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In a masterful display of speed and precision, Straight No Chaser under the skilled guidance of John Velazquez and trainer Dan Blacker claimed victory in the Gr.2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint, securing an automatic berth in the 2025 Breeders' Cup Sprint. The American challenger demonstrated remarkable acceleration in the closing stages, securing a memorable triumph for My Racehorse connections on the prestigious Saudi Cup card. This victory adds another jewel to the remarkable story of a horse that emerged as America's premier dirt sprinter following consecutive wins in the Grade 2 Santa Anita Sprint Championship and the Breeders' Cup Sprint at Del Mar last November.
The locally-trained Muqtahem, prepared by Thamer Aldaihani, delivered a spirited performance under Muhammad Aldaham to secure second place, representing Sheikh Abdullah Homoud Almalek Alsabah with distinction. Japanese contender Gabby's Sister, trained by Kazutomo Mori, showed tremendous heart under Christophe Lemaire to complete the international trilogy in third position, further highlighting the global appeal of Saudi racing.
Straight No Chaser's journey to Saudi success is a testament to patient training and precise management. A US$110,000 purchase at the Fasig-Tipton 2YO in training sale, the son of Speightster has blossomed into a global sprint star under Blacker's careful guidance. Despite challenges including California wildfires affecting his preparation at Santa Anita Park, where training was temporarily restricted, the 6YO maintained his impressive form. His natural talent, combined with Blacker's methodical approach, has seen him compile an impressive record of six wins from ten starts, with earnings now exceeding US$1.4 million.
Dubai Next Target
The race, once again proved its significance in the international sprint calendar, drawing together a diverse field of competitors from three continents. The victory of Straight No Chaser not only underscores the growing prominence of American sprinters on the global stage but also reinforces the Saudi Cup meeting's status as a premier international racing festival. With the Dubai Golden Shaheen potentially next on the agenda, this emerging sprint sensation continues to build his legacy as one of the most exciting dirt sprinters in recent years. The enthusiasm displayed by the capacity crowd at King Abdulaziz Racecourse reflected the meeting's continued success in attracting world-class competitors to the Kingdom.
Winner - Straight No Chaser (USA)
Jockey - John Velazquez
Trainer - Dan Blacker
Owner - My Racehorse
Runner up 1 - Muqtahem (IRE)
Jockey - Muhammad Aldaham
Trainer - Thamer Aldaihani
owner - Sheikh Abdullah Homoud Almalek Alsabah
Runner up 2 - Gabby's Sister (JPN)
Jockey - Christophe Lemaire
Trainer - Kazutomo Mori
Owner - Kazuhiko Nagashima