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| Staff Writer |
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Luxembourg, the son of Camelot, was initially set to participate in the Gr.1 Saudi Cup, which is the world's most valuable horse race, with a distance of 1800m and a prize money of US$20m.
However, Aidan O'Brien, the trainer of Luxembourg, has decided against it and has instead chosen to enter him in the Gr.2 Howden Neom Turf Cup over 2100m on turf. This decision was taken to give the horse a more familiar assignment, and to avoid his first dirt start. It's worth noting that this will be the most valuable race for Ballydoyle since Magic Wand in 2020.
O’Brien said, “It’s his first run back after a little break and we just felt it was going to be too tough a race to pitch him into for his first time on dirt. The competition is very strong, and he’s never run on the surface before, so we thought it was a bit too much to ask of him. The Neom Turf Cup will suit him better.”
In early December, the 5YO gave a good fight to secure a silver medal, finishing close behind Romantic Warrior. Aidan O'Brien believes that the horse is now ready for his next international race in Riyadh on 24th February.
“We’ve been very happy with him since Hong Kong,” he said. “It was the first time he’d been on a long trip abroad and he ran a great race and took the travel very well. We were very pleased with the run, and he’s been in good form since. Hopefully, he runs well in the Neom Turf Cup and maybe that opens up the option of Dubai. He could be a horse that travels a lot over the coming year. He’s got a very high level of form and some solid foundations to build from.”
Elaborating further on the decision to opt for turf over dirt, O’Brien explained, “The Neom Turf Cup looks ideal. Everyone has been very complimentary about the track in Riyadh, and we think it’s a track that will really suit him, and obviously the prize money is very good, so we had to consider it. The Saudi Cup meeting is a very important festival now and it’s great to be going there with a couple of good chances.”
In addition, O'Brien will be entering Tower Of London in the 3000m Gr.3 Longines Red Sea Turf Handicap, marking the 4YO's return to racing since September.
“Tower Of London has had a good long break all winter,” said the trainer. “We’ve aimed him at the Red Sea Turf as we think both the trip and nice ground will really suit him. We certainly think he’s a horse that’s going to progress a lot this season, so he could be a horse that goes onto Dubai after this.”