Tag: Saudi Arabia

Eclipse Finalist Jessica Pyfer Joins Cast For Saudi Arabian Jockeys Challenge

Jessica Pyfer, a rising star of the weighing room in America, has been confirmed to ride in the stc International Jockeys Challenge.

The event will be held the day before the $20 million Saudi Cup at King Abdulaziz Racetrack on Feb. 25, and sponsored for a third year by platinum partner, stc, the digital enabler in the telecommunication industry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which continues in its aim of supporting the field of sports in KSA.

Pyfer (23), who only began riding in September 2020, notched an impressive 59 winners from 557 rides in her second full season as a jockey in 2021, amassing prize money of $2.8 million.

Her achievements in such a short time have seen her nominated for an Eclipse Award, which recognizes the achievements of a wide range of horses and participants from across the American Thoroughbred industry.

After being confirmed for the IJC, Pyfer said: “I am super excited! It feels like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I've only been race-riding for about a year-and-a-half and have never competed outside of the US, so for an opportunity like this to come along is pretty cool.

“I've spoken to Mike Smith, who I know has ridden in Saudi a lot, and he just told me that I'll have the time of my life, so I couldn't be more excited.

“My season has been amazing so far and I couldn't have ever imagined that I'd be where I am now, with both an invite to the International Jockeys Challenge at The Saudi Cup and a nomination for an Eclipse Award.

“It will be amazing to line up against so many great jockeys, and a pleasure to ride alongside some of the world's best female jockeys who I've always looked up to.”

Joining the up-and-coming US star is Argentine rider Andrea Marinhas, who began her career in the US and is now based between the States and her native Argentina.

Marinhas (40) currently has 94 career wins to her name, with 15 of those coming this season, 11 in Argentina and four in the US.

Marinhas said: “I'm so pleased to have been invited. The first thing that came to my mind was I could be riding with many of my favourite jockeys! It will be a beautiful experience!

“My season has been great. I lead the national and La Plata racecourse female jockeys' statistics with 18 winners and an 18% strike-rate, so it's great to get some international recognition. The opportunity to compete against some of the world's best in Saudi is massive for me.”

Pyfer and Marinhas are the second and third female jockeys confirmed to ride in the IJC, after the UK's Hayley Turner, and will be joined by a further four female riders.

Seven male jockeys – five international and two home-based riders – will make up the 14 strong IJC field, with last year's winner Shane Foley and Australia's Glen Boss already confirmed.

The stc International Jockeys Challenge features four $400,000 handicaps, with a further $100,000 for the challenge itself and riders receiving 15 percent of prize money won.

The post Eclipse Finalist Jessica Pyfer Joins Cast For Saudi Arabian Jockeys Challenge appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Ortiz Scoops Big Prize In Saudi

Leading jockey Jose Ortiz rode four races Friday on the first of a two-day stint at King Abdulaziz Racetrack in the Saudi capital of Riyadh, and was able to boot home the winner of one of the program's feature races, guiding the U.S.-bred 6-year-old mare Avalina (Tale of Ekati) to a 3 3/4-length success in the $186,667 Prince Sultan Ben A/Aziz Cup over the metric 10 furlongs.

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.

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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71 Group 1 Winners Nominated To 2022 Saudi Cup Meeting

The 2022 Saudi Cup meeting has attracted over 700 entries from 22 different countries, including a remarkable 71 international Group 1 winners, all vying to pick up some of the $35.1 million prize money across the two-day meeting on Friday, Feb. 25 and Saturday, Feb. 26.

Reigning Saudi Cup champion Mishriff has already achieved impressive career earnings of $15 million, a figure that currently leaves him ninth in the list of all-time highest earning Thoroughbreds. If he were to record a historic second successive triumph in the third running of The Saudi Cup (1 1/8 miles), which will be run as a Group 1 for the first time, he would become the highest earning racehorse of all time, eclipsing Australian wondermare Winx.

Japan, a country that won two races on last year's Saudi Cup card, is responsible for over 90 entries at the meeting and is set to be represented in The Saudi Cup by T O Keynes, most recently seen landing the Champions Cup, a qualifying race for The Saudi Cup. Breeders' Cup Distaff winner Marche Lorraine is another who could take her place in the $20 million contest.

There is a strong US contingent with over 150 entries, including a number of high-profile contenders for The Saudi Cup. Breeders' Cup Classic winner and 2021 Saudi Cup fourth Knicks Go has been given an entry, along with Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile champion Life Is Good. Other possible runners from the US include Hot Rod Charlie, Mandaloun, and Midnight Bourbon.

South American superstar Aero Trem, currently in Dubai, has been entered, while there are some interesting European contenders, including Group 1 winners Sealiway, Skaletti, and Pyledriver.

Saudi Cup Undercard

The $2.5 million Group 3 Red Sea Turf Handicap (3000m) has attracted entries from 15 different countries. Japan Cup runner up Authority (JPN) and Deep Bond (JPN) could represent Japan, while Sisfahan (FR), Sonnyboyliston (IRE), Princess Zoe (GER) and Nayef Road (IRE) make up a deep European contingent.

Hollie Doyle landed the 2100m Group 3 Neom Turf Cup ($1.5 million, up from $1 million in 2021) on True Self last year, and there are some strong global entries including Lord North (IRE), Pyledriver (GB), Grand Glory (GB), Square De Luynes (FR) and the evergreen Lord Glitters (FR) from Europe. Japan have Authority (JPN), Sanrei Pocket (JPN) and So Valiant (JPN) entered, while Colonel Liam (USA) could run for America.

The Japanese have a strong entry in the Group 3 1351 Turf Sprint ($1.5 million up from $1 million in 2021), where Grenadier Guards (JPN) is guaranteed a spot after winning the Hanshin Cup. He could meet Ho O Amazon (JPN) and Songline (JPN), with Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint runner-up Lieutenant Dan (USA) an interesting US entry.

In the $1.5 million Group 3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint (1200m), the US look to hold a strong hand with Group 1 winners Dr Schivel (USA) and Kimari (USA), as well as the promising Cezanne (USA). The nine-year-old Secret Ambition (GB) could line-up, while last year's winner Copano Kicking (USA) is entered to defend his crown for Japan.

A strong Latin American entry includes both Irwin (ARG) and Prelude Rye (ARG) in the 1600m G3 Saudi Derby ($1.5 million). Smile Happy (USA), Newgrange (USA), MacKinnon (USA) and Rockefeller (USA) are possible runners from the US, and in the $2 million G2 Obaiya Arabian Classic, last year's one-two, the locally-trained stablemates Mubasher Alkhalediah (KSA) and Mutwakel Alkhalediah (KSA) are set to take each other on again.

International Jockeys Challenge, Saudi International Handicap and Al Mneefah on Friday

The highlight on the opening day of the meeting (Friday 25 February) is the stc International Jockeys Challenge where seven female and seven male jockeys from around the world compete against each other. Last year's winner Shane Foley from Ireland is back to defend his crown and other jockeys confirmed at this stage are the UK's Hayley Turner and Glen Boss from Australia.

Friday sees the second running of the $500k Saudi International Handicap, a race designed for horses trained in IFHA Part II or Part III countries, with horses entered from ten countries: Bahrain, Czech Republic, Greece, Italy, Norway, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden and Uruguay.

A new addition to the Friday card is the Listed Al Mneefah Cup, an international race for Purebred Arabians over 2100m on turf with prize money of $1 million.

Tom Ryan, Director of Strategy and International Racing at the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, said: “We couldn't be happier with the entries for the 2022 Saudi Cup meeting. Not only do we have a huge number, over 300 more than last year, but the quality is exceptional with 71 individual Group 1 winners, including last year's Saudi Cup champion Mishriff.

“We are also absolutely delighted to see that more countries have made entries, with 22 in total compared with 19 in 2021. That goes to show how quickly the Saudi Cup meeting has had an impact globally and become a key target for owners and trainers.

“It was such a proud moment for everyone at the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia when The Saudi Cup was promoted to a Group 1, as well as the supporting races achieving Group 3 status and the Obaiya Classic being upgraded from a Listed content to a Group 2. The support we have received from horsemen and women all over the world has been incredible and we look forward to welcoming everyone to Riyadh next month.”

Full entries list here

The post 71 Group 1 Winners Nominated To 2022 Saudi Cup Meeting appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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‘He Will Never Be Forgotten’: Frankie Dettori Set To Ride In Saturday’s Inaugural Prince Khalid Bin Abdullah Cup

Top international jockey Frankie Dettori's first ride of 2022 will carry extra significance, as he competes in the inaugural Prince Khalid Bin Abdullah Cup at Saudi Arabia's King Abdulaziz Racecourse on Saturday, Jan. 8, run in honor of the owner-breeder who died almost 12 months ago.

Dettori, well-known for his partnership with the Abdullah-owned superstar mare Enable, will ride Recovery Run, formerly trained by Andrew Balding, in Saturday's 2100-meter (about 1 5/16 miles) contest run on turf, which carries a pot of SAR 1m (approx. $266,000).

The meeting marks the second use of the turf track at King Abdulaziz this season as preparations continue for next month's Saudi Cup meeting on Feb. 25 and 26, and is also the first of six races open to Saudi's GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) neighbors. Dettori's mount, Recovery Run, is representing Bahrain-based trainer Allan Smith, who saddles two in the field.

The final race open to GCC countries is The Custodian of The Two Holy Mosques Cup (Domestic Group 1) on Jan. 29, where the winner will gain an automatic entry into the Group 1 Saudi Cup, the world's most valuable horse race.

Dettori, said: “Prince Khalid Bin Abdullah did amazing things for the sport of horse racing and it's a pleasure to ride in the race named in his honor. He will never be forgotten, and I'll be forever grateful for all the opportunities I was given to ride for him, not least Enable who gave us all such incredible memories.

“I've ridden in Saudi for years and the racing calendar out there is very strong now. Of course, there is The Saudi Cup meeting next month, but there are more good races with top prize money throughout the winter that make it an attractive option for the European jockeys. The dirt course is top class, and the turf track is beautiful. It's fresh every year, you really can't fault it.

“The Prince Khalid Bin Abdullah Cup on Saturday looks an interesting race, with plenty of familiar names in there like My Frankel and Fabilis. I remember I rode Crossed Baton to win the Derby Trial at Epsom a few years back and he only left John's [Gosden] last year, so he's interesting too. As for my horse, Recovery Run, he won his last start by 21 lengths, so I'd like to think he's got a good chance!”

Salem Binmahfooz, Director of Racing at the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, said: “It is fitting for the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia to honor the memory of Prince Khalid Bin Abdullah at King Abdulaziz Racecourse. This race is our contribution to continuing the tremendous global legacy left by Prince Khalid and it was considered highly appropriate by both his family and the JCSA that it should be held on our turf track and over the 2,100m distance at which some of his most famous horses excelled.

“We were very pleased to work with the family of Prince Khalid in staging this race and welcome all who were moved by the many unforgettable on course moments that Prince Khalid's racing operation has contributed to this sport over the years.”

In other news, Silvestre de Sousa has not only bagged himself a ride in Saturday's big race but is set to ride in Saudi throughout the winter having re-established an association with the country's leading owner, Prince Faisal.

On Saturday, the UK-based Brazilian will get the leg up on Fabilis, a 95-rated three-time winner for Ralph Beckett when racing in the famous pink and green silks of Abdullah's Juddmonte operation.

De Sousa said: “I'm flying out to Saudi on Thursday where I will mainly be riding for Prince Faisal Bin Khaled Bin Abdulaziz and his family over the next few months. It's a real honor to have been asked and I am looking forward to spending time out there. The racing is good quality and the people are so welcoming.”

The post ‘He Will Never Be Forgotten’: Frankie Dettori Set To Ride In Saturday’s Inaugural Prince Khalid Bin Abdullah Cup appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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