The listed winner blew the break, and Moore steered him over to the fence, where they loitered for the majority of the race as Libyan Glass (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) blitzed up to the head of affairs while pressed by Iron Barows (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) and Echt (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}) perched in third.

The strung-out field began to bunch midway on the last of three turns. Right about the time Iron Barows tackled his countrymate in earnest 500 metres from home, Moore and Tower Of London began to inch around and in between runners with their bid, at times in desperate need of gaps. Luckily, the pair found racing room and, after moving out for clear sailing in the lane, were flying into the final furlong with a full head of steam and dead aim on Enemy closer to the rail, who had capitalised once the Japanese pacesetters threw in the towel.

G2 Yorkshire Cup S. hero Giavellotto (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) was also coming with a strong run and he rushed up to Enemy's throat latch. That duo seemed to have the race at their mercy for a second or two, before Tower Of London, responding gallantly to Moore's efforts, unleashed a determined rally. In the final metres of the race, it was too close to call if Tower Of London would get there, but Moore was able to eke out that extra bit of effort from his mount, who pipped Enemy by a head on the line. Giavellotto was a game third. Of the Japanese, the best finish was by Echt in fifth.

“He's a lightly raced horse,” said Moore afterwards. “He's from a very good family, a brother to Capri and the family have done well for the yard. He'd been working well, they always held him in high regard. We had to be patient and a few horses were dropping back. We eventually got out and he got there at the end. Today was the first time he was able to run on a flat track on quick ground and Aidan has had a lot of faith.”

“In fairness to Aidan, he was quite confident coming out here and Ryan said he was going to take his time,” said MV Magnier. “He's pretty cool, relaxed and nothing fazes him. I haven't spoken to Aidan yet but I'd say the chances are he could go for [G2] Dubai Gold Cup but it'll be up to Aidan and the lads. I've been here for the past few days, it's remarkable the welcome we've got and the people have been brilliant.”

A maiden winner at first asking at two, the full-brother to staying star and G1 St Leger hero Capri (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) won a pair of handicaps at three, and was also second in the G3 Bahrain Trophy S. later in the season. Only fourth in the St Leger at Doncaster in September, he was a distant ninth in the Irish Cesarewitch H. at the end of a the season. Saturday's race was his 4-year-old bow.

Pedigree Notes

Coolmore's much missed Galileo is now the sire of 252 group/graded winners (373 stakes winners) internationally with the victory of Tower Of London. A dozen of Galileo's stakes winners are out of Anabaa mares, the best of them including the previously mentioned Capri, as well as three-time Group 1 winner Lush Lashes (GB), GI Belmont Derby/GI Sword Dancer S. winner Bolshoi Ballet (Ire), and Stone Age (Ire), who has been placed thrice at Group 1/I level.

Mated exclusively with Galileo for her first nine foals, the winning Dialafara foaled seven winners in that bunch, with G3 Loughbrown S. winner Cypress Creek (Ire) and G3 Stanerra S. heroine Passion (Ire) joining Capri and Tower Of London as group winners. Passion was also third in the G1 Irish Oaks and the G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares S. Dialafara's latest produce is a colt by Camelot (GB), who was born in 2022.

Second dam Diamilina (Fr) (Linamix {Fr}) won two group races in France, and was also second in the G1 Prix Vermeille. She is a half-sister to the sire Diamond Green (Fr) (Green Desert), a winner of the G3 Prix La Rochette, and second in the G1 French 2000 Guineas among three Group 1 podiums. G1 Melbourne Cup runner-up Bauer (Ire) (Halling) is also kin to Tower Of London.

