Al raffah: Under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and in the presence of His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Minister of the Prime Minister's Court and Chairman of the High Committee of the Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club (REHC), the Crown Prince's Horseracing Cup Festival commenced at the REHC racecourse in Al Raffah, Sakhir.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the festival, sponsored by Cebarco, is being held over two days on January 29-30, and was attended by a number of Their Highnesses, Excellencies, officials, and representatives of sponsoring entities. During the event, winners of the fourth round of the Bahrain Turf Series were crowned. Shaikh Salman bin Mohammed Al Khalifa received the Hawar Cup, sponsored by Cebarco, from Mohammed Khalid Abdulrahim, Chief Executive Officer of Cebarco, following the victory of Up the Pace from Al Adiyat Racing in the eighth race. Awards were also presented to the winning trainer and jockey.
In the seventh race, David Howden, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Howden, presented the Anchorman Cup, sponsored by Howden, to the representative of Lamont Racing after the victory of Dain Ma Nut, with prizes also awarded to the winning trainer and jockey. Race trophies were also presented, with Martin Gauss, Chief Executive Officer of Gulf Air, awarding the first race trophy to trainer Yousif Taher. His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa received the second race trophy from Isa Kanoo, Board Member of Ebrahim Khalil Kanoo Company, while Khalid Rashid Al Zayani, Deputy Chairman of Investcorp, presented the third race trophy to trainer George Scott.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Isa Al Khalifa presented the Bahrain Oaks Cup to owner Mohammed Khalid Abdulrahim, while Hussain Shirazi presented the Grand Seiko - Bahrain Jewellery Centre Cup to trainer Ahmed Al Sadah. Andrew Kelly, Client Relations and Business Development Manager at Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, presented the fifth race trophy to owner Fadhel Majeed, along with prizes to the winning trainer and jockey. The opening day featured competitive races and accompanying activities that drew strong public attendance.
The Crown Prince's Cup Festival concludes on Friday, January 30, with an eight-race programme, including the Crown Prince's Cup for Bahraini Purebred Arabian horses (WAHO), the Crown Prince's Cup for Bahrain-bred horses, and the Crown Prince's Cup for imported horses.