Bahrain International Trophy

AGE is but a number. Just ask Lord Glitters, Barney Roy and Magny Cours.

The trio led home an international 1-2-3 in the Group 3 Bahrain International Trophy yesterday, and they have 21 years between them.

Such was the quality of the field for the race that the first two home are previous Group 1 winners, while third-placed Magny Cours was placed in March in the Group 1 Dubai World Cup. Fourth home was Richard Fahey’s three-year-old Gutaifan filly Fev Rover, while another member of the classic generation, Jessica Harrington’s Lope De Vega colt Cadillac, took home £25,000 for finishing fifth.

Irishman David O’Meara, speaking at the post position draw on Wednesday, said that Lord Glitters “still has a zest for life”. Last in the early stages of the race, the eight-year-old steadily made progress when the field entered the straight, and at the end he was a comfortable winner. Owned by Geoff and Sandra Turnbull, Lord Glitters was recording his 10th career win and pushed his earnings past £2.1 million, and was another big race success for Jason Watson, the tenth rider to partner the son of Whipper.

Godolphin

In a true-run race, Barney Roy, who ran a fine prep after a 391-day break at Newmarket over five weeks ago, finished second, continuing a good run of form for the Godolphin team and Charlie Appleby. James Doyle was in the saddle on this four-time Group 1 winner, three of which were gained last year. Godolphin’s Magny Cours, a first runner in Bahrain for André Fabre, was third

Thirteen runners lined up for the third running of the race, nine of them international contenders. Ireland, Britain, France and Germany sent runners, and the latest edition of the race will certainly cement its place now on the international stage.