The second edition of the Saudi Cup was billed as a battle between Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup winner Knicks Go and G1 Malibu winner Charlatan, but John Gosden-trained Mishriff, an Irish-bred 4-year-old colt by Make Believe who won last year's G1 French Derby, stole the show on Saturday, running down the Bob Baffert-trained, Mike Smith-ridden Charlatan in deep stretch to win by about one length under 21-year-old David Egan.
Saudi-based Great Scott finished third in the one-turn, 1 1/8-mile dirt race, with Knicks Go fourth after pushing Charlatan throughout and taking a brief lead into the far turn. The Brad Cox-trained Knicks Go was followed by Miguel Angel Silva-trained Sleepy Eyes Todd.
Mishriff paid $41.60 on a $2 wager in American pools for the Saudi Cup.
Mishriff, whose only previous race on dirt came when second in the 2020 Saudi Derby, was winning for the fifth time in nine career starts. He is owned by Prince AA Faisal. Mishriff was beaten 2 1/4 lengths by Japanese-trained Full Flat in the 2020 Saudi Derby, coming into that race off a 10-length maiden score in his third career start as a 2-year-old the previous November at Nottingham in England.
Coming out of the Saudi Derby, Mishriff won a Newmarket stakes in June, then proved 1 3/4 lengths the best in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) at Chantilly July 5. After a G2 stakes victory at Deauville, he finished a disappointing eighth in the G1 Champion Stakes at Ascot on Oct. 17. That was last race going into the Saudi Cup.
Charlatan darted to the front from the nine post in the 14-horse field, getting the jump on Knicks Go and Joel Rosario, who broke from the five post. Mishriff settled in just behind the top pair in the run down the backstretch, with Bill Mott-trained Tacitus up close and toward the inside.
Into the turn, Knicks Go poked his head in front, but Charlatan was not finished, re-gaining the lead as the field wound their way around the turn. At the top of the stretch, Knicks Go began to retreat, but Mishriff swung to Charlatan's outside and took dead aim on the leader. Despite running down the stretch on his left lead, Mishriff wore down Charlatan, taking a narrow advantage with 100 meters to run and gradually edged away.
The Saudi Cup was run under unusually cool, damp conditions at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday.
This was the second running of what is billed as the world's richest race, offering a $20-million purse, with $10 million going to the winner. The first-place prize money from the inaugural running, won by Maximum Security, has not been paid due to the criminal charges against the horse's trainer, Jason Servis, in the United States that were filed just over a week after his victory in Saudi Arabia. Prince Bandar, head of the Saudi Cup, said in a television interview with commentator Nick Luck he hopes the purse situation will be settled in about six weeks.
The $20-million Saudi Cup had been billed as a showdown between the brilliant American Grade I winners Charlatan (Speightstown) and Knicks Go (Paynter), but when the dust settled on the world's richest horse race it was the John Gosden-trained, Prince Faisal homebred Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) who stole the show to a raucous reception in his owner/breeders homeland.
Breaking smartly from gate 12 under 21-year-old jockey David Egan, the G1 Prix du Jockey Club winner Mishriff-who also ventured to Riyadh to finish second in the Saudi Derby on this card last year-was encouraged to keep in contact with the pace as Charlatan and Knicks Go locked horns. It was the GI Malibu S. winner Charlatan under Mike Smith who came out best in the early skirmishes, but the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile and GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational victor Knicks Go under Joel Rosario refused to let his rival have things his own way, keeping close tabs on Charlatan's inside while Mishriff and Extra Elusive (GB) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) waited in the second flight of runners on the outside with Tacitus (Tapit) on the rail. Knicks Go cut the corner and put his head in front rounding the turn, but that lead was short lived with Charlatan re-rallying at the quarter pole. It was at that stage that Knicks Go cried enough, but Charlatan's uncontested advantage was short lived as Mishriff had broken away from the pack and was rapidly gaining ground. Charlatan was game enough to hold off Mishriff until the 100 metre mark, but at last the chestnut gave way to the dark bay, and Mishriff hit the wire a length the best. It was a great result for the Saudis with the locally trained longshot Great Scot (GB) (Requinto {Ire}) getting up for third, with Knicks Go settling for fourth.
“Unbelievable,” said Egan after putting in a ride beyond his years. “I've been dreaming all my life of winning a race like this. Last year Mishriff was always a horse who seemed to jump slow; maybe it was just through immaturity. Last year in the Saudi Derby he jumped slow behind the Japanese horse to finish second–I thought to myself that if he had jumped on terms he nearly would have won last year. But he's matured throughout the year and Mr Gosden had him primed for today. He looks a million dollars–well, 10 million dollars.
