Jockey Robert Winston's Bahrain Comeback Cut Short: Licence Suspended After Two Races
A seasoned jockey who recently came out of retirement to ride in Bahrain has had his licence suspended after just two races. Robert Winston, a former champion jockey in Britain, made a successful return to the saddle at the Sakhir racecourse, winning on both mounts trained by Paul Smith. However, his comeback was short-lived as Smith confirmed that Winston was no longer working for him, with his licence suspended pending an investigation by Bahrain Turf Club officials.
The reason for Winston's suspension remains unclear, with officials stating that it follows an incident and is part of an ongoing inquiry. This development comes just ahead of Bahrain's prestigious race, the £750,000 Bahrain International Trophy, which is set to feature several British and UAE-trained horses. Notable entries include Pride Of Arras, Royal Champion, Persica, and Lion's Pride, trained by renowned names like Ralph Beckett, Karl Burke, Richard Hannon, and John and Thady Gosden.
The Gosdens have a strong track record in the Bahrain International Trophy, having finished as runner-up multiple times. This year, they will be looking to secure victory with Lion's Pride. The UAE will also be represented in the race by Military Order, owned by Godolphin and trained by Charlie Appleby. The outcome of Winston's suspension and the impact on the upcoming race remain to be seen, adding an element of intrigue to the highly anticipated event.