Spirit Dancer gets up in Fergie time for Bahrain repeat

There were more Middle Eastern celebrations for Sir Alex Ferguson as Spirit Dancer saw off all comers to retain his title in the Bahrain International Trophy.

Richard Fahey’s seven-year-old landed the race last season to kick-start a spell in the region during which he also won the Neom Turf Cup.

Due to an injury picked up in Dubai, he had then run just once since returning from his travels, but his beaten effort in the Darley Stakes at Newmarket clearly set him up perfectly for a repeat of last year’s heroics.

The gelding was ridden by Oisin Orr for an ownership group made up of Ferguson, Fred Done and Ged Mason in a field of 12 that included fellow British-trained entrants Alflaila, Nations Pride and Lead Artist.

Having broken from stall 11, Spirit Dancer remained on the outside and had ground to make up turning for home, but gradually he reeled in John and Thady Gosden’s Lead Artist to score neatly.

Ferguson, who also bred the horse alongside Niall McLoughlin, said: “It’s unbelievable, he was so far behind I said ‘he’s not going to do it’. I don’t know where he got it from. It was fantastic and he’s a fantastic jockey.

“He’s had to find something like four lengths to catch the leading horse and somehow he got there.

“It was fantastic and I’m really proud of him and proud of the jockey because he sat motionless and didn’t panic at all.”

Co-owner Mason added: “You think lightning wouldn’t strike twice but it has today and it is a fantastic feat what Richard and the team back home have done.

“Credit to them for getting him back from his injury, it’s fantastic. I’m so happy for this fella (Ferguson), who bred him and last year it was a bit of a tonic after we sadly lost Lady Cathy (Ferguson’s late wife), who we said rode him last time and I think she rode him again.”

Fahey commented: “The horse was in great form and he loves the place. It’s horses for courses and he seems to love this place and the trip is ideal.

“But it was a different race to watch this year. At three out, I thought ‘we’ll trot up’, but then the second horse kicked clear and we were struggling to get by him.

“I was sort of thinking he’d run a good race to finish second but then the last hundred yards I did shout him home – it was wonderful, great. A great race for us to watch anyway, maybe not for the second.

“It’s exceptional for us, and what I do like is how much enjoyment Ged, Sir Alex and Peter Done get out of it. They are extremely successful men and to see the enjoyment they get is unbelievable. I’m with them this year and am really, really excited – it’s fantastic.”

On future plans, the trainer said: “I want to see how he is after this race but I haven’t drawn a line through going to Hong Kong, all his paperwork is in place and I want to go, so we’ll see.

“But the most important one is done and anything after this is a bonus.”