Tag: king abdulaziz

Dancing Prince Gives Japan, Lemaire a Saudi Four-Bagger

by Alan Carasso

Sent off the betting favourite in international markets on the strength of his form at home, Dancing Prince (Jpn) (Pas de Trois {Jpn}) made all the running beneath a white-hot Christophe Lemaire to give both the country and rider a fourth victory on the Saudi Cup undercard in the G3 Riyadh Sprint.

Soon in front from a favourable draw, the last-out winner of the G3 Capella S. at Nakayama in December, showed the way in advance of longshots Beehive (GB) (Fountain of Youth {Ire}) and Rudy Trigger (Arg) (Cosmic Trigger {Arg}), as Good Effort (Ire) (Shamardal) took the trail from fourth. Nursed along on the turn while easily retaining the call, Dancing Prince kicked further clear in upper stretch, with Good Effort emerging as the lone possible danger, and hosed up to score by daylight. Chain of Love (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}), in a bit tight between the commonly owned Gladiator King (Curlin) and Switzerland (Speightstown) nearing the straight, finished well for third, while defending champion Copano Kicking (Spring At Last) ran on admirably to complete a Japanese 1-2-4 finish.

“This is unbelievable,” said Lemaire, the perennial leading rider in Japan. “I knew this was a very good horse and it's easy when you are riding good horses. I'm so happy for connections. I have been in Japan for two years with the restrictions and no travel, so I was fresh tonight. My horses were just too good tonight. I don't know what to say.”

Pedigree Notes:

Dancing Prince is the lone stakes winner for his sire, a 15-year-old son of the late Swept Overboard (End Sweep) and three-time Group 3 winner and Group 1-placed over turf sprint trips, who stands at Lex Stud on the island of Hokkaido.

Dancing Prince's dam, who won just $7,000 from four trips to the races, has pedigree appeal of her own, as she is a half-sister to Durandal (Jpn) (Sunday Silence), a three-time Japanese champion who posted the most important victory of his career in the 2004 G1 Mile Championship, defeating the Lemaire-ridden two-time champion Dance in the Mood (Jpn) (Sunday Silence).

Little Bessing was barren to Logotype for 2019 and was retired from stud duties thereafter.

 

Saturday, King Abdulaziz (Riyadh), Saudi Arabia
RIYADH CUP PRESENTED BY SAUDIA-G3, $1,500,000, King Abdulaziz, 2-26, 3yo/up, 1200m, 1:10.26, ft.
1–DANCING PRINCE (JPN), 126, h, 6, by Pas de Trois (Jpn)
1st Dam: Little Blessing (Jpn), by Bubble Gum Fellow (Jpn)
2nd Dam: Sawakaya Princess (Jpn), by Northern Taste
3rd Dam: Scotch Princess, by Creme dela Creme
O-Chizu Yoshida; B-Shadai Farm; T-Keisuke Miyata; J-Christophe Lemaire; $900,000. Lifetime Record: GSW-Jpn, 13-9-1-1, $1,976,462. *1/2 to Princess Memory (Jpn) (Swept Overboard), SW & GSP-Jpn, $1,751,240. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Good Effort (Ire), 126, h, 7, Shamardal–Magical Crown, by Distorted Humor. O-Abdulla Al Mansoori; B-Rabbah Bloodstock Limited; T-Ismail Mohammed; J-Jim Crowley; $300,000.
3–Chain of Love (Jpn), 121, m, 5, Heart's Cry (Jpn)–Fair Ellen, by Street Cry (Ire). O-Koji Maeda; B-North Hills Co Ltd; T-Michihiro Ogasa; J-Ryusei Sakai; $150,000.
Margins: 5 3/4, 3 3/4, NK.
Also Ran: Copano Kicking, Sunset Flash (Ire), Switzerland, Gladiator King, Faz Zae (KSA), Mortajeh (KSA), Dolma (KSA), Beehive (GB), Rock Sound (Ire), Rudy Trigger (Arg). Click for the Racing Post chart.  Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.