“He jumped very well today, as good as the two American horses. I squeezed him on for the first 50 yards and I was actually surprised how well he went, through the back straight I was on Mike Smith's heels and he was really taking me into it. I got pressed on the rail when we started turning and that was the only worrying sign I had, when they started quickening whether I was going to get back rolling again.
“Once he ran second here last year I am sure it was on the Prince and Mr Gosden's minds to come here; he had such a good season in Europe last year and this is in Prince Faisal's back garden, it's where he lives, so it was a no-brainer. He's taken on top-class horses from all round the world and proven how good he is.
“My dad [John Egan] is helping out with the Bahrain horses and riding for Fawzi Nass in the mornings, so it is very special to have him here. If it wasn't for him I wouldn't be the rider or the person I am today. He's done everything he can to help me in my career, pushed me and trained me hard. This one's for him.”
Speaking via Zoom from Newmarket, Gosden said, “Full marks to my team. I'm here in Newmarket. His owner/breeder always wanted him to come back for the Saudi Cup. He ran well here last year and through the year except for at Ascot on bottomless ground–he didn't like that ground. Otherwise he has a superb record. The team here did a very good job with him through the winter and then Thady [Gosden, son and assistant trainer] and the team did a great job out there.”
Mishriff made three starts at two, finishing fourth and third in novice races at Yarmouth and Newbury before graduating by 10 lengths at Nottingham when stepped up to 1700 metres and partnered by Egan, Prince Faisal's retained rider, for the first time. Egan was again in the saddle next out when Mishriff finished second in the Saudi Derby, and again when the colt won the Listed Newmarket S. by four lengths. Covid restrictions, however, meant that Egan couldn't travel to France for Mishriff's summer assignments, and he was replaced by Ioritz Mendizabal and Frankie Dettori, respectively, for Mishriff's victories in the Prix du Jockey Club and the G2 Prix Guillaume d'Ornano. Dettori was once again in the saddle when Mishriff checked in eighth of 10 over the soft going when last seen in the G1 Qipco Champion S. on Oct. 17.
Gosden continued, “I think there are very few horses that can switch surfaces like that. I would have to say enormous thanks to the whole of the Saudi Jockey Club for putting on such an amazing day's racing. The turf track is superb–I was blown away by how good it was when it had only been laid down a few months before when I was there last year. And I have always been told by the top American jockeys and by Frankie Dettori that this is the best main dirt sand track in the world, and I think that is very much proven today that a turf horse can actually switch to it. So many of the tracks are too loose with horrible kickback, but this is a very good test for the Thoroughbred.”
Asked whether Mishriff will be stretched out to 2400 metres this summer in Europe, Gosden added, “He will stay. I think in the end he nailed them because he could go the pace and then see it out to the end, and that was a hard-run mile and an eighth. We'll see. Thady will come back with his reports and we will discuss it all with Prince Faisal and take it a step at a time after a flight like that and training through the winter. We'll see how he is when he gets back before we make any grand plans.”
Charlatan's connections reflected on their colt's performance after, for the first time in his career, he failed to cross the finish line first. Jockey Mike Smith said, “He's just so lightly raced this year and the way the racetrack was playing all day, I got a little concerned because speed wasn't holding all day long. He's only ran once [this season] and it was a seven-eighths race. He got really tired. If he'd had two races, I think he'd win.
Trainer Bob Baffert added, “I was very proud of his effort. Going in, we thought he would run his race. Turning for home, we knew they were going pretty fast early. He's a fast horse, but that stretch–I'm glad we don't have any stretches like that in America.”
Pedigree Notes
Prince Faisal, a close relative of Prince Bandar bin Khalid al Faisal, the chairman of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, has done a massive service to the European breeding industry through his Nawara Stud in producing Invincible Spirit (Ire) and Kodiac (GB) from his G1 Prix de Diane winner Rafha (GB) (Kris {GB}), and it is from that mare that Mishriff descends, she being his third dam. Mishriff's second dam Acts Of Grace (Bahri) is one of three stakes winners out of Rafha, and Acts Of Grace is now best known as the dam of Massarra (GB) (Danehill), who was bought by Coolmore for 600,000gns in 2009 and whose five stakes winners include the G1 Gran Criterium winner and stakes producer Nayarra (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}), G2 Superlative S. winner and young Coolmore sire Gustav Klimt (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), and G3 Silver Flash S. scorer Wonderfully (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).
