Lord North to Skip Saudi Arabia for Winter Derby

Dual group 1 winner Lord North  will miss an intended trip to Saudi Arabia in favor of a race closer to home, and worth more than £1 million less, in the Betway Winter Derby (G3) at Lingfield Racecourse on the same day, Feb. 26.

The 6-year-old, who has been absent since winning the Dubai Turf Sponsored by DP World (G1) at Meydan Race Course nearly a year ago, had been invited for the US$1.5 million Neom Turf Cup (G3) in Riyadh where he was expected to appear on the same card as his stablemate and reigning Saudi Cup winner Mishriff .

Now the John and Thady Gosden-trained stalwart will make his reappearance in the 1 1/4-mile feature at the Surrey track, a £110,000 ($148,827) race which has gone the way of Clarehaven Stables for the last three years, most recently with Forest of Dean .

The presence of Lord North, who is 7-4 favorite to land the Winter Derby, will add some glitter to the all-weather contest and it could serve as a launchpad for a return to Dubai.

The Gosdens are more than willing to pass up $1.5 million now with their eyes fixed firmly on having another crack at the $6 million Dubai Turf the stable won last March.

John Gosden said: "Lord North is fine but he has been off for so long we didn't think sending him all the way to Saudi for his first run in nearly a year was the way forward. The plan is to send Harrovian  in his place for the Neom Cup and hopefully Lord North can then head for the Winter Derby."

If Lord North were to make it back to Dubai World Cup night, he could meet the classy filly Saffron Beach , trained by Jane Chapple-Hyam.

Winner of the Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes (G1) at Newmarket last October, the daughter of New Bay  also had some high-class placed efforts in 2021, including when runner-up in the QIPCO One Thousand Guineas (G1).

Saffron Beach looked in good condition cantering on Warren Hill the morning of Feb. 14 and is set for a crucial workout on Wednesday.

The 4-year-old is a 10-1 chance for the Dubai Turf. Her trainer said: "We're hoping Saffron Beach gets invited for the Dubai Turf. Hollie Doyle is coming in on Wednesday to ride her in a piece of work, and we'll take it from there. She's wintered very well and the track and trip at Meydan should play to her strengths."