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Pinehurst Takes Them Gate To Wire In Saudi Derby

The Saudi Derby had been won by horses based in Japan in each of its first two runnings and the island nation swept the first three races on Saturday's Saudi Cup undercard. Given a positive ride by Flavien Prat over a racing surface that seemed kind to front-runners, Pinehurst (Twirling Candy) had his full battling qualities on display and withstood a late charge from Sekifu (Jpn) (Henny Hughes) to register a half-length success in the $1.5-million test, upgraded to Group 3 level for the first time in 2022.

Off to a good start from a wide gate, last year's GI Del Mar Futurity hero found his way to the front after the opening 400 meters, as the locally trained I Am Magic (Ire) (Magician {Ire}) tried to keep pace inside, with Cattleya S. hero Consigliere (Jpn) (Drefong) close in tow. Maintaining a slender advantage on the turn as I Am Magic retreated, Pinehurst was narrowly in front turning for home as Sovereign Prince (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) chimed in three out, kept finding into the final eighth of a mile under a vigourous ride and boxed on gamely as Sekifu pulled back the winning margin to a half-length. Consigliere was rather one-paced in third, while the previously unbeaten Alnaader (KSA) (Teletext) fought on bravely to be a creditable fourth.

“I'm very proud of him and happy for my team,” winning trainer Bob Baffert said from afar. “It's exciting to win after coming up short a couple of times over there. I hate when they show that 100-meter line on the screen because I've lost so much money in that last 100 meters at that track the past two years, but we got it done today.”

Baffert suggested that Pinehurst, who was exiting a runner-up effort in the seven-furlong GII San Vicente S. Jan. 29. would run next in the G2 UAE Derby at Meydan Mar. 26 over a more-demanding 1900-meter journey around two turns.

Pedigree Notes:

One of his sire's seven top-level winners and 14 graded winners, Pinehurst hails from a talented and deep Sabine Stable family.

His dam, acquired by breeder Fred Hertrich III for $95,000 at Keeneland January in 2015, is a daughter of Sabine's dual stakes-winning Win's Fair Lady, whose Grade III-winning daughter First Passage (Giant's Causeway) produced GIII Molly Pitcher S. heroine Berned (Bernardini). The colt's third dam, the Grade III winner Win Crafty Lady, not only bred MGSW & GISP Graeme Hall (Dehere), but also $1.65-million Fasig-Tipton Calder grad and future GISW Harmony Lodge (Hennessy), whose Grade III-winning son Stratford Hill (A.P. Indy) coincidentally stands stud in Saudi Arabia.

Giant Win is the dam of a 2-year-old colt by Cairo Prince, a yearling colt by Liam's Map and is due to Twirling Candy this term.

 

Saturday, King Abdulaziz (Riyadh), Saudi Arabia
SAUDI DERBY CUP PRESENTED BY AL RAJHI-G3, $1,500,000, King Abdulaziz, 2-26, NH/SH3yo, 1600m, 1:38.12, ft.
1–PINEHURST, 121, c, 3, by Twirling Candy
1st Dam: Giant Win, by Giant's Causeway
2nd Dam: Win's Fair Lady, by Dehere
3rd Dam: Win Crafty Lady, by Crafty Prospector
($180,000 Wlg '19 KEENOV; $385,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP). O-SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Robert E Masterson, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Jay A Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital LLC, Donovan, Catherine, Golconda Stable, Siena Farm LLC; B-Fred W Hertrich III & John D Fielding (KY); T-Bob Baffert; J-Flavien Prat; $900,000. Lifetime Record: GISW-US, 5-3-1-0, $1,212,000. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Sekifu (Jpn), 121, c, 3, Henny Hughes–Siyabona, by Kingmambo. 1ST BLACK-TYPE, 1ST GROUP BLACK-TYPE. O-Akira Nakatsuji; B-Bamboo Stud; T-Koshiro Take; J-Cristian Demuro; $300,000.
3–Consigliere (Jpn), 121, c, 3, Drefong–Tasha's Star, by Harlan's Holiday. 1ST BLACK-TYPE, 1ST GROUP BLACK-TYPE. O-Kazumi Yoshida; B-Northern Farm; T-Yukio Inagaki; J-Christophe Lemaire; $150,000.
Margins: HF, 3/4, 1.
Also Ran: Alnaader (KSA), Sovereign Prince (GB), Kiefer (Brz), The Wizard of Eye (Ire), Island Falcon (Ire), I Am Magic (Ire), Perfect Love (Arg), Almuthanna, Jacinda (GB), Noble Truth (Fr), Oscula (Ire). Click for the Racing Post chart.  Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.

