Denton Hall News

Dods' horses poised to start New Year with runs in Bahrain

TWO of Michael Dods’ stable stars are reported to have acclimatised well after being flown out to race in Bahrain in the early months of the new year.

Multiple winners Northern Express and Commanche Falls flew from Stansted Airport in the middle of December and have their first runs this Friday, with Paul Mulrennan riding both.

“The owners were keen to give it a try, it’s good prize money, and you always have to be looking to broaden your horizons,” said Dods. “The horses have acclimatised well and will be sharper after their first runs on Friday.”

The stable has had placed runners in Dubai in the past but Northern Express and Commanche Falls are the first Dods’ charges to go to Bahrain.

Assistant trainer Chloe Dods has travelled out to Bahrain to oversee the operation and ride out the horses every day at the Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club.

Chloe said: “It’s a great new experience for me and I’m really enjoying it. It took the horses a couple of days to get used to the temperature but they’ve settled well now.”

Northern Express could have as many as six or seven runs in Bahrain, while dual Stewards’ Cup winner Commanche Falls is scheduled to run three times between now and early March when the pair are due to fly home.

Commanche Falls – owned by Doug Graham, Ian Davison and Alan Drysdale – has 12 career wins to his name, while Northern Express has won seven times for The Sekura Group.

• The main picture shows Northern Express exercising in Bahrain with Chloe in the saddle. Inset shows Commanche Falls and Chloe going through their paces in the sunshine.