Gran Descans Claims Saudi International Handicap Glory
Frankel Colt Overpowers Native American and Supercooled
A son of Frankel with a growing reputation in Riyadh announced himself emphatically on the biggest stage on Friday evening, as Gran Descans stormed to victory in the US$500,000 Saudi International Handicap at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on the opening night of the 2026 Saudi Cup meeting.
The 4YO colt, trained by Saad Aljenade for the White Stable of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Sons, was always travelling powerfully under Mickael Barzalona and drew clear in the straight to win by three and a quarter lengths in a time of 2:09.756 over 2100 metres on the turf. It was a performance full of authority from a horse whose trajectory since transferring to Saudi Arabia from his former base in the United Kingdom has been steadily upward.
A Commanding Performance on Turf
Bred by Juddmonte Farms in Great Britain out of the Dansili mare Big Break, Gran Descans was formerly trained by Harry Charlton in Newmarket before moving to the care of Aljenade's operation in Riyadh. The switch appears to have unlocked another gear in the lightly raced colt, who carried 55 kilogrammes off a rating of 96 and proved far too strong for his rivals in this international contest reserved for horses trained in IFHA-registered Part II and Part III racing countries.
Barzalona, the Japan Cup-winning rider who was also in Riyadh for the International Jockeys Challenge, settled his mount in a handy position through the early stages before asking for his effort approaching the final two furlongs. The response was immediate and decisive. Gran Descans lengthened impressively, and the margin at the line told its own story.
The Wathnan Racing pair of Native American and Supercooled filled the minor placings but were no match for the winner. Native American, a five-year-old gelding by Sioux Nation trained by Hamad Al Jehani, ran a solid race under rising star Billy Loughnane to claim second, three and a quarter lengths behind the winner. The young British jockey, who made history in 2025 by riding 223 winners in a calendar year, gave the Irish-bred every chance but could never bridge the gap to the runaway leader.
Wathnan Pair Claim Places Behind Winner
A head further back in third was Supercooled, the Qatar Derby winner who was making his Saudi Arabian debut for trainer Alban de Mieulle and jockey Cristian Demuro. The five-year-old son of Lope De Vega had arrived with strong credentials following his commanding four-length victory in the Qatar Derby in December, but the step up against an international cast on an unfamiliar track proved a bridge too far on this occasion. Nonetheless, his effort suggested he remains a horse of considerable talent and one to follow through the remainder of the winter season.
The Saudi International Handicap has established itself as one of the most fascinating contests on the Saudi Cup undercard, consistently attracting runners from across the globe. This year's renewal drew competitors from as far afield as Bahrain, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Norway, Oman, Qatar and Spain, underscoring the growing international appeal of racing in the Kingdom.
For Aljenade, the victory provided a timely boost ahead of Saturday's showpiece card, where his stable also saddles Star Of Wonder and Haqeet in the US$20 million Saudi Cup itself.
1st. Gran Descans (T: Saad Aljenade / J: Mickael Barzalona)
2nd. Native American (T: Hamad Al Jehani / J: Billy Loughnane)
3rd. Supercooled (T: Alban de Mieulle / J: Cristian Demuro)