Decision on 2020 Saudi Cup Purse Awaits U.S. Action

The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia confirmed Sept. 29 that it will not finalize payment of the winner's share of the $20 million Saudi Cup until there is resolution of criminal charges in the United States against Jason Servis, former trainer of Maximum Security.

HRH Prince Bandar Bin Khalid Al Faisal, chairman of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, said at a news briefing Tuesday—seven months after the race was run—local rules mandate the $10 million winner's share remain in limbo.

Servis is among 19 defendants facing charges stemming from four separate cases charging conspiracies to manufacture, distribute, and administer adulterated or misbranded performance-enhancing drugs that were administered to racehorses. He has pleaded not guilty.

Maximum Security, who defeated Midnight Bisou and Benbatl in the Feb. 29 Saudi Cup, was transferred to Bob Baffert's care after the indictment.

"It was extremely disappointing to all of us to hear of the investigation in the U.S.," Prince Bandar said. "Having said that, we have full confidence in the U.S. legal system. It will progress at its own pace. We, as everybody else, await to hear the results of that investigation.

"It is only one of two choices, really, ahead of us. Either Maximum Security is seen vindicated and therefore we can pay out the prize money and this becomes history. If not, as per our rules, there will be a disqualification and the prize money will go to the horse that came in second and then all of the prize money after that will be readjusted to account for that," he added.

Purse money other than the winner's share has already been paid, according to the provisional order of finish.

"Now, obviously, being halfway across the world, we have very little insight, or influence really, on what is happening stateside," Prince Bandar said. "I'm hoping this can be closed soon. I'm hearing some news from the U.S. that there is movement but we are waiting to hear from them and then we'll be able to move on from there."

The indictments were announced in March, and a timetable of legal proceedings is unclear.

Prince Bandar added the "positive development" from the case against Servis and other trainers is that the U.S. is seen as "taking a very serious position when it comes to performance enhancing drugs."

"We all know what happens in the U.S. matters," he said. "The U.S. is the single largest horse racing industry and it's important to all of the world. So whichever direction the U.S. goes, it will have a ripple effect all over the world. We view it as a positive development."