Saturday, King Abdulaziz (Riyadh), Saudi Arabia
LONGINES RED SEA TURF H.-G3, $2,500,000, King Abdulaziz, 2-24, NH4yo/up, SH3yo/up, 3000mT, 3:04.43, gd.
1–TOWER OF LONDON (IRE), 131, c, 4, by Galileo (Ire)
                1st Dam: Dialafara (Fr), by Anabaa
                2nd Dam: Diamilina (Fr), by Linamix (Fr)
                3rd Dam: Diamonaka (Fr), by Akarad (Fr)
1ST GROUP WIN. O-D Smith, Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor &
Westerberg; B-Lynch Bages, Ltd. (Ire) & Camas Park Stud;
T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore; $1,500,000. Lifetime Record:
SW-Ire, GSP-Eng, 9-4-1-0, $1,708,396. *Full to Capri (Ire)
(Galileo {Ire}), Hwt. 3yo-Euro at 14f+, Hwt. 3yo-Ire at 11-14f &
14f+, Hwt. Older Horse-Ire at 11-14f, Hwt. 3yo-Eng at 14f+,
G1SW-Ire & Eng, G1SP-Fr, $2,067,692; Cypress Creek (Ire)
(Galileo {Ire}), GSW-Ire & GSP-Eng, $102,373; and Passion (Ire)
(Galileo {Ire}), GSW & G1SP-Ire, G1SP-Eng, $200,604. Werk
   Nick Rating: B+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree
   or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Enemy (GB), 131, g, 7, Muhaarar (GB)–Prudenzia (Ire), by
Dansili (GB). (€420,000 Ylg '18 ARQAUG; €92,000 HRA '21
ARQNOV). O-Tracey Bell & Caroline Lyons; B-Ecurie des
Monceaux & Skymarc Farm, Inc. (GB); T-Ian Williams; J-Richard
Kingscote; $500,000.
3–Giavellotto (Ire), 136, h, 5, Mastercraftsman (Ire)–Gerika (Fr),
by Galileo (Ire). O/B-Societa la Tesa, Ltd. (Ire); T-M. Botti;
J-Oisin Murphy; $250,000.
Margins: HD, 3/4, 4 1/4.
Also Ran: Al Nayyir (GB), Echt (Jpn), First Minister (Ire), Big Call, Pin Your Hopes (Ire), Breakup (Jpn), Libyan Glass (Jpn), Diva Donna (Fr), Iron Barows (Jpn), Roberto Escobarr (Ire), Skazino (Fr). Click for the JCSA chart (R8) and video.

Tower Of London gets there….just!!

Aidan O'Brien's charge wins the Longines Red Sea Turf Handicap under Ryan Moore, although it wasn't plain sailing!

A brilliant run from Enemy, too #TheSaudiCup | #サウジカップ @netkeiba | @JRAVAN_info | @Ballydoyle | @thesaudicup pic.twitter.com/RIqQOsXHIf

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 24, 2024

The post Galileo’s Tower Of London Pips Enemy In The Final Jump Of Red Sea Turf appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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In between horses as Meraas (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) showed the way, the $900,0000 Keeneland September yearling raced in the last third of the field away from the kickback in the center of the track. Piloted by veteran jockey extraordinaire Frankie Dettori, who rode Juddmonte's star mare Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) and is riding his final season, the 5-year-old had about five lengths to make up at the 500-metre mark. The Italian said go a few strides later, and Elite Power unleashed a strong turn of foot to motor right by his rivals before the final furlong and win as he pleased. Gunite also made steady late progress to take second, another two lengths to the good of Remake (Jpn) (Lani). The victory marked the first time a Breeders' Cup winner had landed a Saudi Cup day event, and it was the first time an American-based horse had made the winner's circle in the Dirt Sprint.

Dettori, who had also finished second in the G3 Saudi Derby Presented By Boutique Group aboard Havnameltdown (Uncaptured), and filled the same spot later in the evening with Country Grammer (Tonalist) in the G1 Saudi Cup, said, “My first word has to be aeroplane. I was a little out of reach and asked him to get a little closer and then the turbo just kicked in and I was a passenger then. He's a very laid-back horse and only does what you ask him to do but wow he has some turn of foot.

“The Abdullah family has given so much to the sport; the legacy keeps going. I love these colors and it's nice to give the locals something to cheer about.”

Neil Poznansky, assistant to trainer Bill Mott, said, “He's a big strong animal. He shows nothing but class. He shipped over here like he was here his whole life. He's a good horse, a very good horse. His turn of foot is incredible, he's just incredible to watch, a magnificent animal.

“He's really coming into himself and getting better as he was really slow to mature. Now he's putting it all together. Bill doesn't come here without reason but bringing a horse like Elite Power is a good reason to come. For Frankie and Juddmonte it was like a whole dynasty thing.”

Comparatively lightly raced, Elite Power's victory was his sixth in a row. After an allowance optional claiming win at Saratoga in September, he ran out a 5 3/4-length winner of the GII Vosburgh S. at Belmont Park a month later, and secured his first top-level tally in the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint at Keeneland Nov. 5.

