Saudi Cup Day Attracts 66 Overseas Runners

Prince Bandar bin Khalid Al Faisal, the chairman of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, released a list of Saudi Cup Day runners Feb. 5 that includes 21 group/grade 1 winners across an eight-race card Feb. 29.

With a total prize purse of $29.2 million (all currency in US$), including a record $20 million for the inaugural running of the 1,800-meter (about 1 1/8-mile) Saudi Cup, the two-day race weekend Feb. 28-29 represents a significant evolution in Saudi Arabia's racing history.

In total, King Abdulaziz Racetrack will host 66 overseas runners from eight countries who between them have won 32 group/grade 1 races.

The highlight of the card—the first running of the world's richest race—will feature Prince Faisal bin Khalid bin Abdulaziz-owned Mucho Gusto, trained to victory by Bob Baffert in last month's Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes Presented by Runhappy (G1), taking on grade 1-winning stablemate McKinzie as well as the heavy-hitting Maximum Security, trained by Jason Servis.

Mares Midnight Bisou, trained by Steve Asmussen, and the Irish-bred Magic Wand, who is prepared by Aidan O'Brien, will face off against the males.

Dubai-based and Saeed bin Suroor-trained Benbatl has landed group scores in Germany, Great Britain, Australia, and Dubai and bids to add a fifth country to his winning CV, while a pair of grade 1 stars, Chrysoberyl and Gold Dream, trained by Hidetaka Otonashi and Osamu Hirata, respectively, represent Japan.

Speaking at a news conference at the Equestrian Club of Riyadh's city clubhouse, Bandar expressed satisfaction at the strength and depth across the Saudi Cup card.

Two of the Saudi Cup's partners were announced. Longines, the official watch and timekeeper of the Saudi Cup, will sponsor the $2.5 million Longines Turf Handicap, and Saudi Arabian Airlines, known as SAUDIA, the official carrier of the Saudi Cup, will sponsor the $1.5 million SAUDIA Sprint.

"The establishment of the Saudi Cup is a great moment in the history of horse racing in Saudi Arabia, and I am gratified that the global racing community has embraced our new concept with such enthusiasm," Bandar said. "I look forward to welcoming some of the world's most highly decorated horsemen and women to Riyadh and am thrilled that so many champion international horses will be taking part on Saturday, Feb. 29."

Top-class horses will be on show throughout the meeting. Deirdre, a top-level scorer in both England and her native Japan for trainer Mitsuru Hashida, is the biggest name in the $1 million Neom Turf Cup over 2,100 meters (10 1/2 furlongs).

Two of America's top speedsters—four-time grade 1 winner Imperial Hint, trained by Luis Carvajal Jr., and Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) runner-up Shancelot, trained by Jorge Navarro—go head-to-head in the $1.5 million SAUDIA Sprint over 1,200 meters (six furlongs) on dirt.

The Charlie Appleby-trained 2018 Lexus Melbourne Cup (G1) winner, Cross Counter, will come up against the French group 1 scorer Call The Wind, prepared by Freddy Head, in the 3,000-meter (about 1 7/8-mile) Longines Turf Handicap.

Meanwhile, Aatebat Al Khalediah, Masshhur Al Khalediah, Hajres, and Ziyadd—top representatives of their breed from Dubai, Britain, France, and Abu Dhabi, respectively—will clash in the day's big event for Arabians and richest race of its kind, the $1.9 million Obaiya Arabian Classic over 2,000 meters on dirt.

The fields for each race will be completed with the addition of two local runners, who will be selected Feb. 8.

"Since the launch of the Saudi Cup less than seven months ago, the level of support and assistance we have received from our friends in the world of horse racing has been quite overwhelming, and I could not be happier with the quality of the horses set to contest our big races in just over three weeks' time," said Tom Ryan, the director of strategy and international racing for the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia. "Quality is spread throughout the card, and we are looking forward to watching these superstars of global racing take to the track on Feb. 29."

A full list of the overseas-trained horses running in this historic meeting is available online.