LONDON: British trainer George Scott is making waves in the Middle East with a string of impressive victories across Bahrain and Dubai, and soon, he hopes, in Saudi Arabia.
The Newmarket-based handler has enjoyed remarkable success, most notably guiding Isle of Jura to a historic Bahraini Triple Crown in 2024 for Sheikh Nasser Al-Khalifa’s Victorious Racing.
Scott’s winning form has continued into the 2025 season, with Phantom Flight securing victory in The Crown Prince Cup, the first leg of the Bahraini Triple Crown. The gelding is now poised to follow in Isle of Jura’s footsteps.
“Phantom Flight has gone from strength to strength physically and mentally in Bahrain. He’s thrived there and has taken a big step forward on his last start. I am very much looking forward to HH Sheikh Nasser’s Cup in a few weeks’ time and then The King’s Cup. Hopefully he can follow Isle of Jura,” Scott said in comments to Great British Racing International.
Reflecting on his successful campaign in Bahrain, Scott praised the teamwork behind his achievements.
“I’ve loved my season in Bahrain. It’s been an incredible success so far; all credit goes to my staff out there and my owners Sheikh Nasser and the City House boys. Those horses have been selected for that purpose and it has gone well so far.”
Scott’s winning touch has also extended to Dubai, where West Acre stormed to victory in the Group 2 Blue Point Sprint. The three-year-old sprinter is now being primed for Super Saturday, with hopes of securing a place on the prestigious Dubai World Cup card.
“West Acre has always been a horse that we held in very high regard at home. It’s been well documented that he picked up an injury in the spring last year which meant he could not have a conventional two-year-old campaign. Last time he gave us one of those moments that rarely happens on the racetrack; he really impressed me with his turn of foot,” Scott said.
Looking ahead, Scott has high hopes for his charge on one of the biggest nights in global racing.
“He will go to Super Saturday now and then onto the Al Quoz Sprint on World Cup night, all being well. He’s shown a liking to the track at Meydan and we are all hoping he can repeat that performance again, because if he does, he will be a Group 1 sprinter. We will then consider long-term plans for him, but the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes over five furlongs (1,006 meters) at Royal Ascot is in the picture.”
Scott’s Middle Eastern campaign extends to Saudi Arabia, where Prydwen is set to make his debut in the Group 2 Red Sea Turf Handicap on Feb. 22 as part of the Saudi Cup meeting. The seven-year-old, who won the German St. Leger last year, recently finished fourth in a Group 3 contest at Meydan, beaten by just a length.
“Prydwen took a little time to acclimatize to life in the Middle East and I was much happier with him going into his second race. He’s come forward again for that run and I am looking forward to the Red Sea Turf,” Scott said.
“It will be my first runner in Saudi, something that I’ve always wanted to do. We are under no illusions as to how difficult a race it will be but he should enjoy the conditions and the trip. It will be an interesting first runner for us and hopefully we will spend more time there in the future,” he added.
With major targets on the horizon in Bahrain, Dubai and Saudi Arabia, Scott’s presence in the Middle Eastern racing scene is growing stronger by the day. His continued success highlights the increasing global footprint of British trainers and the strength of British-trained horses on the international stage.