Pedigree Notes:

One of the best dirt sires standing in America, dual Horse of the Year Curlin also thrived in desert conditions, taking the 2008 G1 Dubai World Cup. The Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa stallion has 93 stakes winners (51 graded) to his credit. Of Curlin's 20 Grade I-winning offspring, 11 trace tail male to Seattle Slew, and Elite Power is out of a Vindication mare, just like three-time Grade I winner and GI Preakness S. winner Exaggerator.

Broadway's Alibi won the GII Forward Gal S. and GIII Comely S. and was second in the GI Kentucky Oaks in 2012. Put in foal to Curlin's sire Smart Strike, the dark bay made $2.15 million from Alpha Delta Stables when offered as part of the E. Paul Robsham Stables dispersal during the 2013 Keeneland November Sale. The lone runner out of his dam, Elite Power has a 2-year-old full-brother, and Broadway's Alibi is carrying to City of Light.

GI Florida Derby hero Dialed In (Mineshaft) is a half-brother to the winner's granddam, Astoria S. heroine Broadway Gold (Seeking the Gold). Elite Power's fourth dam is American Champion Juvenile Filly Eliza (Mt. Livermore), who collected both the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies and GI Santa Anita Oaks, and was second in the GI Kentucky Oaks.

Saturday, King Abdulaziz (Riyadh), Saudi Arabia
RIYADH DIRT SPRINT PRESENTED BY SPORTS BOULEVARD-G3, $1,500,000, King Abdulaziz, 2-25, 3yo/up, 1200m, 1:11.01, gd.
1–ELITE POWER, 126, h, 5, by Curlin
1st Dam: Broadway's Alibi (MGSW & GISP-US, $521,500), by Vindication
2nd Dam: Broadway Gold, by Seeking The Gold
3rd Dam: Miss Doolittle, by Storm Cat
($900,000 Ylg '19 KEESEP). O-Juddmonte; B-Alpha Delta Stables (KY); T-William I. Mott; J-Lanfranco Dettori; $900,000. Lifetime Record: Ch. Male Sprinter-US, GISW-US, 9-6-0-1, $2,305,711. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
2–Gunite, 126, c, 4, Gun Runner–Simple Surprise, by Cowboy Cal. O/B-Winchell Thoroughbreds, LLC (KY); T-Steven Asmussen; J-Tyler Gaffalione; $300,000.
3–Remake (Jpn), 126, c, 4, Lani–Sariel (Jpn), by King Kamehameha (Jpn). O-Koji Maeda; B-North Hills Co., Ltd. (Jpn); T-Koichi Shintani; J-Yuichi Fukunaga; $150,000.
Margins: 3 1/4, 2, 1. Odds: 1.00, 3.50, 4.50.
Also Ran: Justin (Jpn), Dancing Prince (Jpn), Ryuno Yukina (Jpn), Freedom Fighter, Pagan (Ire), Meraas (GB). VIDEO.

It's @FrankieDettori! – a retirement win in Riyadh.

Powers home in the @JuddmonteFarms silks aboard ELITE POWER.#TheSaudiCup pic.twitter.com/MG5E1FUbou

— The Saudi Cup (@thesaudicup) February 25, 2023

The post American Sprint Champ Elite Power Gives Dettori And Juddmonte The Victory In Riyadh Dirt Sprint appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Before the race, the main talking horse had been Charlie Johnston's Subjectivist (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}), who, on his best day, loomed a formidable obstacle to his rivals. The 2021 G1 Gold Cup hero duly claimed pacesetting duties, while under the watchful eyes of Damian Lane and Silver Sonic just behind. Trawlerman (Ire) (Golden Horn {GB}) cruised up to stalk from second, and Lane was content to let his grey save ground against the fence.

Subjectivist displayed plenty of verve from the front, but his lengthy injury-induced break from the races began to take its toll and he appeared vulnerable 500 metres from home. Lane sent Silver Sonic, and he responded to take command by the head of the straight, before fending off the closing Enemy, who made his bid out in the centre of the course. It was another three-quarters of a length back to Get Shirty (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) in third. Subjectivist finished 12th. After the race, Enemy's rider Richard Kingscote weighed in lighter than allowed, but, after a stewards' inquiry, the result was allowed to stand.

Lane said, “I have had great support in Japan, especially the Shadai Race Horse Club. He began well, which is always important from barrier one. I was happy to track Subjectivist, who was always going to set a nice tempo and be a good horse to follow. I needed a bit of luck to get through but once it opened up he finished really well.”

