Under New Ownership, Defunded to Target Saudi Cup

Dual grade 1 winner Defunded  has been privately acquired and will point to the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) scheduled for Feb. 24 at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh.

Purchased from Michael Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman for an undisclosed sum by Dr. Muhaideb Abdullah Almuhaideb's HDB Racing Stable, a new Saudi Arabian owner, the Kentucky-bred gelded son of Dialed In   traveled from the United States Dec. 17, arriving in Saudi Arabia Dec. 18 and clearing quarantine thereafter.

Kildare Stud Farm brokered the deal for the former Bob Baffert trainee. Management of Defunded's career will henceforth be in the care of Khalid Mishref, while Riyadh-based Abdulaziz Khalid Mishref will take over his training.

Khalid Mishref: "He is an exceptional horse and has the profile, hopefully, to be a great asset to Riyadh racing and to do well in the Saudi Cup."

Winner of the Hollywood Gold Cup Stakes (G1) last May and the 2022 Awesome Again Stakes (G1), Defunded was last seen finishing second in October in his Awesome Again defense attempt. In addition to the Saudi Cup, the $12 million Dubai World Cup (G1) March 30 at Meydan Racecourse is also possible for the earner of $1,666,600.

From 20 starts, he has seven wins, five seconds, and two thirds, with other notable victories in the Californian Stakes (G2) in April and the 2022 Native Diver Stakes (G2).

Since being acquired and before shipping, the 6-year-old chestnut breezed regularly at a quarantine facility in Ocala, Fla., according to the release. No recent workouts have been published by Equibase.

Now registered with the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia with an official rating of 116, Defunded will train up to his run in the Saudi Cup, pending an invite to the world's richest race.