HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad crowns winners as National Day horse racing festival concludes

Riffa, Dec. 19 (BNA): Under the patronage and attendance of His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, Chairman of the General Sports Authority, and President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club (REHC) concluded the National Day Festival with the tenth race of the season, held on Thursday and Friday, December 18–19.

The closing race featured competition for the Cup of His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, along with the cups of His Highness’s sons: HH Shaikh Faisal bin Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, HH Shaikh Abdulla bin Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, HH Shaikh Nasser bin Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, HH Shaikh Salman bin Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and HH Shaikh Hamad bin Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa. The programme also included the Manama Cup, sponsored by Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait (BBK), and the Muharraq Cup, sponsored by Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), as part of the opening round of the Bahrain International Trophy.

The festival coincided with the Kingdom of Bahrain’s National Day celebrations and the 26th anniversary of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s accession to the throne. The closing event was attended by a number of Their Highnesses, officials, and a large public audience.

During the awarding ceremony, His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa presented his cup to Tariq Al Saffar, Chairman of BBK. HH Shaikh Faisal bin Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa presented his cup to winning trainer Robert McDowell. HH Shaikh Hamad bin Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa awarded the first-race cup to trainer Yousif Taher, while HH Shaikh Salman bin Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa presented the second-race cup to winning owner HH Shaikh Salman bin Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa. HH Shaikh Abdulla bin Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa awarded the third-race cup to owner Mohammed Khalid Abdulrahim, and HH Shaikh Nasser bin Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa presented the fifth-race cup to owner Kumail Al Mallah.

Winners of the first round of the fifth edition of the Bahrain International Trophy were also crowned. Tariq Al Saffar presented the Manama Cup to the winning owner, along with prizes for the winning trainer and jockey in the seventh race. Hisham Al Kooheji, Chief Marketing Officer of Alba, presented the Muharraq Cup to the winning owner, in addition to prizes for the winning trainer and jockey in the eighth race.