Yasutoshi Ikee said, “This might be the second win for Japan, but it is a first win for me. This is a great achievement for me and I am very happy.

“I didn't talk tactics with Damien today. I brought Orfevre to the Arc twice but he ran second on both occasions, so winning a big race abroad with Orfevre's son, it is a great pleasure. My father trained Stay Gold, his sire's sire, so the feeling with this victory is so special.”

Joe Fanning, aboard Subjectivist, said after the race, “I felt he was keen enough, he has been off for a while and in the end he just got tired. As long as he's OK afterwards, I'm sure he'll be back.”

The Shadai Farm-bred 7-year-old entire did not finish May's G1 Tenno Sho (Spring) after losing jockey Yuga Kawada at the start, running with the field for the entire race and then bounding over a fence after the finish, but he bounced back to take the 3600-metre G2 Sports Nippon Sho Stayers S. over firm turf on Dec. 3 in his Riyadh warmup.

Silver Sonic will be trained with an eye to the 3200-metre G1 Tenno Sho back in Japan, or he will continue to ply his trade in the desert in the Mar. 25 G2 Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan Racecourse. He could face Saturday's runner-up Enemy once again in the latter.

“I'm very grateful to the people of the JCSA who received us so well,” Ikee added. “Silver Sonic travelled over really well and kept his condition, he has been the same as he is at home. We have two options, the Tenno Sho and the other is the Dubai Gold Cup.”

“We knew the distance wouldn't be a problem,” Lane added. “I would never advise a trainer, but the Tenno Sho looks a good option. I'm just grateful to be a part of it all, it's a big thrill as a part of my career and I'm really enjoying it.”

Pedigree Notes

At stud, the Shadai Stallion Station-based dual Arc runner-up Orfevre has been represented by 25 stakes winners (20 group) led by four-time Group 1 winner Lucky Lilac (Jpn), one of a quartet of top-flight winners for the 15-year-old. Bred on the same Sunday Silence-Tony Bin (Ire) cross as standout stallion Heart's Cry (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), Silver Sonic is part of a 36-strong legion of group winners for Tony Bin, who sired seven Group 1 scorers.

The well-credentialed Air Thule (Jpn) earned six victories over the course of four seasons racing, taking a stakes in her native land, third in Singapore's G3 KrisFlyer Sprint, as well as running second in the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest in 2002. She struck gold with her first foal, the Fuji Kiseki (Jpn) filly Ultima Thule (Jpn), who won both the G2 Centaur S. and G3 Silk Road S. and is already a stakes producer, and the quality continued with her second, 2008 Japanese 2000 Guineas winner Captain Thule (Jpn) (Agnes Tachyon {Jpn}), who also captured two editions of the G3 Asahi Challenge Cup. In 2009, she delivered Crans Montana (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), a stakes winner and Group 3-placed in Japan, and four years later that filly's full-sister, Contessa Thule (Jpn), who was third in the G1 Japanese 1000 Guineas in 2015. Silver Sonic is her 11th foal of 13, and one of 11 winners.

Air Thule's dam, Ski Paradise (Lyphard) was of the highest class in Europe, and scored in the G1 Prix du Moulin while placing in three other Grade/Group 1 events on both sides of the Atlantic. She is the ancestress of seven black-type horses. Royal Ski's Ski Goggle, successful in the 1983 GI Acorn S. and the third dam of Silver Sonic, left three other stakes winners in three countries who were all given a chance as sires in Ski Captain (Storm Bird), Ski Champ (Icecapade) and Ski Chief (Chief's Crown).

