Simsir shines under Lee Newman in Bahrain International Trophy

Global Giant and Sovereign fly late, but line comes in time for Fawzi Nass-trained winner.

Simsir caused an upset in the second running of the Bahrain International Trophy at Sakhir racecourse under former champion apprentice Lee Newman.

Formerly trained by Mick Halford in Ireland, the Zoffany gelding joined Bahrain national Fawzi Nass only recently and benefited from an enterprising ride by Newman

John Egan set stiff early fractions on Coolagh Forest and while the rest of the field were content to ignore him, Newman never let the leader out of his sight.

Before turning into the home straight Simsir took over at the head of affairs in the GBP 500,000 showpiece and it then became a matter of whether he could hold on.

Global Giant was awkward from the stalls under Frankie Dettori and had to come wide before making rapid strides late on, with Ryan Moore and last year’s Irish Derby winner Sovereign also finishing strongly.

The three flashed across the line almost together but Newman – who attempted similar tactics in last year’s race on Rustang only to be caught late on – had just left enough up his sleeve.

Nass also ran the well-fancied Port Lions but he finished just out of the frame.

Nass said: “This is a dream come true. I’m usually an invitee at another country so it’s nice to win it at home.

“It was a thrilling race, but I think the jockey won the race – Lee Newman gave him an absolute peach. Lee has been riding well here and knows the track well which is why we opted for him.

“I had to pick Port Lions (unplaced), but obviously Simsir is a good horse in Europe so he deserves to be here.

“It’s too early to think what is next, I didn’t expect this.”

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Fawzi Nass Lee Newman

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