Under the desert night sky, Spirit Dancer and jockey Oisin Orr delivered a dazzling performance to claim victory in the sixth edition of the Bahrain International Trophy, becoming the race's first-ever dual winner. The historic triumph was a proud moment for owner-breeder Sir Alex Ferguson, who celebrated alongside co-owner Ged Mason. It also marked a remarkable training achievement by Richard Fahey, who guided Spirit Dancer back to peak form after an injury setback in March.

This year’s race, held under the newly installed floodlights at the Rashid Equestrian & Horseracing Club, was a spectacle to remember. The Group 2 event attracted a world-class field, with Spirit Dancer once again breaking from stall 11—the same as his 2023 win—and unleashing a powerful late surge on the outside to edge past runner-up Lead Artist in a thrilling finish.

The 2024 Bahrain International Trophy was a landmark event, drawing runners from six different racing jurisdictions and reaching a global audience via a record 25 broadcasters, 20 of which aired the race live.

Chairman’s Tribute to a Historic Night
His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Rashid Equestrian & Horseracing Club, praised the night’s success:
“Congratulations to owners Sir Alex Ferguson and Ged Mason, trainer Richard Fahey, and jockey Oisin Orr on Spirit Dancer’s remarkable victory in the 2024 Bahrain International Trophy.

“With the introduction of floodlights, this year marked the first nighttime running of the race, and the combination of a world-class field and the electric atmosphere created an unforgettable experience. It was arguably the finest race ever held in Bahrain, and I hope the global audience enjoyed it as much as the on-course spectators.

“We are proud of how the Bahrain International Trophy has evolved, with record anticipation and engagement this year. My gratitude extends to the international participants and our commercial partners, whose support has elevated this event. We are already looking forward to building on this success in 2025.”

A Special Win for Sir Alex Ferguson
For Sir Alex Ferguson, the victory was deeply meaningful. Reflecting on Spirit Dancer’s performance, he said:
“This is unbelievable. I don’t know where he found it, but what a ride by Oisin. He had four lengths to make up on the leader and remained calm and composed—it was brilliant.”

Co-owner Ged Mason shared his delight:
“Spirit Dancer thrives here. You don’t expect lightning to strike twice, but it did today. Full credit to Richard Fahey and the team for bringing him back after injury. And I’m so happy for Alex, who bred this horse. Last year’s win was a poignant moment after he lost Lady Kathy, and tonight feels just as special.”

The Runners-Up
Finishing second was Lead Artist, ridden by Kieran Shoemark and marking the fourth time John and Thady Gosden trained the race’s runner-up. In third was Calif, representing Victorious Racing and trained in France by Carlos and Yann Lerner.

This unforgettable night under the floodlights underscored Bahrain’s growing prominence in the international racing scene, setting the stage for even greater moments in the years to come.

Image Bahrain Turf Club