Saturday, King Abdulaziz (Riyadh), Saudi Arabia
LONGINES RED SEA TURF H.-G3, $2,500,000, King Abdulaziz, 2-25, 4yo/up, 3000mT, 3:06.46, fm.
1–SILVER SONIC (JPN), h, 7, by Orfevre (Jpn)
1st Dam: Air Thule (Jpn) (SW-Jpn, G1SP-Fr, GSP-Sing, $1,442,676), by Tony Bin (Ire)
2nd Dam: Ski Paradise, by Lyphard
3rd Dam: Ski Goggle, by Royal Ski
O-Shadai Race Horse Co., Ltd.; B-Shadai Farm (Jpn); T-Yasutoshi Ikee; J-Damian Lane; $1,500,000. Lifetime Record: GSW-Jpn, 21-6-3-6, $3,031,870. *1/2 to Ultima Thule (Jpn) (Fuji Kiseki {Jpn}), MGSW-Jpn, $2,086,687; Captain Thule (Jpn) (Agnes Tachyon {Jpn}), GSW-Jpn, $3,960,829; Crans Montana (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), SW & GSP-Jpn, $2,002,758; and Contessa Thule (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), G1SP-Jpn, $499,346. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
2–Enemy (GB), 128, g, 6, Muhaarar (GB)–Prudenzia (Ire), by Dansili (GB). (€420,000 Ylg '18 ARQAUG; €92,000 HRA '21 ARQNOV). O-Tracey Bell & Caroline Lyons; B-Ecurie des Monceaux & Skymarc Farm, Inc. (GB); T-Ian Williams; J-Richard Kingscote; $500,000.
3–Get Shirty (Ire), 125, g, 7, Teofilo (Ire)–Soccer Mom (Ger), by Monsun (Ger). (€30,000 HRA '21 ARQJUL). O-Akela Thoroughbreds Limited; B-Haras du Mont Dit Mont (Ire); T-David O'Meara; J-Joe Fanning; $250,000.
Margins: 2HF, 3/4, NO. Odds: 2.00, 6.00, 18.00.
Also Ran: Big Call, Nate The Great (GB), Sisfahan (Fr), Echt (Jpn), Trawlerman (Ire), Pin Your Hopes (Ire), My Frankel (GB), Al Qareem (Ire), Subjectivist (GB), Master Gatsby (Fr). VIDEO.

It's happening again for Japan!!!

SILVER SONIC シルヴァーソニックtheir second win on the night, bolting up under @LaneDamian in the G3 Longines Red Sea Turf Handicap.#TheSaudiCup #サウジカップ pic.twitter.com/fNqaPI5M3w

— The Saudi Cup (@thesaudicup) February 25, 2023

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John Gosden suggested after the race that the G1 Dubai World Cup could be next for Mostahdaf, a horse the team at Clarehaven Stables thought good enough to run in Europe's showcase race last autumn.

But this was the day where Mostahdaf came good on his initial promise by carrying the famous Shadwell Estate colours to a seven-length victory over Saeed bin Suroor's Dubai Future (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). Missed The Cut could only manage fourth after racing far too keenly.

Gosden said, “He did it perfectly. He had a nice draw and Jim used it. I think the track is quick and, if you are handy and have Mikael Barzalona [aboard Eagle's Flight (Ire) (Gleaneagles {Ire})] measuring the fractions, that's where you want to be; handy.”

He added, “Stunningly-good performance. We obviously know the family well and Sheikha Hissa has done wonderfully to keep these horses in training and her father would be so proud with what she has done with the stable. It's a Shadwell family and we have the sister and we have the brother who is a nice 3-year-old, so look, he's an improving horse and we're delighted with him.

“If he flies home in great form, obviously we came here with Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) and then he went to Dubai, so he could run on Dubai World Cup night as well.”

Boughey was less sure where Missed The Cut would be off to next. The bitterly-disappointed trainer explained how the short-priced favourite was somewhat a victim of his own downfall after his early antics in the race.

“He probably did a little bit too much down the outside. It was no-one's fault and I think he might have travelled a little bit further than some of them. That's racing, isn't it. It's frustrating but he will be back.”

Boughey added, “He travelled down to post good and then was one who was throwing about. It didn't help him but, essentially, he's probably run a little bit below the form of his last race if you take the winner out of it.

“There's lots of different options for him but I was slightly hoping that we'd see a different horse today. We'll see how he is tomorrow and see where we go from there.”

A winner of the G3 Gordon Richards S. and G3 September S., Mostahdaf was unplaced in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Pedigree Notes

Part of Frankel's 108 stakes winners (76 group), Mostahdaf is bred identically to With The Moonlight (Ire), who won the G2 Balanchine at Meydan on Friday; her full-brother, the late Group 1 winner Dream Castle (GB); 2022 G1 Irish 1000 Guineas heroine Homeless Songs (Ire); and G1 Derby/G1 King George hero Adayar (Ire), who are all out of Dubawi mares.

Listed winner Handassa (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), herself a half-sister to GII San Gabriel S. hero and GI Frank E. Kilroe Mile S. second Desert Stone (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), is also the dam of the G1 Sun Chariot S. and G1 Falmouth S. heroine Nazeef (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), the winning Dark Angel (Ire) 3-year-old Mostabshir (GB), a juvenile full-brother to the winner and a yearling colt by Kingman (GB).

Group 1 winners and sire full-brothers Pastoral Pursuits (GB) and Goodricke (GB), both by Bahamian Bounty (GB), are under the third dam.

Saturday, King Abdulaziz (Riyadh), Saudi Arabia
NEOM TURF CUP SPONSORED BY ALTANFEETHI-G3, $1,500,000, King Abdulaziz, 2-25, 4yo/up, 2100mT, 2:06.24, fm.
1–MOSTAHDAF (IRE), 126, h, 5, by Frankel (GB)
                1st Dam: Handassa (GB) (SW-Ire), by Dubawi
                2nd Dam: Starstone (GB), by Diktat (GB)
                3rd Dam: Star (GB), by Most Welcome (GB)
O/B-Shadwell Estate Company Limited; T-John & Thady Gosden; J-Jim Crowley; $900,000. Lifetime Record: MGSW-Eng, 13-8-2-0, $1,254,238. *1/2 to Nazeef (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), Hwt. Older Mare-Eur & Eng at 7-9.5f, MG1SW-Eng, $409,959. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
2–Dubai Future (GB), 126, g, 7, Dubawi (Ire)–Anjaz, by Street Cry (Ire). O/B-Godolphin; T-Saeed Bin Suroor; J-Daniel Tudhope; $300,000.
3–Flying Visit (Ire), 126, g, 5, Pride Of Dubai (Aus)–Fionnuar (Ire), by Teofilo (Ire). (28,000gns HRA '21 TATAUT). O-Alfathwa Stable; B-J S Bolger; T-Sami Al Harabi; J-Ricardo Ferreira; $150,000.
Margins: 7, 5 3/4, 1 3/4.Odds: 9-5, 8-1, 55-1.
Also Ran: Missed the Cut, Eagle's Flight (Ire), Castle (Ire), White Moonlight, Star of Wins, Sir Busker (Ire), Byline (GB). Scratched: Peter The Great (GB). VIDEO

MOSTAHDAF bolts up for the Brits in the G3 Neom Turf Cup presented by Altanfeethi.

@thadygosden @JimCrowley1978 @hissa_hamdan @ShadwellStud #TheSaudiCup pic.twitter.com/BC6IiY0nWJ

— The Saudi Cup (@thesaudicup) February 25, 2023

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Bred in Kentucky by Charles Fipke, Avalina won three of her first four career starts for owner John O'Hara and trainer Danny Gargan, capped by a victory in the 2019 Parx Sprint Oaks. A $15,000 Keeneland September yearling, Avalina was acquired for $75,000 at the 2020 Fasig-Tipton July Horses of All Ages Sale and made 10 starts in 2021 for HRH Prince Faisal Bin Khaled Bin A/Aziz, amassing an admirable record of 3-2-3, including a victory over 1800 meters Dec. 10.

Thank you https://t.co/QMLJVXx6VS

— Jose Ortiz (@jose93_ortiz) January 14, 2022

Drawn gate 10, Avalina was beaten for speed and settled in about fourth position while kept out in the middle of the track by Ortiz. Asked to improve three furlongs from home, she responded when set down in upper stretch and hit the front with a bit less than a furlong to travel before edging away to score by 3 3/4 lengths over local Group 1 winner La Casa Tarifa (Ire) (Casamento {Ire}) (see below, SC 10). Avalina holds entries for the $20-million G1 Saudi Cup (1800m) as well as the $1.5-million Riyadh Dirt Sprint (1200m) and $500,000 Saudi International H. (2100mT) on this year's Saudi Cup program Feb. 22.

Ortiz was also fourth to the Silvestre de Sousa-ridden Third Kingdom (GB) (Make Believe {GB}) in the Prince Naif Ben A/Aziz Cup while his two other mounts finished farther down the field. Ortiz has rides in three of Saturday's four local Group 1 races, including Prince Faisal's Persian Moon (Ire) (Makfi {GB}) in the $213,333 King Saud Cup (2000m).

REPLAY: Jose Ortiz lands the Prince Sultan Ben A/Aziz Cup aboard Avalina

The post Ortiz Scoops Big Prize In Saudi appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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“We might be a 100-1 shot, but we got an invitation so may as well give it a go,” said the Suffolk trainer. “He went on the nearest I could find to dirt in England–which is Southwell. Hollie [Doyle] was pleased with him, and he won.

“He's going out in really good order, and I'm flying out there tonight [Monday]. It's very competitive, but every now and again you've got to dip your toe in the deep end. It's not a massive field–and because we got the invite, the owners were keen, so why not?”

She added, “Hopefully we can finish in the prize money–which would help–and he's come out of his race at Southwell very well, and he went into that needing it. He'll have been about 85% fit, so he's bang on song now. We've always liked him. I've always felt he would make up into a 100-rated horse, so he needs to prove that on Saturday.

“They'll go quick, with the Americans and Japanese. When he won on debut he came from off the pace, but he made the running last time–so he's versatile. Hollie rode him in the Horris Hill and got a really good feel off him that day, which is important to me because she believes in the horse. Hollie's on again.”

The post Albadri Primed for Saudi Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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It won't be a first appearance at the King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh for the jockey from Puerto Rico:

“I was last in Saudi six or seven years ago and I was very impressed with the track. The dirt was nice and smooth, they did a really good job with it.

“I'm excited to take part in the IJC, it's a fun concept. I did one in Japan once and I also went to a challenge in Turkey. We used to do it in Texas a long time ago as well.”

Velazquez landed a first Breeders' Cup Classic in November with Authentic, the horse who had given him a third Kentucky Derby just two months earlier, but the pilot is no stranger to international success, winning the 2005 Dubai World Cup on Roses In May and the 2017 King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot with Lady Aurelia.

“I love these big international races where lots of people come together from all over the world. It's great to meet everyone and I'm just glad to be a part of it,” said Velazquez.

“The Saudi Cup is a great concept and they pulled it off well last year. It's really good for the sport to have the eyes of the world watching this meeting.”

Bill Mott's Tacitus, who finished fifth in the inaugural edition of The Saudi Cup 12 months ago, will be his mount in the world's most valuable race on Saturday 20 February:

“Tacitus ran a good race last year and hopefully we can get a better position in the first part of the race. He is perhaps better over slightly further but he does have the speed to be fairly close to the front runners.

“There are some very good horses to beat like Knicks Go and Charlatan, they look really tough and like to go forward. Hopefully they go too fast and we can sit not too far back before coming down the lane,” he said.

In a career that has spanned over 30 years, it is clear what adding a Saudi Cup to his glittering resume would mean to Velazquez, particularly in the iconic Juddmonte colors:

“It would be incredible. To get your hands on a $20m race – we all dream of that – hopefully Tacitus can do it,” he said.

“Prince Khalid Abdullah has been such a great asset for the sport all around the world and we are all going to miss him.”

This year's stc International Jockeys Challenge takes place on Friday, Feb. 19 – the day before the $20million Saudi Cup. Jockeys will be made up of seven international women, two local men and five international men. The prize money in each of the four races will be $400,000 and there is a $100,000 prize pot for the Challenge with $30,000 going to the winner.

12 of the 14 riders have now been confirmed with the remaining two local jockeys announced soon:

Sibylle Vogt, 25 (SUI)

Jorge Ricardo, 59 (BRA)

Jessica Marcialis, 30 (ITA)

Maria Lujan Asconiga, 27 (ARG)

Nieves Garcia, 43 (SPA)

Cristian Demuro, 28 (ITA)

Nanako Fujita, 23 (JPN)

Malin Holmberg, 30 (SWE)

Shane Foley, 32 (IRE)

William Buick, 32 (UK)

Hollie Doyle, 24 (UK)

John Velazquez, 49 (PR)

For more information on The Saudi Cup including Entries, Past Performances and Where to Watch: www.thesaudicup.com.sa

The post John Velazquez Confirmed For Saudi Arabia’s International Jockeys Challenge appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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The French raider, ridden by experienced jockey Olivier Peslier, was a cozy 2 1/2-length winner of the 3000m (about 1 7/8 miles) contest 12 months ago when beating Mekong and Prince Of Arran. Subsequent Melbourne Cup hero Twilight Payment was back in seventh.

It proved to be the start of a profitable year for the 7-year-old son of Frankel as he went on to win two Group races over 3000m at Deauville later in the season.

Call The Wind's trainer Freddy Head is looking forward to a return to the King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh for the two-day Saudi Cup meeting.

