Although I decided to spend my February in the freezing cold back at home (so I could vist various yards ahead of Cheltenham which is just around the corner now), that doesn’t mean the Saudi Cup and its supporting card isn’t happening – it just means I have to write about it without the benefit of watching them work in the week before, or talking to trainers and jockeys to gauge their opinions on their horses chances.
For those unfamiliar, Saudi Arbia are determined to make a splash in the World of horse racing, and (possibly to the annoyance of Dubai), they now put on the World’s richest race worth a staggering $20 million which has, unsurprisingly, attracted a stellar field, though sadly Dubai World Cup winer Laurel River has been ruled out.
Before we get to the big one (the focus of this article to be fair), we need to mention the supporting cards which start this Friday afternoon with an International Jockeys Challenge, which are all the rage around the World these days. They are interesting and they do attract new people to the sport, but when you don’t know the runners or their form inside out, I see them as more entertainment than punting opportunities (though I am fully aware betting is not allowed in Saudi Arabia so that is hardly their primary concern.
Four races (two on dirt and two on turf) make up the competition this year, and with a mix of well-known and local jockeys, it could be a close run thing. French jockey Maryline Eon is back to defend her crown this year, and she is joined by the likes of Longines top jockey James McDonald, Dubai stalwart Tadhg O’Shea, the brilliant Christophe Soumillon, Australian Rachel King, John Velazquez from the USA, UK household names Hollie Doyle, Oisin Murphy, and 9 others. It is well worth a watch (wherever that may be) but is more of a starter before the main course on Saturday afternoon to me.
A nine race card includes the Group Three Saudi Derby, the Group Two Riyadh Sprint, Howden Neom Turf Cup, and Turf Sprint, but let’s be honest, it’s the finale we are all looking forward to, the Group One Saudi Cup. Raced on dirt that means no UK representatives I am sorry to say (how long before someone builds a dirt gallop here I wonder, purely to target these valuable contests?), but that takes nothing away from the magnitude of the contest. As things stand, the market is dominated by two horses and it does look as if one or the other will take home first prize barring a massive upset.
Japanese dirt star Forever Young heads the betting after winning the Saudi Derby here last year, but good as he is he has been beaten against the top Americans, though his third in the Kentucky Derby, beaten two noses looks sold form despite his third in the Breeders’ Cup Classic last November.
He has looked as good as ever since with a comfortable win in the Tokyo Daishoten in December, but it has to be said dirt is seen as second class in Japan with their better horses restricted to the turf.
What we do know is he handles the track and the surface but if Romantic Warrior takes to it, he seems the likelier winner and at a bigger price. How he did not win Longines Best Racehorse is beyond my tiny brain after 5 Group One wins in 2024 and we know he travels well with successes in the Cox Plate (Australia) in late 2023 and in the Yasuda Kinen (Japan) in June last year, followed by two wins at home in Hong Kong before a course record breaking victory in his prep race at Meydan (Dubai) in the Group One Jebel Hatta last month.
In all honesty, we are betting for or against his ability to take to the dirt, but I have no questions about whether he will handle it having seen a video of his final serious workout this week in Saudi where he looked as happy as Larry. The possible kick-back is my main worry, just ask Aiden O’Brien or Ryan Moore after City Of Troy appeared to hate it in the Breeders’ Cup Classic last year, but if James McDonald can steer a path avoiding a face full of mud, then he is quite clearly the best horse, and my selection accordingly.
Daily Sport Recommended Bet 1pt Win Romantic Warrior 5.40pm Riyadh (Saudi Arabia)