Darlington racehorse trainer home safe after Bahrain ordeal

Chloe, assistant to her father, Michael, arrived back at Denton Hall stables, near Darlington, this afternoon (Monday) after managing to get on a flight out of Bahrain with a dozen staff from other racing yards.

Chloe left the Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club mid-afternoon on Sunday but when she got to the airport, the air space was closed to all flights due to a missile attack.

She told how she watched drones being intercepted and blown up in the sky overhead.

Her flight was eventually cleared for take-off and she landed at Heathrow this morning after a six-and-a-half hour flight before catching a train back to Darlington.

“I’m just glad to be back home after such a long journey and a scary couple of weeks since the conflict started,” she said.

Chloe’s father, Michael, praised the Bahrain racing authorities for their care of the British contingent, and for keeping everyone informed about what was happening.

“It’s a huge relief to have Chloe home and we thank them for doing a great job in difficult circumstances,” said Michael.

Chloe had flown out to Bahrain to manage two of the yards best known horses, Commanche Falls and Northern Express, who travelled to the Middle East in December.

Both horses ran three times in Bahrain, with Commanche Falls finishing runner-up twice, and Northern Express being third.

The horses – both multiple winners in England – had been scheduled to run again at the end of the last week but were withdrawn in the interests of safety.

The horses are now being cared for by a Bahraini groom until flights can be arranged to get them back to England.

“The authorities over there are working on it and they’ll hopefully be home soon,” added Michael.

Chloe had to hurriedly vacate her apartment in Seef last week after a nearby residential area was struck by a missile. She initially moved into a jockeys’ house 20 minutes out of the city before the Bahrain authorities arranged more permanent accommodation in a safer area for the British staff.

Despite the ordeal, Chloe hopes to go back to Bahrain in the future. “Obviously, it wasn’t the way I wanted it to end but, up to the conflict starting, it was a great experience. I was with a great bunch of people and I’ve made new friends.

“Hopefully, things will settle down as soon as possible and I’d do it again given the opportunity,” she said.

In the meantime, Chloe has been getting reacquainted with the horses at Denton Hall, especially her personal favourite, Roaring Ralph, who has won twice while she’s been away.

And the she’ll be straight back to work – riding out first thing in the morning!