He said: “The horse is in very good form. He's wintered well and everything is fine with him at the moment.

“He won nicely last year and I was very pleased with him. He's got a bit more weight this time and I've not seen which other horses he is likely to be up against but I think we have a good chance of winning.

“He liked the track so everything is in order. The reception we got in Saudi Arabia was very good and we had everything we could have wanted. I'm really looking forward to him running there again.”

The Long Distance Handicap will be run on Saturday, Feb. 20, taking place on the same day as the $20million Saudi Cup, the world's most valuable race.

The meeting will kick off on Friday, Feb. 19 with an eight-race card featuring the International Jockeys' Challenge where some of the world's best male and female riders will go head-to-head.

The post Freddy Head-Trained Call The Wind To Defend Title In Saudi Long Distance Turf Handicap appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Drawn in the auxiliary gate in 15, Derevo traveled well off the inside and better than midfield on the long backstretch run. Into a clear fifth for the run around the bend, he was switched out in the straight and required every bit of the final 400 metres to be along in time.

Derevo won his maiden at second asking at Chelmsford in 2019 and added victories on the turf at Pontefract and a Newcastle handicap over 2400 metres of that all-weather surface later that summer. On behalf of Najd Stud, Voute Sales signed for Derevo at Tattersalls last October. The winner's dam produced a Kodiac (GB) filly for Juddmonte in 2020.

WATCH: Derevo (#1, red cap, far left) gets up on the wire in the King's Cup

Saturday's Results:
CUSTODIAN OF THE TWO HOLY MOSQUES CUP (King's Cup) (NBT), SAR1,000,000 (£194,569/€219,734/US$266,667), King Abdulaziz, 1-30, 4yo/up, 2000m, 2:04.15, ft.
1–DEREVO (GB), 127, g, 5, Dansili (GB)–Pavlosk (SW-Eng), by
Arch. (340,000gns HRA '20 TATAUT). O-Prince Faisal Bin
Khaled Bin Abdulaziz; B-Juddmonte Farms Ltd; T-A M Al
Khatani; J-A Alwafi; SAR500,00. Lifetime Record: 12-4-2-1,
$176,019.
2–Cariblanco (Chi), 127, h, 5, Awesome Patriot–Entera Buena
(Chi), by Hurricane Cat. SAR200,000.
3–Making Miracles (GB), 127, g, 6, Pivotal (GB)–Field of
Miracles (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). (47,000gns Ylg '16 TATOCT;
22,000gns HRA '19 TATAUT). SAR150,000.
Margins: NO, 1HF, 3.

The post Juddmonte-Bred Derevo Takes King’s Cup In Saudi Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Scars Are Cool (Malibu Moon) won three of his 13 starts in the colors of Sagamore Farm and fetched $175,000 from Saudi Arabian interests during the Horses of Racing Age section of the Fasig-Tipton July Sale last summer. The Florida-bred was well-beaten behind the re-opposing Making Miracles (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) in the Crown Prince Cup over 2400 meters Dec. 26, but dropped back in trip and registered a 3/4-length victory in allowance company going a mile Jan. 15 (see below). Scars Are Cool has gate 16 in a field of 18.

The Khalid Mishrif Bin Shanan-owned Gronkowski (Lonhro {Aus}) and Axelrod (Warrior's Reward) also landed double-digit posts in 11 and 14, respectively, as they attempt to earn their way into the Saudi Cup. Runner-up to Justify (Scat Daddy) in the 2018 GI Belmont S., Gronkowski ran Thunder Snow (Ire) (Helmet {Aus}) to a nose in the 2019 G1 Dubai World Cup and finished a distant 10th to Maximum Security (New Year's Day) in last year's Saudi Cup. He is unraced since. Axelrod, winner of the 2018 GIII Indiana Derby and GIII Smarty Jones S., was ninth in the 2019 World Cup and was last seen finishing runner-up in the G3 Burj Nahaar S. at Meydan last March.

Hallaaf (KSA) (Friends Lake) looks the best of the horses bred locally and exits a defeat of the commonly owned Persian Moon (Ire) (Makfi {GB}) in the King Saud Bin Abdulaziz Cup over course and distance Jan. 16.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup has a scheduled post time of 11 a.m. ET. Click here for live streaming.

WATCH: Scars Are Cool wins a Jan. 15 allowance in Riyadh

The post American-Bred Trio Features In Saudi Cup Prep appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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