Batelco challenge is highlight of new racing season

The Batelco Al Dana Trophy, the Batelco Broadband Stakes, and the Batelco Gold Cup will make up the Batelco Challenge.

"We are delighted to sponsor the Batelco Challenge," says Tony Hart, Chief Executive at Batelco. "A love of horses and a passion for racing are inextricably linked with The Kingdom of Bahrain and these three races - together with their generous prize fund - will fuel interest and a will to win amongst jockeys, owners and spectators, alike."

The Batelco Al Dana Trophy - which will be held on March 11 - will be run over a distance of 1800 metres, with April 8th's Batelco Broadband Stakes and the Batelco Gold Cup on May 6th both being run over a distance of 1600 metres. Each of the three races - all handicapped according to Bahrain Equestrian and Horse Racing rules - boasts a winner's purse together with prizes for the jockeys and owners.

"If one horse wins all three races in the Batelco Challenge, the owner will receive a bonus purse, making the Batelco Challenge one of the richest purses in the 2005 racing calendar ," explains Ahmed Al Janahi, Senior Manager - Corporate Affairs at Batelco.

In addition, Batelco is sponsoring 'A Day at the Races' on May 6th - Batelco Gold Cup day. The company is funding the prize money for five races that day, with the grand finale being the running of the Batelco Gold Cup and the possibility of a three-race Challenge winner in the field.

"Bahrain has a rich history of equine sports and a unique link with the horse, with our own breed of Bahraini Arab horse being among the most beautiful and temperamentally sound breeds in the world," explains Ahmed.

"In addition, it is a very great honour for Batelco to support a sport that is so close to the heart of His Majesty, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. We are sure that The Batelco Challenge will help to further promote Bahrain's place in the world horseracing calendar."

Mr Khalid Al Musallam, Deputy General Manager of the Bahrain Equestrian and Horse Racing Club, expressed his appreciation to Batelco by saying: "Through its support to the Bahrain Equestrian and Horse Racing club over the last two decades, Batelco has demonstrated its commitment to the improvement of horse racing as well as its interest in maintaining the authenticity and distinguished status of this sport in the history and heritage of the Kingdom of Bahrain. This is clearly illustrated in the qualitative leap reflected by the introduction of three cups for three races making the Batelco Challenge one of the most prominent features of horseracing in the Kingdom."

The Batelco Challenge sponsorship forms part of the company's commitment to sporting excellence within The Kingdom of Bahrain. Other major Batelco sports sponsorships include: The Bahrain National Football Team, the Bahrain Premier League, Bahrain International Circuit, The Bahrain National Basketball Team and League and the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation.