Tag: Saudi Arabia

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.

The post Dancing Prince Gives Japan, Lemaire a Saudi Four-Bagger appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

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.

Source of original post

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.”

 

 

The post It’s Australia Day in Saudi Arabia appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Bigger, Stronger Mishriff Ready To Defend His Saudi Cup Title

Mishriff is reported to be bigger and stronger by joint-trainer Thady Gosden as the star 5-year-old prepares to defend his $20 million Saudi Cup crown. Gosden oversaw his preparation for the world's most valuable race 12 months ago and he officially joined his father John on the training license soon after the historic defeat of top-class American hope Charlatan.

Mishriff, owned by His Royal Highness Prince A A Faisal, went on to win the Group 1 Juddmonte International at York last summer by an impressive six lengths.

If he wins the G1 Saudi Cup – run at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh on Saturday, Feb. 26 – he will become the highest-earning horse of all time.

Gosden said: “He's a year older, he's done a bit of growing so he's a little bigger. He's got a great athletic physique and he's definitely strengthened a bit from last year.

“He's a little flamboyant on occasions but he's very tough. He's incredibly versatile and he travels very well, he makes it all look quite easy. He's been training well.”

The defending champion is likely to face another strong American challenge in the shape of Mandaloun and Midnight Bourbon, but Gosden believes the track is well suited to the European raiders.

He said: “The one turn makes a big difference, the longer straight is especially an advantage to the European horses.

“The American horses are used to using a lot of speed to get forward and then having a short straight to get home in.

“The surface is also a bit kinder – the kickback is not as bad. It rides a bit softer, a bit fluffier – it's a brilliant track.

“The Saudi Cup has obviously become a huge meeting on the international racing circuit. Everything runs very smoothly – the quarantine facilities are top class, the track is top class and we have no concerns with taking any horse out there.

“It's definitely something that will become a fixture for us if we have the right horses.”

The Gosden father-and-son training partnership could also be represented by Lord North in the Neom Turf Cup presented by Jahez. He could line up for the $1.5 million Group 3 contest on his first run since landing the Dubai Turf at Meydan in March.

Gosden added: “He had a bit of an issue so, being a horse of his caliber, we gave him all the time he needed. He's bouncing around the place now and I think he's pretty determined to get out there.”

Fellow British joint-trainers William Muir and Chris Grassick have opted for the Neom Turf Cup presented by Jahez for their stable star Pyledriver. They had also received an invitation to run in The Saudi Cup.

After watching Pyledriver work around Kempton on Tuesday morning, Muir revealed he thought the 2100m contest would suit the G1 Hong Kong Vase runner-up better.

He said: “We brought Pyledriver to Kempton to let him have a blow over the surface, so he's covering the distance.

“It was just getting him away from home for something different, a change of scenery to perk him up and keep him in good shape.

“Martin (Dwyer) got off him and said he's been riding horses all winter and to get on one like Pyledriver around there it felt like they broke the track record.

“I've got the others in the family and they all get stronger and stronger. He looks a monster now.

“He's strong and where he should be. I think this horse has everything in front of him – he's now at his peak so you'll see him at his best this year.”

The Lambourn-based trainer is expecting last year's Group 1 Coronation Cup hero to have improved for his Hong Kong experience last December and regular rider Dwyer will fly out to partner him again.

Muir added: “It was his first time out of this country. He never worried about anything but everyone said once he's done it once he'll thrive on it.

“It was just a few things we picked up from the boys that do it all the time, the little tips that help.”

Yorkshire-based trainer Mark Johnston and his son Charlie have had runners at The Saudi Cup meeting in each of the last two years. They will send Nayef Road to contest the G3 Longines Red Sea Turf Handicap this time.

The six-year-old warmed up for the $2.5 million race, run over 3000m, by finishing fourth at Kempton on Saturday.

Joint-trainer Charlie Johnston said: “Perhaps things weren't really run to suit – he was boxed-in in a slowly-run race.

“We gave him a break through November and December. It probably showed at Kempton as he was a little bit ring rusty and we'd be hopeful he'd come forward for that.

“I think the trip, fast ground and quite positive, verging on aggressive, riding leads to his best performances, as we saw when he won the Rose Bowl at Newmarket at the back end of last year.

“He's a relentless galloper and there should be no excuses regarding the conditions he's going to face over there.

“Given the money on offer in Saudi this is the priority for him – if you finish anywhere in the first six you can pick up significant prize money and we'll be looking to pick up some of it.”

Johnston already has one eye on a return to The Saudi Cup meeting in 2023 with Subjectivist. He was the impressive winner of the G1 Gold Cup at Royal Ascot last season before injury struck ruling him out until next year.

Johnston added: “It was a very tough decision we had to make – biting the bullet and leaving our best horse on the sidelines for this season, but we felt to give him the best chance of standing training going forward we would rule this season out.

“He'll come back into training in September with The Saudi Cup meeting of 2023 his primary target.”

There is also likely to be a strong challenge from France at the meeting.

Sealiway, winner of the G1 Champion Stakes at Ascot in October, is on course for The Saudi Cup. It will be his first race since joining trainer Francis-Henri Graffard.

He said: “He's very classy and he has a lot of personality. The first morning he came to me he was like 'I am the boss'.

“He's a tough horse and he can adapt very easily – adapt to the pace of the race and the ground. He's a nice horse to be around and it seems like he does everything very easily. My worry is, will he be ready as he does everything so easily?

“He was not over-raced last year and he came to me in very good shape. I'm very, very happy with the way he looks, the way he behaves and the way he works, so I'm keen to go.”

Ebaiyra will also be having her first run for Graffard, who is now combining running his own Chantilly yard with overseeing the private stables of the Aga Khan, if she makes it to The Neom Turf Cup presented by Jahez.

Graffard said: “She looks really well – so far everything is going right. She's due to work on Saturday morning and a decision will be made after that.”

Source of original post

Verified by MonsterInsights