 |
|
| Staff Writer |
 |
Major players from across the racing world are heading to King Abdulaziz Racecourse next week, with Hong Kong sensation Romantic Warrior leading an all-star cast for the sixth running of the Gr.1 Saudi Cup.
The Danny Shum-trained gelding, a three-time Hong Kong Cup winner, will be partnered by regular rider James McDonald when taking on dirt for the first time. He faces stiff competition from White Abarrio, winner of the 2023 Gr.1 Breeders' Cup Classic and recent Gr.1 Pegasus World Cup victor for trainer Saffie Joseph.
Last year's Gr.1 Dubai World Cup winner Laurel River, trained by Bhupat Seemar, and 2024 Gr.3 Saudi Derby winner Forever Young from the Yoshito Yahagi yard are confirmed runners, alongside Walk Of Stars, fresh from winning the Gr.1 Al Maktoum Challenge.
The Japanese challenge is particularly strong, with Ushba Tesoro and Wilson Tesoro representing trainer Noboru Takagi, while Ramjet joins them from the Shozo Sasaki stable. American interests are bolstered by Rattle N Roll, trained by Kenny McPeek, and Pegasus World Cup runner-up Locked for Todd Pletcher. French challenger Facteur Cheval for trainer Jerome Reynier and local hope El Kodigo, trained by Abdulaziz Mashref, complete the feature race field.
The meeting's enhanced status sees both the Red Sea Turf Handicap and Riyadh Dirt Sprint promoted to Group Two level. Sir Alex Ferguson's Spirit Dancer, trained by Richard Fahey, returns to defend his US$2 million Neom Turf Cup crown against a strong field including Persica (Richard Hannon), Irish Group One winner Al Riffa, Trustyourinstinct (Joseph O'Brien), Shin Emperor, Killer Ability (Takashi Saito), German raider Straight (Marian Falk Weissmeier), Haunted Dream (Hamad Al Jehani) and Sovereign Spirit (Jaber Ramadhan).
Last year's victor Remake defends the US$2 million Riyadh Dirt Sprint against Breeders' Cup Sprint winner Straight No Chaser and Gabby's Sister (Kazutomo Mori). Annaf bids for back-to-back wins in the US$2 million 1351 Turf Sprint for trainer Mick Appleby, facing Howard Wolowitz (Jose Francisco D'Angelo), Ten Happy Rose (Daisuke Takayanagi), Byline, Uncle, Malyan and Task Force.
Irish champion trainer Aidan O'Brien relies on St Leger winner Continuous in the US$2.5 million Red Sea Turf Handicap, facing Derby fourth Deira Mile, Royal Ascot winner Gregory, alongside Byzantine Dream, Presage Nocturne and Trafalgar Square.
The Gr.3 Saudi Derby sees unbeaten Japanese filly Myriad Love (Koichi Shintani) headline against Mistress, Happy Man, Shin Forever, Guistino, Golden Vekoma and Cyclone State.
In the Arabian races, Tilal Al Khalediah defends his Obaiya Arabian Classic crown, while stablemate Asfan Al Khalediah contests the Al Mneefah Cup alongside Mutbahy Athbah, Are'ej, Sunny Du Loup and RB Kingmaker.
HRH Prince Bandar Bin Khaled Alfaisal, Chairman of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia said: "We are delighted with the depth and quality of this year's Saudi Cup field and are hugely looking forward to a brilliant two days of racing at King Abdulaziz Racecourse as we welcome the best horses around and their connections to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
"With the Red Sea Turf Handicap and Riyadh Dirt Sprint both being promoted to international Group Two status this year we continue to develop and improve the Saudi Cup meeting with the intention of hosting the highest standard of horse and showcasing the best of horse racing to the world.
"I wish the best of luck to all horse connections as they put the final touches to their Saudi Cup campaigns and we wait with great anticipation for the weekend of the 21 and 22 of February."
View the list of Saudi Cup 2025 Likely Fields here:
https://issuu.com/equestrian-jcsa/docs/2025_saudi_cup_-_likely_fields?fr=sMzQzYTc5Mzk3ODI