Watson's Triple Strike: Red Stables Mounts Ambitious Saudi Assault

Master Trainer Sends Three Contenders To Saudi Cup Meeting

While most trainers would clear their schedules for a three-horse Saudi Cup campaign, Doug Watson will be watching from Meydan. The master of Red Stables is mounting one of his most ambitious international assaults—sending Colour Up, Djafar, and First Classs to Riyadh.

The three horses fly out on February 10th, with Djafar targeting the Gr.1 Al Mneefah Cup on the 13th, while First Classs and Colour Up aim at the big night on February 14 in the Gr.1 Obaiya Arabian Classic and Gr.2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint respectively.

First Classs's Strategic Detour

The decision to send First Classs to Saudi Arabia carries an interesting complexity because it represents a calculated detour from Watson's long-term goal. The 9YO has won the Gr.1 Dubai Kahayla Classic twice, and Watson has his sights set on a historic third victory.

"The goal in the back of my mind is always trying to win the third Dubai Kahayla Classic with him," Watson admits. "Whether this is the best option to do that, I don't know, but he's won in Saudi Arabia before. He won the Gr.1 Al Mneefah Cup in 2022, though this time he’s going for a different race—the Gr.1 Obaiya Arabian Classic."

Familiarity with Saudi racing influenced the decision. First Classs won the Gr.1 Al Mneefah Cup there in 2022, though this time he’s targeting the Gr.1 Obaiya Arabian Classic on dirt rather than turf. "He's in great shape, and he likes the left-handed track," Watson notes.

First Classs’s 2024-2025 campaign has been a study in resilience. The gelding finished sixth in the Al Maktoum Challenge. "In that first race, the wind was blowing when he was in the front. He ended up facing all the wind, while the other horse was in a great spot just behind him and took over in the straight. He's just coming into himself now." Watson recalls.

He bounced back to win the Gr.1 Abu Dhabi Gold Cup before finishing runner-up to HM Alchahine in the Gr.1 Emirates Championship. First Classs then won the 2025 Gr.1 Dubai Kahayla Classic, beating Tilal Al Khalediah.

The Colour Up Consistency Factor

Of the three, Colour Up carries perhaps the most intriguing storyline. Owned by Sayed Hashish, the horse has become a stable favourite for Watson, not through spectacular victories, but through relentless reliability.

"He's one of the most consistent horses I've ever had," Watson says. "He runs a good race every time. It's a pleasure to train and run him. I wish he could win more often, but he's up at that level with all those good ones."

The Saudi invitation represents more than just another race.

"His owner, Sayed Hashish really wants to go over there, and I have no objection.
"I want to try a new track. We're hoping a different surface might get a couple more lengths out of him.
“We know what we're up against with these guys. But he runs so consistently, no matter where he goes that we definitely want to try. If you're not in it, you can't win it. We have to try," says Watson.

Djafar's Renaissance

Rounding out the trio is 9YO Djafar, who Watson describes as "a nice little horse." Like First Classs, Djafar carries the wisdom of age and recent good form.
"He's coming around, and he's run just as well," Watson says. "I thought he ran a super race the other night and finished well. He's a neat horse. He'll run well—he never puts in a bad effort."

Calculated Ambition

Watson's willingness to send three horses to Saudi Arabia speaks to his broader training philosophy. He's built Red Stables into a powerhouse by trusting his team, knowing his horses, and taking calculated risks.

With three consecutive race nights in Dubai that same week, Watson will remain at Meydan whilst his assistant Dion accompanies the horses to Riyadh. Red Stables is demonstrating the depth that separates good training operations from great ones.

The logistics are formidable—"grooms and flights and all that," Watson notes—but routine for a stable that has made international campaigning look effortless. "There's a lot to plan, and I know it seems like it's a little way away, but it comes up quickly."

The compressed timeline underscores the logistical challenge Watson faces. Coordinating three horses, their grooms, flights, and overseas management whilst simultaneously preparing for three race nights at home would overwhelm many trainers. For Watson, it's another week at the office—albeit a particularly demanding one.

The success of this triple strike will be measured not just in prize money or victories, but in what Watson learns about his horses. Colour Up's response to the Saudi surface could inform future international campaigns. First Classs's performance will either validate the Saudi detour or confirm Watson's instinct that the Gr.1 Dubai Kahayla Classic should remain the primary focus. And Djafar's run will demonstrate whether the 9YO still has more to give at the highest level.

As the Saudi Cup Weekend approaches, Watson remains characteristically understated about the ambitious triple strike. For a trainer who measures success in consistency as much as victories, sending three reliable performers to Saudi Arabia's richest race meeting represents exactly the calculated ambition that has defined his career. Whether they return with silverware or simply with valuable experience, Red Stables will have made its statement on the international stage.