Ron the Greek Sails in First Saudi Start

Multiple grade I winner Ron the Greek, racing in Saudi Arabia under the name Wattani, continued his success with a powerful victory Feb. 15 at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh.

First reported by DubaiRaceNight.com, victory in the one-turn, 1,800-meter event left no question as to the quality of the 7-year-old son of Full Mandate, as he improved from a stalking position in the middle of the track, advanced four wide around the turn, and drew off by 2 1/4 commanding lengths.

Florida-bred Ron the Greek, formerly trained by Hall of Fame horseman Bill Mott for the partnership of Brous Stable, Wachtel Stable, and breeder Jack Hammer, closed out his North American career with a victory in the Jockey Club Gold Cup Invitational (gr. I) Sept. 28. He was slated to run in the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) Nov. 2, but missed that engagement with a quarter crack and was sold to overseas interests. He was fourth in the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) in 2012.

Jockey Camilo Ospina was in the irons for Ron the Greek's first start for his new connections. According to DubaiRaceNight.com, the imposing bay now resides in the royal yard overseen by former Christophe Clement assistant Nicholas Bachalard. He could possibly race once more in Saudi Arabia en route to a March 29 Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) bid.

Out of the Fortunate Prospect mare Flambe', Ron the Greek collected earnings of $2,704,691 from 29 starts in the U.S. with a 9-5-3 record that included his Gold Cup victory, a win in the Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I), and a Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) score.

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