Dettori Honored to Ride in Memory of Khalid Abdullah

Frankie Dettori is set for a fitting first ride of 2022 as he takes part in the inaugural running of the Prince Khalid Bin Abdullah Cup in Saudi Arabia on Jan. 8.

The 10-furlong contest is to be run in honor of the great owner/breeder who died last January at the age of 83 and with whom Dettori had a long standing connection through his fruitful partnership with dual Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) winner Enable .

Dettori is set to partner the former Andrew Balding-trained Recovery Run  in the turf contest, which carries a pot of $266,000.

Recovery Run is representing Bahrain-based trainer Allan Smith, who saddles two in the field, and other ex-Europeans in the race include My Frankel, Crossed Baton , and Fabilis, the latter the mount of Silvestre de Sousa.

Dettori said: "Prince Khalid Abdullah did amazing things for the sport of horseracing and it's a pleasure to ride in the race named in his honor. He will never be forgotten and I'll be forever grateful for all the opportunities I was given to ride for him, not least Enable who gave us all such incredible memories."

He added: "I've ridden in Saudi for years and the racing calendar out there is very strong now. Of course, there is the Saudi Cup (G1) meeting next month, but there are more good races with top prize-money throughout the winter that make it an attractive option for the European jockeys. The dirt course is top class and the turf track is beautiful. It's fresh every year, you really can't fault it.

"The Prince Khalid Bin Abdullah Cup on Saturday looks an interesting race, with plenty of familiar names in there. As for my horse, Recovery Run, he won his last start by 21 lengths, so I'd like to think he's got a good chance."

Salem Binmahfooz, director of racing at the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, said: "It is fitting for the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia to honor the memory of Prince Khalid Bin Abdullah at King Abdulaziz racecourse.

"This race is our contribution to continuing the tremendous global legacy left by Prince Khalid and it was considered highly appropriate by both his family and the JCSA that it should be held on our turf track and over the 2,100 meter distance at which some of his most famous horses excelled."

De Sousa has not only bagged himself a mount in Saturday's big race but is set to ride in Saudi throughout the winter, having reestablished an association with the country's leading owner, Prince Faisal.

De Sousa said: "I'm flying out to Saudi on Thursday where I will mainly be riding for Prince Faisal Bin Khaled Bin Abdulaziz and his family over the next few months. It's a real honor to have been asked and I'm looking forward to spending time out there."