TurfTrax breaks new ground in Bahrain ahead of showpiece fixture

TurfTrax GoingStick readings will be available for the first time ahead of Bahrain’s richest race when the Rashid Equestrian & Horseracing Club hosts the USD 1million Group 2 Bahrain International Trophy on Friday, 14 November.

The ten furlongs (2000 metres) contest is assured international interest with the winners of the Sapporo Kinen in Japan, York’s Sky Bet and Symphony Group Strensall Stakes and the first three home in the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown all guaranteed automatic entry.

Michael Prosser TurfTrax Head of Racing Services said, “We have been working with the team at Bahrain Turf Club for most of this year.  Testing of the GoingStick on the track at Rashid Equestrian & Horseracing Club and analysis of the data in Cambridgeshire has been ongoing since early Spring.

“We are delighted to add another major racing authority to our international portfolio of clients and look forward to developing a long and successful relationship.”

The Bahrain Turf Club’s season continues on 19 December with the start of the USD 1million 12-race Bahrain Turf Series, a further initiative designed to attract international runners targeting horses rated between 85-102 to compete against those locally trained.

Ed Veale Director of Racing & International Relations at Bahrain Turf Club said, “As we continue to build the international profile of racing in Bahrain it’s appropriate that we adopt international standards alongside our own innovations. 

“TurfTrax GoingStick readings are commonly recognised among the trainers we aim to attract and the more data we can provide to them ahead of entry and declaration stages the better.”

Bahrain Turf Club Clerk of the Course Andy Waitt added, “The TurfTrax GoingStick is a valuable tool for assessing the track and scheduling irrigation. 

“With sustained use over the coming seasons we will be able to create an archive of data which will be useful for monitoring climatic variations and formulating maintenance programmes.”

To access Going information for Rashid Equestrian & Horseracing Club click the ‘Latest Data’ tab on the top right of this page.