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| Staff Writer |
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The inaugural run of the Prince Khalid Bin Abdullah Cup to be held on the same day as the Saudi Cup has left international jockey Frankie Dettori with a sense of nostalgia and excitement.
The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia has launched the 2,100m feature to honour the memory of Prince Khalid Bin Abdullah at the King Abdulaziz Racecourse. It was considered highly appropriate by both his family and the JCSA that it should be held on the turf track and over the 10.5f distance at which some of his most famous horses excelled.
“The Prince Khalid Bin Abdullah Cup on Saturday looks an interesting race, with plenty of familiar names in there like My Frankel and Fabilis. I remember I rode Crossed Baton to win the Derby Trial at Epsom a few years back and he only left John’s [Gosden] last year, so he’s interesting too,” he said.
Dettori enjoyed a long and fruitful partnership with Prince Khalid, with the dual Arc heroine Enable. He considers him one of the greatest supporters of international horseracing and among the leading breeders in England. He has vowed that Prince Khalid would never be forgotten. In numerous interviews, Dettori has expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to ride for him with Enable, leaving him with wonderful memories.
“Prince Khalid Bin Abdullah did amazing things for the sport of horse racing and it’s a pleasure to ride in the race named in his honour,” said Dettori, “He will never be forgotten, and I’ll be forever grateful for all the opportunities I was given to ride for him, not least Enable who gave us all such incredible memories.
Dettori has been Champion Jockey on several occasions. He has ridden the winners of more than 500 Group races. This includes twenty winners of the English classics. His most celebrated achievement was riding all seven winners on British Champion’s Day at Ascot. He has been described by Lester Piggott as the best jockey currently riding.
He will be riding a number of the best horses at the Saudi Cup race day, the day of the world's richest horse race meeting.
Dettori reveals his admiration and fondness for Prince Abdullah, shares the secret of some of his greatest successes and what he sees in store for the region in this exclusive interview with Ten Furlongs:
Q: Please tell us a bit more about your relationship with the late Prince Khalid and your most memorable race win with him and Enable in the winning circle.
A: Prince Khalid was one of the greatest supporters of international horseracing and among the leading breeders in England. His legacy is enormous. I rode many winners for him over the years but Enable is the most memorable. She was an extraordinary racehorse, winning The King George 3 times and The Arc twice.
Q: Please tell us more about your first experience racing in Saudi and your plans for riding in the Saudi Cup this year?
A: I first rode in Saudi about 25 years ago, and it was enjoyable. The racing scene is now very sophisticated and advanced. The Saudi Cup is now the richest race in the world and therefore, very hard to win. I hope to pick up a decent ride.
Q: As the jockey responsible for some of the most memorable moments in world racing, please tell us one major factor that made these iconic victories possible?
A: I think my experience combined with my longevity in the saddle are the two key factors. I have also had to work hard to keep my weight down.
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Q: You are a world-class jockey and a businessman with varied interests. With family and other social pressures on your time, you continue to deliver bigger race wins each year. How do you manage every facet of your intricate role?
A: I have a great team around me. I have always enjoyed the opportunities life offers. It makes racing a more balanced feature of my life.
Q: What shaped you into one of the most inspiring jockeys of this decade? What advice would you give a person hoping to follow in your footsteps?
A: The advice is the same as any other business. Respect your elders and learn from them. Asking for advice is something to be proud of and a young rider should grasp that early on. A jockey’s life is tough, and all the tools are needed to survive it.
Q: Where do you see Saudi racing and GCC racing in the forthcoming decade?
A: If the racing scene in Saudi continues to thrive at this same rate, it will not be long before they are toe to toe internationally.
Q: You have ridden some of the greatest horses in the world. Which race day, race, and horse is your favourite?
A: That is a difficult question. Enable and Dubai Millennium are my stand-out moments combined with my seven-timer at Ascot in 1996, where every single horse was a star. However, the last one, Fujiyama Crest, has to be the star!
Q: What is the one race you would really like to win and why?
A: I want to win The Saudi Cup and The Melbourne Cup before I retire as they are both missing from my CV.