Unheralded Saudi Arabia-based runner Emblem Road, a son of Central Kentucky sire Quality Road, snatched the richest Thoroughbred race ever staged, the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) Feb. 26 at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh.
A deafening crescendo climaxed in joy and near disbelief as jockey Wigberto Ramos coaxed Emblem Road down the center of the track for a half-length win from United States-based runners Country Grammer, second, and Midnight Bourbon, third.
For Saudi Arabian racing, the result was extraordinary. Four-year-old Emblem Road, had only raced in Saudi Arabia, where he was taking his record to eight wins from 11 starts. He is trained by Mitab Almulawah and carried the white and blue silks of Prince Saud bin Salman Abdulaziz.
Fast early fractions were set by Secret Ambition and Art Collector. Close-up in the early running were last year's winner Mishriff, caught wide and ultimately finishing last, and Mandaloun, recently elevated to victory in the 2021 Kentucky Derby (G1). But one by one the challengers melted away, including Mandaloun, who was ninth. Japanese champion T O Keynes could not add to the incredible haul of four wins by his compatriots earlier in the evening, finishing eighth in the 14-horse field, nor could Japanese star mare Marche Lorraine, upset winner of the 2021 Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1), who was sixth.
With Panamanian-born rider Ramos aboard, Emblem Road stalked the early pace in midfield before collaring Country Grammer inside the final 50 meters to cue one of the greatest shocks—and celebrations—ever seen in Saudi racing.
Kentucky-bred Emblem Road, who is out of the Bernardini mare Venturini, covered 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.52 and returned $229.
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