Move to Strip Maximum Security of Saudi Cup Purse Money

The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, nearly four years after the fact, is recommending Maximum Security   be disqualified from the $10 million winner's share from the inaugural Saudi Cup because of the subsequent drug-related conviction of trainer Jason Servis.

The recommendation, if approved by the Stewards Committee of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, would cost Maximum Security's ownership first-place earnings from the 2020 race. 

The JCSA said in a statement issued Jan. 22 that it "has now authorized charges to be brought against Jason Servis, the former trainer of the horse Maximum Security.

"The Charges allege substantial breaches of the Rules and the Guide and relate to the administration of Prohibited Substances to Maximum Security and failures to comply with the entry requirements for the Race.

"The JCSA will contend that the Stewards Committee should sanction Jason Servis and disqualify Maximum Security."

Servis was sentenced in July 2023 in New York to four years in prison for his role in a years-long scheme in which horses in his care were doped with approved and unapproved drugs. Servis was among more than 30 defendants charged in four separate cases brought in March 2020, just weeks after the inaugural Saudi Cup was run.

Saudi officials withheld payment of the purse money pending resolution of that case, in part because of evidence Servis had boasted about drugging virtually all of his horses in published portions of indictments.

Midnight Bisou , who crossed the wire second in the Saudi Cup under Mike Smith, would be in line for the $10 million winner's share of the purse. The Steve Asmussen trainee raced for Bloom Racing Stable, Madaket Stables, and Allen Racing.

Luis Saez had been aboard Maximum Security, who, as an older horse in 2020, raced for breeders Gary and Mary West and the Coolmore-affiliated Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith. Maximum Security stands at stud at Coolmore's Ashford Stud in Kentucky.

Gary West, in a statement issued in December 2022, said he would support a redistribution of the prize money.

"Now that Jason Servis has entered a guilty plea, we want to make it clear that if the Saudi Cup decides to redistribute the purse, we would support that decision," West said. "Hopefully, that action will prevent future conduct of this nature. We believe the decision to take the Saudi Cup purse from Maximum Security and redistribute it is the correct one."

The JCSA said the Stewards Committee deliberations will be conducted in closed session.

Saez also rode Maximum Security in the 2019 Kentucky Derby (G1), when the colt finished first but was disqualified for interference and placed 17th after a 22-minute stewards inquiry. That DQ cost the Wests the winner's purse of $1.86 million.