THE hardy veteran Spirit Dancer created a piece of history in Bahrain on Friday evening when he became the first horse to win the country’s most prestigious race, the Bahrain International Trophy, twice.
Trained at Musley Bank, just outside Malton by Richard Fahey, the seven-year-old runs in the familiar red colours of former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who bred him and shares ownership with his friends Ged Mason and Peter Done.
When he won the race in 2023 Sir Alex described it as his best moment in racing but little did he know that he and his horse would be back in the same winners’ enclosure a year later.
It didn’t seem likely to his trainer either because Spirit Dancer had been injured and didn’t have the ideal preparation for a race that is worth nearly £500,000 to the winner, but win it he did, and in the most dramatic of styles.
Drawn in stall 11, the same stall as in 2023, Spirit Dancer bounced out of the stalls but was immediately taken back and settled in last place by stable jockey Oisin Orr.
He was still last as the field turned into the home straight, but after being switched to the outside he gradually began to creep closer. But he looked to have a mountain to climb when the race favourite, the Newmarket-trained Lead Artist, who had been ridden more prominently, was sent clear inside the last quarter mile.
However, gradually with every stride, the tough seven-year-old eked into that lead and collaring his rival 50 yards from the winning line, went on to win by a length and a quarter.
It was a far cry to his previous run at Newmarket in October, when coming back after injury and a break of more than six months, Spirit Dancer had trailed in seventh of eight in the Group 3 Space Blues Darley Stakes some 13 and a half lengths behind Friday’s runner-up.
It was a remarkable training performance by Richard and his team to get him back to top form in the four weeks since that race, but back in form he was.
“I don’t know how he did it but he was fantastic, and Oisin was fantastic as well. I am incredibly proud of him and of Oisin as well, he was very cool, sitting motionless and not panicking at all.”
Co-owner Ged Mason added; “I am so happy for Sir Alex who bred him. When he won it last year it was a bit of a tonic for Sir Alex who had lost his wife, Lady Cathy, the month before. He said she rode him in spirit and she has done it again.
“You don’t think lightning can strike twice in the same place, but it has today. What a feat by horse, trainer and jockey.”
Having had a long, enforced break when out through injury, Spirit Dancer is something of a fresh horse and Richard has other races in mind for him during the winter.
He said: “As he’s had a light season he could go to Hong Kong for their big international meeting next month.
“Today’s win means an awful lot. He had a completely different preparation from last year and I was a little disappointed with his comeback run but he seems to love it here and has thrived all week.
“What amazes me is what his win means to the three very successful men who own him. It is amazing what racehorses can do to people. Days like this are a great advertisement for the sport and anyone who feels they would like to get involved should watch their reaction.”
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