the UK in 2021.
However, he has been a model of consistency for Ian Williams and had accumulated enough points over the course of the Bahrain Turf Series to be within striking distance if he could win today and score the maximum 15 points.
Under a patient ride from Gerald Mosse, Parlando was held up before swooping late down the outside to score by a length from Hugo Palmer-trained Box To Box, recording his third placed effort in the series from four runs.
“I had the ridden the horse once before so I knew him,” said Mosse, who has been in great form in Bahrain all season.
“He travelled really nice and I was biding my time as I knew he would finish well. If you ride him too close to the pace, he will do too much, today he was relaxed in behind and when I pressed the button, he was ready to answer.”
Assistant trainer Harvey Williams, added: “We’re so happy with that result, really delighted – and to have won the Bahrain Turf Series bonus prize is great news. We will definitely be back next year!”
The overall winner of the sprint division of the Bahrain Turf Series was Brazen Bolt, trained by John & Sean Quinn. The gelding had accumulated an unassailable lead going into the final round and finished the series on 41 points.
However, it was Brazen Bolt’s stable companion JM Jungle whose turn it was to shine in the Al Sakhir Cup, the final round in the sprint division.
JM Jungle showed blistering speed to score readily under Jason Hart, leading a clean sweep for the international horses, with Thunder Moor and Roman Dragon claiming second and third places.
“That was a very good performance, but not a huge surprise,” said Sean Quinn. “JM Jungle was a horse good enough to win at Glorious Goodwood last year so he has high-class form and Brazen Bolt has run another good race to finish sixth.
“The handicapper has understandably put him up for his successes. It’s been a fantastic winter and thank you to everybody associated with the Bahrain Turf Club – we have thoroughly enjoyed it.”
Running from December through to February, the Bahrain Turf Series provides opportunities for internationally trained runners (rated 85-100) to compete against local Bahrain-based horses.
There are five races in each division, sprint and middle-distance, with each race worth $80,000 and a bonus prize for the horse accumulating most points in its respective division.
The final and most valuable race of the day, the Shaikh Nasser Cup saw yet another impressive performance from Isle Of Jura (George Scott/Callum Shepherd), the season’s most improved performer.
Coasting home by four lengths under a confident ride, Isle Of Jura, in the colours of Victorious Racing, took the race named in honour of his owner, HH Shaikh Nasser.
It was a third win this season for the George Scott trained four-year-old, building on his success to take the Crown Prince’s Cup last time out.
“That was a flawless performance,” said the winning jockey Callum Shepherd. “Roll on the King’s Cup! [March 8]”
• Visit the Bahrain Turf Club website
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