The post Pinehurst Takes Them Gate To Wire In Saudi Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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It’s Australia Day in Saudi Arabia

One of the greatest riders in the history of the Australian turf, Glen Boss, officially brought the curtain down on his illustrious career with a final victory aboard Raeed (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) in the second of four legs of Friday's stc International Jockey Challenge at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh. But the veteran reinsman was outdone by his South Australia-based compatriot Caitlin Jones, with the pair finishing first and third. For her efforts, Jones earned first-place prizemoney of US$100,000.

Jones, who calls Morphettville in Adelaide home, has been riding in Dubai this winter, most notably as the partner of the Will Clarken-trained He's A Balter (Aus) (Spirit of Boom {Aus}), a latest fourth in the G2 Blue Point Sprint. Jones was making her first visit to Saudi Arabia to participate in Friday's event, which pitted seven male riders against their female counterparts. In addition to a victory in the third leg of the challenge (see below), she was runner-up in the opening leg and finished on 25 points, three clear of Joel Rosario, who capped a double on the afternoon with success in the final leg.

 

Caitlin Jones wins leg three aboard #5 Koheylan Alkheil

 

“To win a series like this, doing it on the world stage, there is nothing more rewarding,” said Jones. “My filly in the last race ran well enough to get points, but we got a winner earlier in the night and had a second straight off the bat, so it has been a really awesome experience for me.

She continued: “It is sensational for Australia that myself and 'Bossy' have won races here tonight. I had some really nice horses to help and I have to thank those connections, and the racecourse has been presented perfectly. My opportunity came from being over in Dubai and I was actually invited as a reserve– there was another girl in front of me but she couldn't make it. I found out last Friday I'd got an email to say that I was coming.

“I have a lot of people to thank, especially trainer Will Clarken who brought me to Dubai to ride his horses, and without that I would not be here tonight. To be rewarded with this is overwhelming.”

Rosario, who rides Midnight Bourbon (Tiznow) in Saturday's G1 Saudi Cup, was thrilled with his result.

“It means a lot to finish second in this Jockey Challenge,” the Dominican said. “It already meant a lot to be part of it and I want to thank everyone for having me. It is special for me to be here in Saudi. I'm very blessed. It was very nice to win a race in the Challenge, so that was very good. It's unique to be here, to ride against the best in the world.”

Boss originally announced his retirement from the saddle in November 2021 following a 37-year career that included three wins in the G1 Melbourne Cup and an additional four in the G1 Cox Plate.

“I don't feel sad that it is over,” Boss said, reflecting on his retirement. “I was happy to come and do this and if I'd won, it would have been fantastic but it wasn't about winning really. I got a few tingles today, so that was good.”

In three years of the stc International Jockey Challenge, it has twice been won by female jockeys, with Sybille Vogt of Switzerland landing the inaugural series and Ireland's Shane Foley taking the title last year. Foley won the first leg of the 2022 Challenge, commenting: “I was lucky here last year, and obviously we picked up where we left off.”