Mishriff's dam is the winning Raven's Pass mare Contradict (GB), who has thus far outdone herself in the breeding shed with her first three foals being stakes horses. Her first was the Listed Prix de Saint-Patrick victor Orbaan (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), and her second the G3 Craven S. and G3 Supreme S. second and G3 Thoroughbred S. third Momkin (Ire) (Bated Breath {GB}), who is now trained locally in Saudi and was sixth in Saturday's stc 1351 Turf Sprint. Mishriff is Contradict's last reported foal.
Another branch of the family includes the G1 Pretty Polly S. winner Chinese White (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}), who is out of a half-sister to Rafha, and the dual Australian Group 1-winning 2-year-old Pride Of Dubai (Aus) (Street Cry {Ire}), who has gotten off to such a good start with his first crops in both hemispheres.
Mishriff is from the first crop of the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains and G1 Prix de la Foret winner Make Believe (GB) (Makfi {GB}), who stands at Ballylinch Stud for €15,000. Mishriff is Make Believe's lone Group 1 winner and one of five stakes winners for the sire.
WATCH: Mishriff upsets the Americans in the Saudi Cup
Saturday, King Abdulaziz, Saudi Arabia SAUDI CUP (Cond.), $20,000,000, King Abdulaziz, 2-20, 4yo/up, 1800m, 1:49.59, ft.
1–MISHRIFF (IRE), 126, c, 4, by Make Believe (GB) 1st Dam: Contradict (GB), by Raven's Pass 2nd Dam: Acts of Grace, by Bahri 3rd Dam: Rafha (GB), by Kris (GB)
O-Prince A A Faisal; B-Nawara Stud Limited; T-John Gosden; J-David Egan; $10,000,000. Lifetime Record: Hwt. 3yo-Eur, Eng & Fr at 9.5-11f, G1SW-Fr, SW-Eng, 9-5-1-1, $11,047,442. *1/2 to Orbaan (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), SW-Fr; and Momkin (Ire) (Bated Breath {GB}), MGSP-Eng, $131,343.
2–Charlatan, 126, c, 4, Speightstown–Authenticity, by Quiet American. ($700,000 Ylg '18 KEESEP). 'TDN Rising Star' O-SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Fred Hertrich III, John D Fielding & Golconda Stables; B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY); T-Bob Baffert; J-Mike Smith; $3,500,000.
3–Great Scot (GB), 126, g, 5, Requinto (Ire)–La Rosiere, by Mr. Greeley. (€2,500 RNA Ylg '17 TATNOV). O-Prince Faisal Bin Khalid Bin Abdulaziz; B-Clyne Mound Thompson; T-Abdullah Mushriff; J-Adel Alfouraidi; $2,000,000.
Margins: 1, 6HF, 1.
Also Ran: Knicks Go, Sleepy Eyes Todd, Military Law (GB), Tacitus, Bangkok (Ire), Chuwa Wizard (Jpn), Derevo (GB), Max Player, Global Giant (GB), Extra Elusive (GB), Simsir (Ire).
Pink Kamehameha (JPN) ensured that both Japan and trainer Hideyuki Mori retained the US $1.5 million Saudi Derby sponsored by Al Rajhi Bank with a three-quarters of a length victory over Cowan (USA). The trainer had struck in last year's inaugural renewal with Full Flat.
Away alertly from post eight in the 12-horse line-up, the Japanese-bred son of Leontes, representing jockey Keita Tosaki and owner Hisako Kimura, stalked the pace set by Soft Whisper (IRE), who had the early advantage under Mike Smith. Tosaki never let the leader get too far in front and put that rival away turning into the straight.
The American invader Cowan rallied late between horses to finish second under Joel Rosario for trainer Steve Asmussen, a length clear of third-place finisher New Treasure (IRE) with Frankie Dettori aboard for British trainer John Gosden.
Quotes:
Keita Tosaki, jockey, Pink Kamehameha, 1st: “It was my first ride on him today but he produced a fantastic run even on his first time race over the dirt surface. As he has no issues with the starting gate, he jumped quickly from the gate today. He responded to me well and had a comfortable trip all the way.”
Hideyuki Mori, trainer, Pink Kamehameha: “Everything went perfect today. He showed a very good response to the jockey at the final turn, which was kind of surprising to me. He ran on dirt for the first time, but today's surface with a bit of rain affected track must suit him a lot.”
Joel Rosario, jockey, Cowan, 2nd: “He missed the break. Right when they opened the gate his head was turned, so he lost the break, but he came running. They went very fast up front and he almost got there. It was a good run from him.”
Frankie Dettori, jockey, New Treasure, 3rd: “He ran okay. He hit a flat spot on the turn but he stayed on well.”
