Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain – 20th November 2019: The Post Position Draw (PPD) event, held today at the Four Seasons Hotel, determined by random selection the starting gate positions of the 14 racehorses taking part in this Friday’s Bahrain International Trophy.
It was the first time that the owners, trainers, jockeys and racetrack officials have been brought together, serving as a preview of the race ahead, and a chance for members of the press to speak with the key participants directly.
Of the thoroughbreds that have been selected for the race, five are local and nine have been flown in from Europe, including six from Britain, two from France, and one from Germany. Seven of the nine European trainers attended the draw.
The occasion also featured the grand unveiling of the Bahrain International Trophy winner’s cup, designed and handcrafted from sterling silver and mahogany by legendary jewellers House of Garrard.
The exciting Post Position Draw concluded with the following results for the starting gate:
- Horse: Vale Do Sol
Owner: Victorious
Trainer: Hesham Al Haddad
Jockey: Adrie De Vries - Horse: Thorkhill Star
Owner: Al Adiyat Racing
Trainer: A. Smith
Jockey: James Doyle - Horse: Turgenev
Owner: Godolphin
Trainer: John Gosden
Jockey: Robert Havlin - Horse: Aquarium
Owner: Alsharq Racing
Trainer: Jane Chapple-Hyam
Jockey: Richard Kingscote - Horse: Mountain Angel
Owner: Ziad A Galadari
Trainer: Roger Varian
Jockey: Andrea Atzeni - Horse: Intellogent
Owner: Ms Fiona Carmichael
Trainer: Fabrice Chappet
Jockey: Pierre-Charles Boudot - Horse: Sword Peinture
Owner: Gestut Wittekindshof
Trainer: Andreas Suborics
Jockey: Filip Minarik - Horse: Coolagh Forest
Owner: Moh’d Khalid A.Rahim
Trainer: Paul D’Arcy
Jockey: John Egan - Horse: Afaak
Owner: His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai
Trainer: Charles Hills
Jockey: Jim Crowley - Horse: Euginio
Owner: Victorious
Trainer: Fawzi Nass
Jockey: Paddy Mathers - Horse: Royal Julius
Owner: Jean-Jacques Biarese
Trainer: Jerome Reynier
Jockey: Stephane Pasquier - Horse: Rustang
Owner: Al Adiyat Racing
Trainer: A. Smith
Jockey: Gerald Mosse - Horse: Pivoine
Owner: King Power Racing Co Ltd
Trainer: Andrew Balding
Jockey: Silvestre De Sousa - Horse: Proposed
Owner: Ramadhan Stable
Trainer: Jaber Ramadhan
Jockey: Brett Doyle
The Post Position Draw was presented by renowned TV racing presenter Nick Luck, along with noted horse racing announcer Mark Johnson.
Speaking after the Post Position Draw, Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club (REHC) executive director Shaikh Salman bin Rashed Al Khalifa said: “Attracting so many top owners, trainers, jockeys and horses for our first international race has exceeded our expectations and means a lot for Bahrain, but I am sure this is only the beginning of a successful journey to establish our country in the racing calendar.”
Shaikh Salman paid tribute to the REHC’s local partners – Gulf Air, Bapco and Batelco – and to those associated with managing the racecourse. He said: “Everyone involved in making the race meeting happen has worked from the heart.”
The event was a great success and attended by High Committee Deputy Chairman of Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club (REHC) HH Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Minister of Oil HE Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, representatives from one of the race partners Batelco, as well as owners, trainers, jockeys, grooms and various journalists from international and local media.
Call 17 440 330 for more information.
HH Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, ninth from left, at the Post Position Draw, in the presence of owners, trainers and jockeys. 
HH Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, left, with Minister of Oil HE Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, second from left, along with other important dignitaries. 
Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa activating the Post Position Draw with Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. 
Nick Luck presenting at the Post Position Draw
