THE fifth running of the Bahrain International Trophy, and the first following the race’s elevation to Group 2 status, produced a memorable result and scenes of jubilation as the six-year-old gelding Spirit Dancer, co-owned and bred by Sir Alex Ferguson, scored a decisive victory to land the winner’s share of the 1$m prize fund at the Rashid Equestrian & Horseracing Club.

Ridden by Oisin Orr and trained by Richard Fahey, Spirit Dancer came with a good run inside the final furlong and a half to race clear of his rivals, leaving Israr (John and Thady Gosden/Jim Crowley) and Point Lonsdale (Aidan O’Brien/Ryan Moore), who had made a lot of the running and kept on well, to fight out the finish for second and third place.

In what was the strongest renewal in the race’s five-year history, the field included runners from five different countries and included three previous Group 1 winners.

For 81-year-old Sir Alex Ferguson, who owned and bred Spirit Dancer with Niall McLoughlin, he described it as the best moment of his racing life.

Ferguson said: “That is the best moment, no doubt. When you looked at the field I was worried. Godolphin, [Aidan] O’Brien, [Andre] Fabre - they’ve all got horses here. And we are just a wee stable from Yorkshire. It was a fantastic performance. He won well.

“When he hit the front, Ged [Mason] just jumped on me! 100 yards out he looked like he was going to win but I didn’t want to count my chickens. I was just praying and he carried me over the line with him. He won well, won easy.”

Richard Fahey, trainer of Spirit Dancer, added: “This race has been the plan for some time, but to win it is a lovely surprise considering the quality of the opposition. Realistically we didn’t think we would win, but Spirit Dancer and Oisin pulled it out of the fire and in the end he won well.”

His Highness Shaikh Isa Bin Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Rashid Equestrian & Horseracing Club, said at the presentation: “Congratulations to the owners of Spirit Dancer, including Sir Alex Ferguson and Ged Mason, following Spirit Dancer’s victory in the 2023 Bahrain International Trophy. It was a thrilling race to watch and in terms of quality it was the best horse race ever staged in the Kingdom. I am also delighted to say it was witnessed by the largest audience yet in the race’s five-year history, both from the perspective of those present at the Club and those watching around the world in the 110 countries where the race was broadcast.

“We are very proud of how the Bahrain International Trophy has grown, and I extend sincere thanks to the international participants who have supported the race and assisted in raising awareness of racing in Bahrain.”