Thady Gosden, assistant trainer, New Treasure: “He ran a huge race there. He got a little bit outpaced early on but he kept on well. The Japanese horse is clearly really good and got loose on the lead on the bit but (New Treasure) stayed on well. He has run really well and everyone is really proud of him.”
Ted Voute, racing manager to New Treasure's owner Prince Faisal bin Khaled: “He's been invited to the UAE Derby so we'll see what everyone thinks about that.”
Rest of jockey quotes
William Buick, Rebels Romance, 4th: “Really good run, he's stepped up on his last run in Meydan and considering it was only the fourth run of his life, you have to be pleased.”
Mike Smith, Soft Whisper, 5th: “I'm kind of lost for words, I thought she'd finish but it didn't happen.”
Mickael Barzalona on Meshakel, 10th: “I was never in the race. Normally, he takes me into the race, but today it wasn't happening.”
Cristian Demuro, Homeryan, 11th: “I was going well, but these races are very different to the races we have in France. They went fast and he was a little outpaced when we came into the final bend.”
Japanese horses claimed a one-two in Saturday's US $1.5 million Riyadh Dirt Sprint sponsored by Saudi Arabian Airlines as Copano Kicking (USA) overhauled the luckless Matera Sky (USA).
Matera Sky had looked the likely winner for much of the way last year before being collared by the home-trained New York Central and was travelling ominously well at the front under Keita Tosaki.
However, Copano Kicking and William Buick, who was towards the rear of the field and still had lengths to find with 200m to go, found the necessary gears late on to deprive the runner-up by a quarter of a length.
The 6-year-old gelding by Sprint At Last, bred in Kentucky by Reiley McDonald, is a multiple Graded winner in Japan and Buick had come in for the ride after he had partnered another winner for owner Sachiaki Kobayashi when on a short-term contract in the country.
Quotes:
Akira Murayama, trainer, Copano Kicking, 1st: “He is a very talented horse but he's not easy to train, he's temperamental, very edgy and overexcited and he didn't do too much work this week before the race.
“I called the owner before the winner's ceremony, he was very happy, he spoke to William and asked him to ride his horses again in Japan when he comes back. He will go to Dubai, hopefully for the Golden Shaheen. I thought it was going to be a tough race and I'm pleased that we beat last year's winner.”
William Buick, jockey, Copano Kicking: “He was slowly away but I was soon on the tails of the leaders coming into the bend and he picked up really well.”
Keita Tosaki, jockey, Matera Sky, 2nd: “I think Matera Sky ran his race.I thought he won and made revenge as last year's runner up. But he toughed it out.”
Wigberto 'Wiggy' Ramos, jockey, Faz Zae, 3rd: “I'm very happy. That's the way he runs. He starts with the horses then he hangs back, then at the 400m he comes again. Today he was closer than before so I gave him a little break at the 600m and then I kicked. It's been a great meeting for me – I had a winner yesterday and today and I was very happy with this horse.”
Rest of jockey quotes:
Mickael Barzalona, Switzerland, 4th: “I had him in a good position. He travelled well. When he came next to (Matera Sky), I thought we would be close. He just got a little bit tired in the end. He ran a good race and the owner should be happy with that. It would've been better if we would've been third.”
Alexis Moreno, Maypole, 5th: “The race was too speedy. I tried to do my best but you know they bring champions over. My horse ran well.”
Ryusei Sakai, Justin, 6th: “He missed the break and did not have his run.”
Cieren Fallon, Oxted, 7th: “It was obviously an unknown on the dirt. He is by Mayson and has a lovely knee action and he ran well on the soft ground at Ascot so we thought we would give it a go.
“Today he really struggled. He came off the bridle after the first two furlongs, which is very unlike him. He is a horse that travels well, very strong. We came here on the unknown and we chanced it and it didn't pay off. But he will have a great season on the turf back home in England. You never know, the Breeders' Cup on the turf at the end of the year could be on the cards but we are definitely not going to take our chances on the dirt any time soon.”
Mohammed Aldaham, Raaed, 8th: “Too fast. Nice horses, all the horses are good. All of them are Group 1 horses.”
Hollie Doyle, Brad The Brief, 9th: “He jumped and travelled really well, and I was surprised how much pace he showed. The only problem was he hit a flat spot three out (600m) and got a bit disunited, and once they've done that it's hard to recover on the dirt. But he tried, that's the main thing.”
Gavin Ryan, Harry's Bar, 10th: “There was quite a lot of kickback. My horse could never get competitive. There was a strong pace and I was never really in the race.”
Luis Morales, Raucous, 13th: “At least I broke well. The race was so fast. They can run.”
