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| Staff Writer |
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The US$20 million Saudi Cup is shaping up to be the strongest renewal yet, with a stellar cast of international runners targeting the dirt contest at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on 22 February.
Sierra Leone is poised for a rematch with his Kentucky Derby rivals, as winner Mystik Dan and Japanese raider Forever Young are among the entries. The latter, who finished third at Churchill Downs, brings impressive credentials having captured both the Saudi Derby and UAE Derby in 2023.
Adding international flavour, Japanese champion Danon Decile and Argentine sensation El Kodigo, a five-time Group One winner, are set to compete. However, all eyes could be on Hong Kong superstar Romantic Warrior, who is considering a first attempt on dirt following multiple Group One victories across Asia and Australia.
Danny Shum, Romantic Warrior's trainer, said during a December visit to Riyadh: "Me and the owners know he's a very talented horse and we believe he will handle it. We don't know for sure if he'll handle it. But I hope so."
Bob Baffert, who correctly predicted the race would attract top talent, has yet to claim the prize despite multiple attempts. His previous runners include Mucho Gusto (third in 2020), Charlatan (second in 2021), and Country Grammer (second in 2022 and 2023). This year, he has nominated Imagination and Mirahmadi, with the former also entered in the Gr.2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint.
The two-day meeting has drawn 1,123 entries from 21 countries, including 81 individual Group One winners, competing for total purses of US$38.1 million.
HRH Prince Bandar Bin Khaled Alfaisal, chairman of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, emphasised: "Horse racing thrives on international competition and we believe that The Saudi Cup is the perfect event to showcase the best of global racing. The Saudi Cup itself is the pinnacle of our racing season and in a few short years has become a truly global race. This year's renewal looks perhaps the strongest yet."
The fixture includes supporting races for Purebred Arabians and features a jockeys' competition highlighting female riders on day one. Book'em Danno, who nearly won last year's Saudi Derby, returns for the US$2 million Gr.2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint, further strengthening an already impressive card.