Six years after the inauguration of the Bahrain International Trophy, won by Royal Juliusthe resident of Jérôme Reynier, two other French competitors will try to follow in his footsteps when they start this event, contested over 2,000 meters. Promoted to Group II, the Bahrain International Trophy, which is being run for the first time under the spotlights, is more competitive than ever. Effectively, Califtrained by Carlos & Yann Lerner, as well that Andromedacoached by Francis-Henri Graffard, will have to compete with Spirit Dancerwho tries to defend his shot, Alflaila et Nations Pride, the two horses with the highest rating in the event, as well as two Japanese competitors. “Obviously this looks very competitive, confirms Francis-Henri Graffard. The Anglo-Saxon horses are very good, but we have a good rope number and the mare is on the rise. Christophe (Soumillon) knows her well and she had worked very well before taking the plane. Now, his best performances are over 1,800 meters and whether 2,000 meters will be a bit like the end of the world, we will see, it will also depend on how the race goes.” Pour Calif, This is a second start in this event where he disappointed last year by finishing ninth. “He is a group I winner in Germany over this distance, beating Fantastic Moon, declares Yann Lerner. On these values, we have the right to hope for something.”No 3-year-old has won this event, but Lead Artisttrained by John & Thady Gosden and recent winner of the Darley Stakes, Group III, contested over 1,800 meters, is a horse in full progress and could finally change this statistic.
