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| Rowan Anderson |
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With this year’s edition of the Group One Saudi Cup fast approaching in just over two weeks’ time we take a look back at the personalities and moments in the feature race in years past that send tingles through our bodies.
Race commentator John Hunt has relived his experience of calling the 2022 Group One Saudi Cup seeing the Mitab Almulawah trained Emblem Road victorious.
It was a moment that shook the racing world with the son of Quality Road and Venturini becoming the first Saudi-trained winner of the world’s most valuable race.
The call from Hunt will go down in history.
“Emblem Road to the front…a huge shock, but they love it here in Saudi Arabia!”
Remembering the race and the call Hunt points out key moments of the run and how quickly things changed once from when the gates flew open to the victory and with it Saudi Cup glory.
“Emblem Road was slowly away [from the starting stalls] you just forget that – he was last early on,” Hunt said.
He remembers the threat from the American contingency who has travelled to pose a competitive threat ie Group One in Riyadh.
“Look at the massed ranks of the Americans all in behind, including Midnight Bourbon, who I thought was going to slug it out and really be a big threat.
“And there on the outside the two Saudi horses, Making Miracles, who I’d known from his time in Great Britain – winning the Chester Cup in the mud – and Emblem Road on the outside.”
Setting up a finish that seemed to become a battle between the American duo Midnight Bourbon and Country Grammer, there was to be a surprise fairy-tale ending for the crowds watching in the stands at King Abdulaziz Racecourse and the crowds viewing around the globe.
“Down to the business end it looked as though it was going to be Country Grammer or Midnight Bourbon – two of the highest profile horses in the world – and then this little fella on the outside, Emblem Road, kicks in and the noise at this stage was absolutely extraordinary. He wins by a neck, half-a-length and cue bedlam.”
Hunt summed up the bedlam in celebration for Emblem Road and what it meant for all connections and even more so for Saudi.
“What was amazing was the noise didn’t let up, there was no lull thereafter. The celebrations seemingly kept on for hours and hours. Great, great memories.”
This year’s Saudi Cup meeting will take place at King Abdulaziz Racecourse from 24 - 25 February 2023.