Praetorian Storms To Jockeys Challenge Round 3
Praetorian And Medd'haa Contest 1200 Metres Sprint
A breathtaking display of front-running dominance lit up King Abdulaziz Racecourse on the opening night of the Saudi Cup 2026, as Praetorian (IRE) obliterated his rivals by six lengths in the third leg of the International Jockeys Challenge.
The 4YO colt, carrying a rating of 98, clocked 1:09.719 over 1200 metres on dirt to claim the lion's share of the US$400,000 (SAR1.5 million) purse in what proved the most visually stunning performance of a captivating Friday evening card.
Barzalona Brings Star Quality to Riyadh
Partnered by Mickael Barzalona, the French rider who capped a sensational 2025 campaign with victories in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Champion Stakes and Japan Cup aboard Calandagan, the Irish-bred colt was always travelling with supreme confidence. Barzalona, making his first appearance in the International Jockeys Challenge, settled Praetorian in a prominent position before asking for his effort approaching the final 400 metres. The response was devastating.
The winning margin of six lengths told only half the story. From the moment Barzalona shook the reins, the contest was effectively over, with the remainder of the field left floundering in his wake. It was a performance that underlined both the jockey's world-class ability to read a race on an unfamiliar mount and the raw talent of a colt who may have significantly greater prizes ahead of him.
Medd'haa (USA), the top-rated runner in the field at 100, stayed on for second under Luis Morales, the Panama-born rider who has amassed more than 600 winners during his career in Saudi Arabia. Trained by Bader Rizaiq and carrying the colours of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Sons, the five-year-old gelding ran a creditable race but was never able to lay a glove on the runaway leader.
Abdulwahed Savours Another Big-Race Triumph
Just a head behind the runner-up in third came Hajes (GB), who ran a commendable race for Swedish-born jockey Frida Valle-Skar. The four-year-old gelding, trained by Fahad Saad and owned by Prince Faisal bin Khaled bin Abdulaziz, finished to good effect in the closing stages but the photo finish for the minor placings merely emphasised how far clear the winner had gone. Valle-Skar, who made history in 2025 as the first female jockey to win the German 2000 Guineas, acquitted herself admirably on her Riyadh debut.
For trainer Ahmed Abdulwahed, who earned global recognition when saddling Emblem Road to a sensational 80-1 victory in the 2022 Saudi Cup, this latest success served as a timely reminder of his stable's prowess on the biggest stage. Operating on behalf of owner Abdulelah Abdul Aziz Almousa, Abdulwahed prepared Praetorian to peak on the night that mattered most, and the result vindicated those connections who have long held the colt in the highest regard.
The International Jockeys Challenge, which features seven male and seven female riders competing as individuals across four races during the Saudi Cup weekend, continues to grow in prestige with each passing year.
1st. Praetorian (T: Ahmed Abdulwahed / J: Mickael Barzalona)
2nd. Medd'haa (T: Bader Rizaiq / J: Luis Morales)
3rd. Hajes (T: Fahad Saad / J: Frida Valle-Skar)