As the season gathers pace, The Bahrain Turf Club is set to host a compelling Friday race meeting on December 26, where competitive depth and rising ambition will unfold across an eight-race programme highlighted by the ALBA Cup, the evening’s feature contest. With imported and Bahrain-bred talent sharing the spotlight, the card is expected to build steadily toward its defining moment at 6:00 pm.
The centrepiece of the meeting will be Race 5 – the ALBA Cup, an Imported, Class 1, Domestic Grade 2 contest run over 2000 metres for a prize purse of BHD 5,000. As the highest-rated race of the day, it is poised to test stamina, class, and tactical execution, and will stand as the clearest measure of elite form on the card.
Racing will begin at 4:00 pm with Race 1, the ALBA Arabian Cup, a multi-class event open to Class 2, Class 3, Class 4 and Maiden runners over 1400 metres, offering BHD 1,500. The early tempo will continue with Race 2, the ALBA Rising Stars Cup, a Bahrain-bred handicap at 4:30 pm, also run over 1400 metres for BHD 2,000, where emerging local talent will be closely watched.
At 5:00 pm, attention will shift to imported runners in Race 3, the ALBA Eternal Cup, a WFA contest for Class 3, Class 4 and Maidens, again over 1400 metres, carrying a purse of BHD 3,000. The progression in distance will follow in Race 4, the ALBA Bahrain Bred Handicap Cup, scheduled for 5:30 pm over 1800 metres, offering BHD 2,000 and serving as a key bridge toward the feature race.
With momentum firmly established, the evening will peak with the ALBA Cup at 6:00 pm, where the longest trip of the night over 2000 metres and the richest purse of BHD 5,000 combine to define the meeting’s narrative.
Contenders: WAVE RIDER, WESTRIDGE, SIGNALMAN, ROLLAJAM, SOVEREIGN SPIRIT
The later stages of the card will maintain intensity rather than ease off. Race 6, the ALBA Handicap Sprint Cup, will bring speed back into focus at 6:30 pm over 1200 metres for BHD 2,000, followed by Race 7, the Aluminum for the World Sprint Cup, a sharp 1000-metre dash at 7:00 pm with BHD 3,000 on offer.
The programme will conclude at 7:30 pm with Race 8, the ALBA Equine Excellence Cup, a Bahrain-bred WFA maiden over 1200 metres, worth BHD 2,000, offering a final glimpse into developing talent before the night draws to a close.
With a structured rise in quality, a clear headline race, and a balance of imported and local contests, December 26 at the Bahrain Turf Club is set to deliver a purposeful and competitive evening, where the ALBA Cup stands as the ultimate target and every race plays its role in shaping the night’s rhythm.
With a clear rise in class and prize money, the Bahrain Racecards 26 December are headlined by the ALBA Cup, the richest and longest race on the card.
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