 

 

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Hollie Doyle Picks Up Saudi Cup Mount On Extra Elusive

Rising star of the saddle Hollie Doyle will compete in the stc International Jockeys Challenge (IJC) on Friday, Feb. 19, before reuniting with Roger Charlton's Extra Elusive a day later in The Saudi Cup at King Abdulaziz Racecourse.

Doyle, who will line up alongside 13 other leading jockeys in the IJC, is hoping her recent overseas experiences will stand her in good stead:

“I'm really excited to be riding in Saudi. I've had a few international trips recently, including Hong Kong, America and Bahrain, and it's great that I'm getting to go to these big meetings around the world.

“Competing in the jockey challenge events is really cool as you get to ride alongside some of the world's top athletes. I've only been to some of these places for a short period of time but I've learnt a lot. That's what will hopefully make me a better jockey and I'll keep taking these opportunities with both hands.”

The 24-year-old rider enjoyed a remarkable 2020, riding her first Royal Ascot winner in June, first Group winner in July and first Group 1 success in October – a month that saw her shatter her own British record for a female jockey of 117 winners in a calendar year. Doyle also became the first British female jockey to ride a five-timer in England, a winner on Champions Day at Ascot and a winner in Hong Kong.

“Last year was unbelievable, and when you get a taste of success it makes you want it even more. I've now got even more drive and ambition to succeed in 2021.”

Roger Charlton's Extra Elusive formed part of Doyle's Windsor five-timer, and the two are set to join forces again for a crack at The Saudi Cup, the world's most valuable race at $20m.

“It looks as though Extra Elusive has got into The Saudi Cup, so I'd be really excited about riding him in that on the Saturday. The prize money goes all the way down to tenth so it would be great if he took his chance there and could get amongst it.

“I'd like to think he'll handle the dirt as he goes well on slow ground here in England. I'm not sure how similar it would ride to a slow turf track, but I'd prefer to ride him on the dirt than I would on the turf as you'd imagine it will be slower. The Saudi Cup is only nine furlongs, and we know he stays further than that.

“I could have Albadri on the Saturday too, as I know Jane Chapple-Hyam is hoping to go for the Al Rajhi Bank Saudi Derby after his win at Southwell recently. He's a lightly-raced horse that's going the right way at the moment, but he'll need to take another big step forward to get competitive.”

Extra Elusive's trainer, Charlton, said: “There's been a bit of toing and froing but he's going to run in The Saudi Cup.

“We got an invite to The Saudi Cup that we weren't really expecting and, having discussed it with the owner, he's very keen to run in it. The prize money is so much more than the Middle Distance Turf [Neom Turf Cup] – if you finish tenth in The Saudi Cup, it's the same prize money for finishing second in the turf race.

“Over 1800m they'll go very, very quick and the kickback will be something he hasn't experienced before. We're hoping we can get amongst the money.

“In the past he has inclined to be up at the front making the running – this obviously won't be the case so a wider draw would probably be beneficial to keep him out of the kickback.”

Extra Elusive won two Group 3s – the Rose Of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock and Windsor's Winter Hill Stakes – last summer, when Doyle was in the saddle. He was last seen when sixth behind Addeybb in the Champion Stakes at Ascot in October.

Charlton added: “He's been pretty consistent and he won his two Group 3s well last year. He was placed in another and the ground wouldn't have suited him in the Champion Stakes but he ran a good, consistent race again.

“My concern is that he hasn't travelled abroad yet and he's a fairly highly-strung individual. It's how he takes a 16-hour journey door-to-door and how he handles the training on the track out there.

“He had a break after the end of last season and the weather hasn't been very helpful to us – we've had snow here twice. He didn't resume exercise until after Christmas and it's been a steady build-up. He does all his training by himself but he seems in good form. It's important that he's in a consistent and steady routine every day.”

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.

11 of the 14 riders have now been confirmed:

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)

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

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