Manama: The Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club (REHC) held the first race of the 2024-2025 season on Friday at its racecourse in Al Riffa, Sakhir, in the presence of His Highness Shaikh Turki bin Rashid bin Isa Al Khalifa, Deputy Chairman of the National Arts Council, and His Highness Shaikh Faisal bin Rashid bin Isa Al Khalifa, Vice President of the Supreme Council for Environment, Deputy Chairman of the REHC High Committee, and Member of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports.

According to Bahrain News Agency, the eight-round race was held over the Cups of the late His Highness Shaikh Rashid bin Isa Al Khalifa and drew enthusiastic fans from across the Kingdom. The season inaugurated in an atmosphere that merged the Club’s historical legacy with recent developments, notably introducing night races for the first time in the Club’s history. This change offered spectators an experience under floodlights, showcasing REHC’s commitment to modernising the horseracing sport.

This opening race reflected the
Club’s readiness for a season of challenges and competitions, underscoring Bahrain’s advancement in horseracing and its sporting heritage. Winners of the Cups of the late His Highness Shaikh Rashid bin Isa Al Khalifa were crowned in various rounds. His Highness Shaikh Turki bin Rashid bin Isa Al Khalifa presented the Opening Day Cup for the eighth round to winning trainer A.M. Smith and the fifth-round trophy to winning owner Hadi Ebrahim Al Afoo. His Highness Shaikh Faisal bin Rashid Al Khalifa awarded the seventh-round trophy to trainer A.M. Smith.

His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa received the third-round trophy from His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Rashid bin Isa Al Khalifa, who also presented the sixth-round trophy to winning owner Hassan Abdallah. The event concluded with His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Turki bin Rashid Al Khalifa crowning trainer Yousif Taher as winner of the first round and Abdallah Fawzi Nass as winner of the fourth round.