The Group 2 Bahrain International Trophy has proven frustrating for the John and Thady Gosden team over the years, with each of their four previous contenders finishing second.

In the first renewal in 2019, their hot favourite Turgenev was beaten by French representative Royal Julius, and the bad luck has continued. Global Giant was denied by a neck in 2020, Israr fell victim to Spirit Dancer in 2023 and Lead Artist finished second in last year's renewal before going onto Group 1 glory.

This year's representative Lion's Pride has always demonstrated potential, winning the Listed Floodlit Stakes at Kempton as a three-year-old. Gelded at the end of 2024, the now five-year-old has only raced twice in 2025, including a wide-margin victory in the Listed Godolphin Stakes at Newmarket.

"He'd been off for a while before Newmarket, but he was training well going into the race," said Thady Gosden.

"We thought he'd run well but didn't expect him to win like that.

"We discussed the Bahrain International Trophy with his owner-breeder, Mr Oppenheimer, and it felt like the right race to come to.

"He's a different profile to the other horses we've brought to Bahrain – we've brought two older horses and two three-year-olds – they've all ran well. It's a very competitive race this year with Royal Champion, who was third in the Irish Champion Stakes."

The trip to Bahrain could be a first of many international voyages for Lion's Pride and he has taken the transition well.

"It's Lion's Pride's first trip aboard. He's a horse we could possibly see campaigning internationally, but we'll see how he goes.

"He's adjusted well. As you'd expect, the first couple of days he's been having a good look around to see what's going on but he's really settled into it – this morning, he's completely unphased."

The appeal of Bahrain has continued to grow for the Gosden team over the years, and their narrow defeats have not precluded further runners.

"It's a fantastic place to be," added Gosden.

"The equine facilities are world-class, there has been a lot of development, and the race has changed in complexion over the last few years, going from strength to strength.

"The track is a European style of track – it's right-handed, galloping with a long straight. It has a different dynamic than other racecourses in the Gulf."