Al Haram Storms To Saudi Derby Glory
Local Hero Downs Obliteration In Riyadh Classic
Continuing his remarkable unbeaten record in breathtaking fashion, the Irish-bred colt Al Haram delivered a stunning performance to capture the Gr.3 Saudi Derby at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on day one of the 2026 Saudi Cup meeting, defeating a high-class international field over 1600 metres to claim the US$1.5 million prize.
Sent off as the major local hope for trainer Abdullah Alsidrani and owner Sheikh Abdullah Homoud Almalek Alsabah, the son of Iffraaj had already established himself as a force to be reckoned with following his devastating seven-and-a-quarter-length demolition of the Saudi 2000 Guineas field on January 17.
That performance, in which he recovered from a sluggish start to surge through the field, had advertised serious ability and left many wondering whether it would translate against the cream of the international three-year-old crop. The answer was an emphatic yes.
A Tactical Masterclass From Ferreira
Jockey Ricardo Ferreira, who had partnered the colt to all three of his career victories, once again demonstrated supreme confidence aboard Al Haram, settling the 3YO colt in behind the early pace before producing him with a perfectly timed challenge. The pair hit the front inside the final furlong and drew clear to score by a length and a quarter in a time of 1:38.453, extending his perfect record to four wins from four career starts.
The American raider Obliteration, trained by Steve Asmussen and ridden by Joel Rosario, ran a fine race in defeat to finish second. The son of Violence, who had announced his credentials with a 10-and-a-half-length victory in the Grade Three Sanford at Saratoga last summer and a dominant Renaissance Stakes success at Oaklawn Park on his seasonal reappearance, stayed on strongly but could never quite bridge the gap to the winner. His effort confirmed him as a serious contender for the Kentucky Derby trail going forward.
Kentucky Derby Points And The Road Ahead
Three-quarters of a length further back in third came Japan's Satono Voyage, the previously unbeaten Into Mischief colt trained by Hiroyasu Tanaka and partnered by Keita Tosaki. Having won three straight in Japan including the Cattleya Stakes, the first leg of the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby, Satono Voyage had been widely fancied to continue the nation's outstanding record in this race following Forever Young's victory in 2024. While he was unable to match the winner's finishing kick, his effort was far from discouraging.
The result was a triumph for Saudi Arabian racing, with Al Haram becoming the first locally trained winner of the Saudi Derby since Commissioner King in 2023. The victory earned 30 qualifying points on the Euro/Mideast Road to the Kentucky Derby, although it remains to be seen whether connections will pursue the Churchill Downs dream or continue to develop the colt closer to home.
For Alsidrani, the victory represented a defining moment in his training career, while Ferreira continued his exceptional run of form in Riyadh that had already yielded a four-timer on Saudi 2000 Guineas day last month. The partnership between jockey, trainer and owner Sheikh Abdullah Homoud Almalek Alsabah has produced a colt who could yet prove to be a force on the global stage. With the UAE Derby at Meydan next month offering another opportunity for international glory, the racing world will be watching Al Haram's next move with considerable interest.
1st. Al Haram (T: Abdullah Alsidrani / J: Ricardo Ferreira)
2nd. Obliteration (T: Steve Asmussen / J: Joel Rosario)
3rd. Satono Voyage (T: Hiroyasu Tanaka / J: Keita Tosaki)